Letters of commitment have been distributed to voluntary organisations set to benefit from €236,948.44 in funding through the 'More Inclusive Communities' Scheme for 2026, the Ministry for Inclusion and Volunteering said in a statement. These funds will enable the implementation of 39 projects over the coming months, aimed at strengthening inclusion, volunteering, and community participation across Malta and Gozo.
The selected projects span a wide range of sectors, including disability and accessibility, sport, health and well-being, youth, active ageing, culture, music, traditional heritage, education, safety, and environmental protection.
The letters of commitment were presented by the Minister for Inclusion and Volunteering Julia Farrugia and the Ministry's Permanent Secretary Stephanie Rocco.
Projects set to be implemented include a Down Syndrome Association Malta programme utilising swimming and reading to enhance life skills, the creation of safe spaces for individuals with autism by the Inspire Foundation, and an accessible community gym provided by the Birżebbuġa Sports Foundation. The Malta Rescue Corps in Gozo will carry out an initiative focused on first aid and emergency response skills, while the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Malta Foundation will create more accessible volunteering opportunities for young people.
Other projects include equine-assisted activities for well-being and environmental inclusion, nature-based learning and sailing experiences for youth, as well as sensory sessions and accessible climbing initiatives for people with diverse abilities.
The scheme will also support walking football to promote active and inclusive aging, intergenerational projects, and various accessibility initiatives in community spaces-such as accessible sanitary facilities, automatic doors, and lift installations. Cultural and musical organisations will also benefit from funding to preserve local heritage, upgrade their infrastructure, and open up their activities to broader participation.
All applications underwent a rigorous evaluation process. Each proposal was examined in detail based on eligibility, its relevance to the scheme's objectives, the organisation's financial and operational capacity, project sustainability, and the direct involvement of beneficiaries. Submitted budgets and quotations were also analysed to ensure that public funds are allocated transparently and in accordance with the principle of best value for money. Each project could be awarded a maximum of €10,000.
The projects are to be implemented over a maximum period of one year, between 1 September 2026 and 31 August 2027.
"This investment of nearly a quarter of a million euros is not merely funding for 39 projects, but a direct investment in people and our communities. We are providing voluntary organisations with the tools to transform good ideas into concrete actions that improve people's lives. Each project will create new opportunities for participation and further bring together individuals of different ages and abilities. This is how we build stronger, accessible, and inclusive communities, where no one is left behind," Farrugia said.
The More Inclusive Communities Scheme has two main objectives: to promote volunteering within local communities and to foster a culture of inclusion, the ministry said. Eligible projects had to align with either the National Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disability or the National Volunteering Strategy.
This is the third consecutive year the scheme has been implemented, with investment increasing year on year. Allocations amounted to €148,256.60 in 2024, followed by €192,870.70 in 2025 and €236,948.44 in 2026. Consequently, a total of €578,075.74 has been invested over the three-year period through this scheme to support initiatives that strengthen inclusion and volunteering within communities.