Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544603
THE voluntary sector in Mal- ta is strong and getting even stronger thanks to growing sup-port from the government, private entities and well-wish- ers who donate whenever their support is required. Volunteers keep our tradi- tions alive, do sterling work in the social and philanthrop- ic sectors, and provide health and protection services, among other forms of support. They make up the core of what is today a generous and vibrant Maltese society. This is why we are always ready, able and willing to help our volunteers expand their ex-perience by witnessing the realities other volunteers across the world face every day. This in turn helps them refine their skills in the face of the inevitability of new challenges and situations. As we celebrate the UN Inter- national Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, it is with much contentment that we continue to ensure our vol- unteers are provided with op- portunities to do overseas vol- untary work. During the past nine years, 182 young men and women from 43 different vol- untary organisations in Malta and Gozo have been to places like Kenya, Ghana, the Philip- pines, Cambodia, Paraguay and Peru, where they played a fun- damental part in school-build- ing projects, teaching, improv- ing sanitary fa-cilities, food distribution, and participating in hygiene and health cam- paigns. This of course would not have been possible without institu- tional support. In this case a total investment of €227,000 was made in the Youth Volun- teer Overseas Scheme is-sued by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS). The scheme helps 18-to-35- year-olds go on overseas vol- untary work for a period of be-tween a fortnight and three months. A €2,500 grant cov- ers mobility, flights and insur- ance expenses. Young men and women in the voluntary sector can, through their respective registered organisations, still participate in this programme by submitting their appli- ca-tions via the MCVS portal volunteers.mt. We are also providing for an over-35-year- old leader to be included; to help in the coordination and implementation of the project en-trusted to them. It was a pleasure, recently, vis- iting Karibu Malta, the volun- teer organisation based at Mar- sa and working in the sector since 2013. The organisation assists and finances mis-sion- ary work in various countries where basic educational sup- port is essential. The Youth Volunteer Overseas Scheme has been crucial in helping the organisation send members on projects abroad. During our meeting, I ex- plained the government's strong commitment to bolster- ing the voluntary sector by way of encouraging positive social change among the younger gen-eration. The investment in the Youth Volunteer Overseas Scheme and other initiatives clearly show where our prior- ities lie—the creation of op- portunities, active citizens, and putting Malta at the forefront in the promotion of European values such as solidarity and inclusion. Going overseas to gain such experiences gives our youth the tonic they need in life and a unique feeling as they bond with other young men and women from around the world. They come back to us stronger in their convictions, their aspirations, and their per- spec-tives, ensuring Maltese society and the voluntary sec- tor benefit from their renewed dedi-cation and motivation. Minister for inclusion and the voluntary sector 8 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 APRIL 2026 OPINION Julia Farrugia In praise of our volunteers They come back to us stronger in their convictions, their aspirations, and their perspectives, ensuring Maltese society and the voluntary sector benefit from their renewed dedication and motivation Minister for European funds and the implementation of the electoral programme Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi The Italia–Malta Interreg Programme matters more than we think FOR island communities, co- operation may feel instinctive. Trade, mobility, family ties and shared culture have long linked Malta and Sicily. Yet, meaningful cooperation, the kind that turns shared challenges into shared solutions, does not happen by chance. It requires structure, continuity and the right instru- ments to translate proximity into impact. One such instrument is the In- terreg Italia–Malta Programme. Often operating quietly, it is one of the most concrete ways Malta and Sicily work together on issues affecting people on both sides of the sea. During 2021–2027, the programme covers the entire Maltese archipelago and nine Si- cilian provinces, an area home to more than five million people. It is supported by €46 million in EU funding, rising to almost €58 mil- lion with national co-financing, dedicated to joint solutions rath- er than parallel national efforts. It is easy to view Interreg as just another European funding scheme. In practice, it is among the EU's most pragmatic tools. It recognises that neighbouring ter- ritories face common constraints: limited land and resources, ex- posure to climate change, pres- sure on marine ecosystems and economies dominated by small businesses. Problems such as pol- lution, skills shortages or climate risks do not stop at borders. Ef- fective responses should not stop at borders either. Malta participates in several Interreg programmes, each with different purpose. Some focus on policy learning across Europe, others on wider Mediterranean cooperation. Italia–Malta stands apart for its territorial focus. It is specifically designed around the everyday realities of two neigh- bouring island territories, where shared challenges are immediate and practical. During 2014–2020, joint pro- jects delivered concrete results: Water reuse pilots, digital health tools, labour mobility initiatives, marine protection measures, plastic waste technologies and nature based solutions to reduce flooding. These were not abstract studies, but initiatives that deliv- ered visible benefits. That experience also brought lessons and new opportunities for collaboration between local councils, universities, businesses and other entities from the two islands. Results need to be car- ried forward, small businesses need more tailored support, and cooperation between institutions works best when it lasts beyond a project cycle. The current pro- gramme reflects these lessons, with a stronger focus on continu- ity and measurable impact. A targeted call launched in late 2025 attracted strong interest, particularly in climate resilience, circular economy solutions and skills development. This shows cooperation is driven not just by funding, but by real needs that national policies cannot address alone. Flexibility is another strength. Projects are delivered where they make most sense, as long as ben- efits are shared: a pilot in Sicily can improve services in Malta, and Maltese expertise can build capacity across the channel. The border becomes a shared space, not a dividing line. People and small businesses remain central. SMEs underpin both economies but often lack the capacity for innovation, digi- talisation or greener practices. Through joint advisory servic- es, applied research and skills de- velopment, the programme helps them adapt, while cross border training and recognised qualifi- cations expand opportunities. As debates on the future EU budget focus on impact and sim- plification, territorially focused programmes such as Italia–Malta make a strong case. They deliver tangible improvements while supporting wider goals, from cli- mate resilience to competitive- ness and social cohesion. Cooperation between Mal- ta and Sicily is not only about managing shared challenges; it is about building resilience and finding new solutions together. At a time when Europe seeks programmes that are practical and effective, Italia–Malta shows that regional cooperation deliv- ers real value and helps shape a more sustainable future. Cooperation between Malta and Sicily is not only about managing shared challenges; it is about building resilience and finding new solutions together