Malta's Urban Newsletter – Vol. 5/2025 Now Available!
As Malta’s Urban Contact Point (UCP) for EUI and National URBACT Point (NUP), the Local Government Division remains committed to supporting local authorities, stakeholders, and urban practitioners in designing innovative, resilient, and inclusive cities.
What’s Inside This Edition?
✨ EUI Innovative Action Call Launching in Early 2026
This issue highlights the upcoming EUI Innovative Action (IA) Call, expected to open in early 2026. With an indicative budget of €60 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the call will support ambitious, experimental projects aimed at tackling pressing urban challenges.
Priority will be given to:
-
Small and medium-sized cities
-
Municipalities with limited prior EU funding experience
-
Local authorities eager to pilot bold, creative ideas
This is a key opportunity for cities preparing to innovate, collaborate, and test new approaches to sustainable urban transformation.
🏛️ Good Practice Spotlight: Restoration Scheme in Gozo
The newsletter features the second call of the Built Heritage Restoration Scheme, administered by the Planning Authority and co-funded through ERDF.
This initiative supports the restoration of:
-
Privately owned heritage residential buildings
-
Grade 1 and Grade 2 scheduled properties
-
Properties located within Gozo’s Urban Conservation Areas (UCAs)
The scheme aims to preserve Malta’s architectural identity while revitalising local urban environments and promoting sustainable regeneration.
📅 Upcoming Event: URBACT City Festival 2026
Taking place from 31 March – 1 April 2026 in Nicosia, Cyprus, the URBACT City Festival will unite urban changemakers from across Europe.
Participants can expect:
-
Peer-learning sessions
-
Interactive workshops and labs
-
Insights into practical solutions for urban challenges
-
Networking opportunities with cities, experts, and practitioners
Attendance is free, with limited places available.
Stay Connected
This edition continues to build a growing community of urban practitioners across the Maltese Islands and beyond. Whether you're a policymaker, local authority representative, NGO, researcher, or active citizen, the newsletter helps you stay informed on the latest EU opportunities, local initiatives, and good practices.