Malta FA and Arts Council Malta open applications for new SportArti scheme

The Malta FA, in collaboration with Arts Council Malta, has officially launched the SportArti initiative, a fund designed to bring arts and culture into football nursery environments across Malta and Gozo.

Developed as part of an ongoing collaboration between the Malta FA and Arts Council Malta, SportArti encourages football nurseries and clubs to work alongside creative practitioners to deliver innovative projects that enrich the experience of young players through artistic and cultural engagement.

The scheme aims to strengthen the links between sport and the creative sector while promoting inclusion, teamwork, personal development and community participation.

The initiative is open to football nurseries that are members of the Youth Football Association (YFA) and the Gozo Youth Football Association (GYFA).

At the heart of it, SportArti seeks to introduce creative practitioners into football nursery environments, while encouraging innovative collaborations between football nurseries and the cultural and creative sectors. It also focuses on enhancing the personal development of young athletes through artistic experience and promoting community engagement and strengthening ties with local artistic communities. The initiative aims to foster excellence and innovation in the integration of arts and culture within football programmes.

WHO CAN APPLY?

Applications are open to voluntary organisations registered and compliant with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations that operate as registered football nurseries and are members of the YFA or GYFA.

Registered football clubs affiliated with the Malta FA which cater for children aged between five and 12 years can also apply.

FUNDING AVAILABLE

The scheme offers grants of up to €5,000 per project, with funding covering up to 100% of eligible project costs.

Successful applicants will receive 70% of the grant upon signing of the agreement, with the remaining 30% being received following the approval of the final project report.

Projects must be implemented between 1st October 2026 and 30th April 2027.

Eligible costs covered by the scheme include artistic fees, project management, training, equipment, marketing, travel, and other expenses directly related to the implementation of the project.

COLLABORATION AT THE HEART OF THE SCHEME

Each proposal must involve collaboration with one or more creative practitioners and should demonstrate how arts and culture can positively contribute to the development of young players and the wider football community.

Projects will be evaluated on four main criteria:

• Project concept and innovation;
• Project management and participant development;
• Audience and community engagement;
• Budget planning and sustainability

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications must be submitted online by 28th July 2026 at 12:00hrs (noon).

The results will be communicated on 15th September 2026.

Football nurseries and clubs interested in applying are encouraged to begin planning their projects early and to explore new ways of integrating creativity and culture into their programmes.

For further information and assistance regarding the SportArti scheme, applicants may contact Arts Council Malta and the Malta FA through the channels indicated in the official guidelines.