Request for Applications: Micro Grant Program (Malta)

Deadline: 13-Oct-2026

The Micro Grant Program by Arts Council Malta provides one-time funding of up to EUR 3,000 per project to individual artists and creative practitioners in Malta. The grant supports capacity-building expenses such as equipment, materials, supporting services, and creative spaces that are directly connected to an artistic, cultural, creative, heritage, media, or creative business activity. The program particularly encourages new applicants who have not received Arts Council Malta funding during the past three years to access public investment and develop their professional creative practice. What Is the Arts Council Malta Micro Grant Program? The Micro Grant Program is an Arts Council Malta funding opportunity designed to help individual artists and creative practitioners develop artistic work and strengthen their professional practice. It forms part of Arts Council Malta’s wider strategy to nurture creative potential and support the development of creative activity into professional practice. A particular focus of the program is encouraging artists and creative practitioners who have not recently benefited from Arts Council Malta funding to access public investment in Malta’s arts and creative sectors. Purpose of the Micro Grant The grant is intended to provide practical support that helps artists and creative practitioners develop their capacity and carry out creative activities. Funding can support capacity-building requirements that are directly linked to a project, activity, or event within the cultural and creative sector. The program can therefore help applicants obtain the resources needed to: - Develop artistic work. - Strengthen professional creative practice. - Purchase or access essential equipment. - Obtain materials required for a project. - Access supporting professional services. - Secure appropriate creative or project-related space. - Develop activities within the cultural and creative sectors. What Activities and Sectors Can Be Supported? The Micro Grant applies to activities connected with Malta’s wider cultural and creative sector.

Relevant areas include:

- Arts and artistic practice. - Creative business services. - Cultural activities. - Heritage. - Media. - Other activities within the cultural and creative sector. The key requirement is that the requested capacity-building support must be directly connected to a project, activity, or event. What Can the Micro Grant Pay For? The program is designed to support capacity-building items that are directly linked to the applicant’s proposed creative activity.

Eligible support can include:

- Supporting services: Services needed to develop or deliver the project.

- Equipment: Equipment directly required for the artistic or creative activity.

- Materials: Materials needed to create or develop the work.

- Space: Space directly connected to the project, activity, or event.

Applicants should be able to explain why each requested item is necessary and how it contributes to the proposed artistic or professional development activity. How Much Funding Is Available? The maximum eligible amount under the Micro Grant is: Up to EUR 3,000 per project. The grant is designed as a one-time funding opportunity, meaning applicants should identify the specific capacity-building needs that will have the greatest direct benefit for their proposed project or creative practice. Who Is Eligible? The Micro Grant is intended for individual artists and creative practitioners in Malta. Applicants must meet the program’s requirements concerning previous Arts Council Malta funding and their legal status in Malta.

Eligible applicants must:

- Be individual artists or creative practitioners. - Have not received funding from Arts Council Malta during the three-year period from 2024 to 2026. - Be Maltese citizens or hold an accepted Malta residence or citizenship document. - Carry out or propose eligible activities within the cultural and creative sector. Citizenship and Residency Requirements Applicants must have an eligible connection to Malta. The program is open to individuals who are: - Maltese citizens; or - Hold a Malta residence permit; or - Hold a citizenship certificate; or - Hold a Malta passport. Applicants should ensure that they can provide the relevant documentation demonstrating their eligibility. Previous Arts Council Malta Funding Requirement One of the most important eligibility conditions is the applicant’s previous funding history. Applicants must not have received funding from Arts Council Malta during 2024, 2025, or 2026. This condition makes the Micro Grant particularly relevant to artists and creative practitioners who are new to Arts Council Malta funding or who have not benefited from its funding during the specified three-year period. Applicants should check their previous funding history before preparing an application.

Eligibility of Undertakings and Economic Activities

The Micro Grant is also open to applicants who are considered undertakings carrying out an economic activity within the meaning of Article 107 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). This means the program can cover eligible applicants whose creative activity falls within the relevant definition of an economic activity under EU state-aid rules. Applicants falling into this category should ensure that their proposed activity and application comply with the applicable requirements of the funding program. Why the Micro Grant Matters Early-stage and independent artists often need relatively small investments to develop their work professionally. A limited amount of funding for equipment, materials, services, or creative space can help an artist move from an idea to a completed project or strengthen their ability to work professionally. The Micro Grant addresses this need by providing a relatively small, targeted investment of up to EUR 3,000. The program also encourages broader participation in public arts funding by specifi