PRESS RELEASE BY THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIAT FOR YOUTH, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION AND THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIAT FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT EIT Culture & Creativity Office Inaugurated in Malta to Strengthen the Local Creative Sector

Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research, and Innovation Keith Azzopardi Tanti, together with the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli and the CEO of EIT Culture & Creativity Anette Schaefer, inaugurated the new EIT Culture & Creativity office in Malta. This office will operate from Xjenza Malta at Villa Bighi, in close collaboration with the EIT Community Hub.

The office, which forms part of the EIT Regional Centre South, will serve as a national contact point to facilitate access to European programs and foster new partnerships within the country's cultural and creative ecosystem. This initiative is designed to provide concrete support to the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI), while strengthening Malta's role within the European innovation network.

In his intervention, Parliamentary Secretary Keith Azzopardi Tanti emphasized the importance of this step for the future of Maltese research and talent. “By connecting Maltese creatives, researchers, and entrepreneurs with a strong European innovation network, we are opening new opportunities for collaboration, investment, and growth in our sectors. This initiative further strengthens Malta's commitment to fostering innovation and supporting talent in a rapidly evolving global landscape," stated Parliamentary Secretary Azzopardi Tanti.

For her part, Parliamentary Secretary Alison Zerafa Civelli said that the launch of the EIT Culture & Creativity office in Malta marks a transformative moment for local councils and our creative communities. She explained that this office will assist not only in the preservation of culture but will also be a powerful driver for economic and social growth. “Our goal is clear: to empower every Maltese artist and local authority to together create a future where creativity drives sustainable development in every corner of our islands," concluded Parliamentary Secretary Zerafa Civelli.

The CEO of EIT Culture & Creativity, Anette Schaefer, expressed her satisfaction with this new presence in Malta, highlighting that the collaboration with Xjenza Malta will allow the impact of local creative organizations to grow significantly on a European level.

The inauguration, held at Esplora, also included a series of workshops and a panel discussion with experts such as Angelica Monaco and Omar Cutajar, where themes such as access to finance and societal transformation through creativity were explored. As part of this effort, Xjenza Malta also announced the upcoming pilot project of the EIT Regional Innovation Booster, aimed at offering specialized support to startups and businesses expanding within Malta's creative ecosystem.