Press Release

Malta’s Envision 2050 sets out a bold national framework for the future, tackling issues of sustainability, governance, and wellbeing. It is an important and ambitious attempt to align Malta with long-term global challenges and opportunities. Yet, as the Malta Entertainment and Arts Association (MEIA) points out, the cultural and creative sectors are notably absent from the Vision’s priorities.

The MEIA proposal was issued as part of the public consultation launched by the Ministry on Envision 2050. In preparing it, MEIA consulted extensively with its members, advisory committees, and a broad range of stakeholders to ensure that the perspectives of the cultural and creative community were fully represented.

The proposal seeks to address the current omission in a constructive way, by setting out how culture and creativity can become cross-cutting forces within every pillar of the national vision.

While heritage is referenced in Envision 2050, the broader creative ecosystem is not represented. Crucially, the proposal notes that no formal consultation with MEIA or other cultural stakeholders took place in shaping the government’s document.

This lack of engagement risks leaving Malta’s long-term strategy incomplete and disconnected from one of the country’s most innovative and resilient communities. Recognising this, MEIA has put forward a proposal that not only fills this gap but also offers government and policymakers a clear framework for collaboration going forward.

A Proposal for Integration Across All Four Pillars

The proposal outlines practical measures to embed culture and creativity into Malta’s future strategy:

• Economic Growth: Positioning cultural and creative sectors (CCS) as strategic industries, supported by initiatives such as a Creative Economy Council, investment funds, creative clusters, and culture-led tourism strategies.
• Citizen-Centred Services: Ensuring equitable access to cultural participation through creative community hubs, integration of culture into healthcare and housing, and design-led service innovation.
• Resilience and Education: Embedding creative literacy, design thinking, and cultural resilience into education, while strengthening skills in conservation, heritage, and adaptive reuse.
• Smart Land and Sea Usage: Establishing culture as part of spatial planning and infrastructure, with tools such as cultural impact assessments, adaptive reuse incentives, and affordable creative spaces.

The proposal draws on international models where culture is treated as a driver of innovation and resilience, not a peripheral concern. Examples include Singapore’s Design 2025 Masterplan, Ireland’s Creative Ireland Programme, and the UAE’s Creative Economy Strategy. Aligning with the EU Culture Compass would also strengthen Malta’s access to funding and reinforce its credibility within European cultural policy.

This proposal is not a critique for its own sake, but an invitation to strengthen Malta’s vision. MEIA stresses that the integration of culture and creativity into Envision 2050 is not optional, but essential. By embedding culture across all pillars, Malta can position itself as a forward-thinking small state that leverages creativity as a strategic advantage in economy, wellbeing, and international influence.

The MEIA proposal marks the beginning of this conversation. The hope is that it will serve as the basis for genuine dialogue, consultation, and shared action, ensuring that Malta’s national vision for 2050 is resilient, inclusive, and culturally grounded.