The Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association (MEIA) acknowledges the importance of investing in large-scale events and attracting international audiences to Malta. Such initiatives can play a meaningful role in strengthening the country’s cultural, entertainment and tourism offer.However, MEIA is concerned that the recently announced €10 million Large Scale Events Support Scheme, now administered by Festivals Malta, raises a number of questions relating to transparency, consultation, eligibility, governance and long-term cultural policy.

According to reports, the €10 million scheme was launched with a short application window, with applicants given approximately three weeks to prepare and submit proposals for grants of up to €2 million per project. The scheme is focused on events featuring internationally recognised headliners and is being administered by Festivals Malta, while similar funding was previously associated with the Malta Tourism Authority.

MEIA has already written to Festivals Malta requesting urgent clarification on a number of points, including whether the scheme is being funded through resources previously allocated to MTA-related large events funding, whether any prior consultation took place with potential applicants, and what safeguards are in place to ensure a fair and balanced distribution of public funds.

“We are not questioning the value of large-scale events or the role they can play in Malta’s cultural and tourism landscape,” MEIA said. “Our concern is that public investment of this scale must be guided by clear strategy, transparent governance and meaningful consultation with the wider sector.”

MEIA notes that the scheme appears to place a strong emphasis on international music-led events. While this may support certain tourism objectives, it also raises wider questions about balance across Malta’s cultural and creative ecosystem, particularly at a time when many local cultural operators, independent producers and organisations across disciplines such as theatre, dance, multidisciplinary arts and festivals continue to face limited access to sustainable funding.

The eligibility criteria reported for the scheme may also restrict access to a relatively small number of operators. For example, Category 1 applicants seeking up to €2 million must demonstrate at least 10 years’ experience and have produced three events in the last three years, each with budgets exceeding €2 million. Even the lowest tier reportedly requires applicants to have produced two projects in the past two years with budgets of at least €500,000.

MEIA believes that public funds should not only support major headline events, but should also contribute to the long-term development of Malta’s cultural infrastructure, local talent, technical capacity, creative entrepreneurship and diverse artistic disciplines.

The Association is therefore calling for:

1. Clear public clarification on the source and purpose of the €10 million allocation;
2. Transparency on the evaluation process, including the composition, expertise and conflict-of-interest safeguards of the Evaluation Committee;
3. An explanation of the short application timeframe and whether any prior consultation or advance notice was provided;
4. Safeguards to avoid concentration of funding among a limited number of operators or related entities;
5. A more balanced cultural investment strategy that supports both international event attraction and the sustainable development of Malta’s wider creative sector;
6. National events and cultural tourism strategies to ensure that public investment is aligned with long-term cultural, economic and social objectives.

MEIA reiterates that it remains open to constructive dialogue with Festivals Malta, the Malta Tourism Authority,and all relevant public bodies.

“This is not a call against investment in large-scale events,” MEIA said. “It is a call for fairness, clarity and strategic direction. A €10 million public fund must be designed and administered in a way that strengthens the setcor.”

MEIA urges the authorities to provide the requested clarifications without delay and to engage with stakeholders before proceeding further, in the interest of transparency, accountability and the sustainable development of Malta’s cultural and entertainment sectors.