Arts Council Malta launches Newspapers Support Grant Scheme

Fully cognisant of the sector’s current situation with limited financial and human resources, the scheme seeks to support and facilitate ways and means how to address the present challenges.

Strands

The proposed scheme is divided in two strands:

• Strand 1 aims at supporting linguistic services for print newspapers in the Maltese language. Newspapers published in Maltese will benefit from financial support towards linguistic development including orthography and improvement of journalistic expression in terms of style, clarity, syntax, and semantics. Elements like conciseness, political correctness, clear articulation, and analytical thinking may be addressed professionally and in line with international standards.
• Strand 2 aims at supporting expenditure for the creation of regular arts, culture, and heritage content designed to disseminate knowledge to readers about cultural aspects via features, articles and pictorial material in view of promoting events and projects to attract new audiences. Print-based media in Malta is encouraged to feature recognition towards the importance of arts, culture, and heritage as seminal contributors to citizens’ wellbeing in contemporary society.

Funding Information

• Maximum eligible amount per project
  • Strand 1 – EUR 12,000
  • Strand 2 – EUR 20,000

Eligible Activities

• The scheme supports the below activities:
  • Strand 1: 
    • Attendance to proofreading courses in the Maltese language; –
    • Attendance to refreshers instruction courses in the use of the Maltese language and its constant evolvement;
    • Instruction in idiom and stylistic qualities for journalistic writing in the Maltese language for print media;
    • Outsourcing of linguistic services such as subber and proofreading services.
  • Strand 2: 
    • Attendance to short courses in Maltese and/or English language studies, journalism, and creative writing for the print media;
    • Publication of advertorial material promoting arts, culture, and heritage;
    • Remuneration for editors and/or contributors of pages and supplements dedicated to arts, culture, and heritage content that feature on a regular basis;
    • Writing of reviews and critiques of activities related to arts, culture, and heritage such as exhibitions, performances, tours, and television productions.

Eligibility Criteria

• The grant is open to undertakings and voluntary organisations that carry out an economic activity within the meaning of Article 107 TFEU (for which assistance will be granted in line with the de minimis Regulation), as well as those applicants that do not carry out an economic activity within the meaning of Article 107 TFEU. Applicants must qualify as one of the following:
  • Company registered with the Malta Business Registry;
  • Voluntary organisation enrolled with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations.

Ineligibility Criteria

• The following are not eligible to apply for the Newspapers Support Scheme:
  • Applicants/activities receiving local public funds through established Government line-votes.
  • Applicants whose profile is not verified due to it being an incomplete profile for not having the mandatory documents.
  • Applicants who do not qualify under the definition of applicant for this specific scheme.
  • Beneficiaries who have not honoured previous funding commitments.

For more information, visit Arts Council Malta.