Introduction

The Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) is participating in the SPACE Erasmus Project, an international initiative on social prescribing funded by the European Commission. More details can be found here: SPACE Erasmus Project

As part of this project, MCVS will coordinate a civic engagement programme in Malta, starting in February 2026, where 24 patients will take part in moderate gardening activities over a period of six to nine months. During this time, participants will be periodically evaluated to measure changes in their mental health and to assess the impact of green social prescribing and nature therapy.

This programme is being carried out across five EU countries and aims to develop of an evidence-based model that can be scaled, integrated into EU healthcare systems, and replicated by interested organisations.

Call for Participation

MCVS is currently seeking to partner with one to two organisations in Malta to collaborate on the pilot programme. We are particularly looking for environmental voluntary organisations, nature community groups, or public entities who:

• Have experience in nature-based activities, volunteer coordination and sensitivity towards mental well-being
• Manage one or more green spaces such as community gardens, urban gardens or public green areas
• can host a minimum of 6 volunteers per 2-hour session, with the capacity to accommodate up to 12 or 18 volunteers at a particular green space
• Can appoint a volunteer coordinator to guide participants through gardening activities
• Can commit to a minimum of 6 months

Other Details

The exact frequency of the sessions per month and the overall duration of the programme will be determined by the project leads by the end of September 2025. This means that green space partners and volunteer coordinators will need to remain available according to the frequency expectations set by the project leads. However, green space partners will have the flexibility to decide the specific dates and opening hours of the sessions based on their availability. MCVS will reimburse, in full or in part, the staff costs of the appointed volunteer coordinator for each green space partner. In addition, green space partners and their volunteer coordinators will be required to attend an induction event, where they will meet other local project stakeholders such as healthcare practitioners and data evaluators. This event will ensure that all parties are familiar with the various aspects of the project and can move forward in a coordinated and collaborative manner.


Participation Incentives

• Entities and professionals participating in this project are eligible for nomination for the SPACE Awards at the International Policy Conference in Brussels, September 2027.
• Participants will be able to collaborate with international organisations and expand their network with other health, social and environmental entities across the EU.

Application:
Please submit your interest by filling in this google form by Sunday 21st September: https://forms.gle/yzex5Ty9krV6vXjR9

In the meantime, we are at your disposal to answer any queries you might have. Please contact us on volunteer@maltacvs.org or on 22481134, we are happy to organise meetings to clarify further regarding the project.