The Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) on Saturday, 16th May 2026, held its Annual National Conference, this year focusing on “The Future of Volunteering: Strengthening Sustainable Communities.”
As in previous years, the event brought together leaders, volunteers, and key stakeholders to discuss how the voluntary sector can adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving society.
Keynote sessions
The conference featured keynote presentations addressing:
- AI as a Tool for Impact and Strengthening the Voluntary Sector for the Future, delivered by Prof. Alexiei Dingli, Professor of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Information & Communication Technology, University of Malta – click HERE to download it.
- Sustaining a Voluntary Organisation in an Evolving Community, delivered by Ms Maria C. Borg, Chairperson of the Malta Sociological Association (MSA) – click HERE to download it.
Workshops and information
Interactive workshops were then facilitated by sector leaders, focusing on Youth Volunteering and Future Leadership and Sustainable Voluntary Organisations: Funding, Governance, and Community Impact in Practice. MCVS would like to thank Mr Clive Bonnici, Ms Graziella Schiavone, Ms Rachel Aquilina, and Mr Antonello Gauci for moderating these sessions.
On the other hand, dedicated information stands by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS), Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta (SEM), the European Union Programmes Agency (EUPA), and Melita were also available throughout the event, providing attendees with the opportunity to explore funding schemes, support services, and other initiatives available to voluntary organisations. MCVS would like to thank representatives from SEM, EUPA and Melita for their presence and support.
Research presentation
The final segment of the conference included the presentation of A study on the Voluntary Sector in Malta by Prof. Vincent Marmara, Statistician and Professor at the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy, University of Malta. This study will be published in the near future.
Closing remarks
The conference concluded with interventions by the Minister for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector, Hon. Julia Farrugia, and by MCVS Chairperson Dr Gertrude Buttigieg.
Launch of Simplygiving.mt Phase 2
The event also featured the official launch of Simplygiving.mt Phase 2, presented by MCVS CEO Mr Pace Parascandalo, introducing individual fundraising initiatives. More information is available at simplygiving.mt.
MCVS extends its sincere gratitude to all participants for their presence and valuable contributions towards shaping the present and future of volunteering in Malta.
