The I Belong programme was launched in 2018, first opening for registration in August 2018.

The goal of the programme is to make the process of integration more accessible. Integration into the Maltese society may be particularly challenging if one does not already possess some knowledge of either Maltese or English.

A streamlined approach which provides integration courses through two accredited educational institutions makes meeting the long-term residence requirements more manageable, too. 

The beneficiaries include all third-country nationals based in Malta who apply.

Individuals have to submit a formal integration request (possible also online here) to the Integration Unit of the Human Rights and Integration Directorate, after which a personal plan is set up for them with the help of a caseworker. The programme is divided into two stages:

Stage one: pre-integration certificate (60 hours)

Candidates who join this course take Maltese (20 hours) and English (20 hours) language courses, as well as a basic societal orientation course (20 hours), all at MQF Level 1. This part of the I Belong programme is offered by the Malta College for Arts Science and Technology (MCAST) and is meant to ensure cultural and societal orientation, as well as an appraisal of the applicant’s academic qualifications, trade, work experience and skills. Completion of the Pre-Integration Certificate is mandatory for applicants who wish to continue into Stage two.

Stage two: qualification for long-term residence status (170 hours) 

This stage consists of a further cultural orientation training (120 hours) with an added focus on law and democratic values, and Maltese language (50 hours), both at the MQF Level 2. The courses in Stage 2 are provided by the University of Malta. Participants who pass the final assessment are then awarded with an integration certificate, alongside a transcript of their qualifications. The applicants work experience and skills are also assessed and accredited.

Applicants are also provided with integration support in order to enter into formal employment, as well when faced with possible issues pertaining to documentation, housing, access to healthcare, education, and more.

The last step in the I Belong programme is the final integration assessment during which the applicant and the Integration Unit will discuss the applicant’s itinerary and complete a final integration assessment.

At the Annual Integration Conference in December 2019, the Ministry of European Affairs and Equality announced that up to that point, the I Belong program recorded the following results:

Stage one 

• 1 960 applicants came from 52 different countries (the largest number of applicants came from Serbia, followed by applicants from Libya, the Philippines and Somalia); most applications were submitted from the localities of San Pawl il-Bahar, Sliema and Birkirkara, and most of the applicants came; 
• Most applicants were 35 to 49 years old;
• So far, two graduation ceremonies for the first stage of I Belong have taken place, with a total of 210 students graduating until the end of 2019

Stage two

• 227 applicants were submitted, with 182 students following the course as of December 2019;
• The first cohort of students is due to complete the course in 2020  

A full evaluation of the impact is yet to be published.

However, at the Annual Integration Conference in December 2019, it was also confirmed that the courses will continue with the inclusion of even more people. In addition, an awareness campaign will also take place, and the number of cultural mediators in public services will be increased, together with the integration activities provided. Strengthening of the collaboration with migrant NGOs and organisations is also foreseen, and outreach activities will continue in order to reach areas of Malta where registration is less common.

The programme was set up by the Maltese Ministry of European Affairs and Equality (MEAE). Funding is provided under a co-financing scheme by the European Union's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) for 2014-2020, with 75 percent covered  by the EU and the other 25 by the Maltese government.