The Intercultural and
Anti-Racism Unit is Malta’s entry point to migrant integration. The Unit
seeks to assist all persons of migrant background residing in Malta on their
individual path to integration.
As part of the
Migrant Integration Strategy & Action Plan (Vision 2020), the 'I Belong’
Programme aims to provide a holistic approach to integration. The first step in
this direction would be through the knowledge of the country’s official
languages and cultural awareness.
Together with MCAST and University of Malta, the Intercultural and Anti-Racism Unit offers Maltese and English language and Cultural Orientation courses at two stages. The language courses focus on daily use to facilitate a person’s integration into society. The cultural orientation covers the social, cultural, economic, and historical aspects of Malta and the constitution, law and democratic values. All courses are free of
charge unless they may be subject to payment to repeat the course.
What is
included in the Stages?
The courses are
offered in two stages:
- Stage 1:
Pre-Integration Certificate with a total of 60 hours,
- Stage 2:
Integration Certificate with a total of 170 hours
Stage 1: Pre-Integration Certificate
Stage 1 consists
of the following courses to be delivered by MCAST in Mosta or Paola:
1. Maltese
language for integration (MQF Level 1) - 20 hours
2. English language
for integration (MQF Level 1) - 20 hours
3. Cultural
orientation* (MQF Level 1) – 20 hours
Each course
requires 80% attendance and 50% pass mark in order to receive a certificate.
After receiving
the Stage 1 certificate, applicants may progress to Stage 2.
Stage 2: Integration Certificate
Stage 2, which is
one of the requirements for Long-Term Residence Status for Third Country
Nationals, contains the following courses delivered by the University of Malta and by MCAST:
1. Maltese language
for integration (MQF Level 2) - 50 hours
2. Cultural
orientation (MQF Level 2) - 120 hours
A 65% pass mark
is required to receive the Maltese Language for Integration. 80% attendance and
75% pass mark is required in order to receive the Cultural Orientation
Certificate.
Applicants will
be awarded a certificate upon successful completion of the courses.
Supplementary Courses: Foundation Courses
Recognising the need for literacy courses in English and Maltese, HRD has partnered up with Lifelong Learning to provide foundation courses in English and Maltese. The courses are not officially part of the ‘I Belong’ Programme, however they are set up in a way to facilitate access to the programme by providing the necessary language skills.
The courses are being held at Msida and Mriehel. Each Skill Kit is of a total of 28 hours. The courses are provided free of charge to students unless they may be subject to payment to repeat the course.
WHAT IS The Process?
1. Submit
Application Stage
You can apply for the ‘I Belong Courses’ by visiting us at our offices in Paola or via online application form.
2.
Registration of Integration Application Form
The Integration Officers will confirm the receipt of your Application Form and will inform you of your File Number.
3. Integration
Request Meeting
HRD will contact you for a one-to-one meeting, which can be conducted at the office or online, to draw up your Personal Integration Plan.
4.
Implementation of Personal Integration Plan
The Personal
Integration Plan can include:
- Attendance of
Stage 1 Courses
- Continuation to
Stage 2 Courses
- Attendance of Literacy courses in English and/or Maltese
- Specialised
assistance
5. Way Forward
After receiving the Stage 1 Pre-Integration Certificate you can register for the Stage 2 Integration Certificate. Successful completion of the Stage 1 Pre-Integration Certificate counts as one of the requestions for the Specific Residence Authorisation (SRA) in Malta
Successful completion of the Stage 2 Integration Certificate counts as one of the requirements for Long-Term Status (LTR) in Malta.
If you require any further assistance from the Intercultural and Anti-Racism Unit, feel free to contact us here. - This project is part-financed by the European Union - Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2014-2020. Responsible Authority eufunds.gov.mt.
