Call for Delegates: Malta Named Focus Country for the 2025 Mediterranea Publishing Fellowship

The National Book Council (NBC) is proud to announce that Malta has been selected as the inaugural Focus Country at the 2025 Mediterranea Publishing Fellowship (MPF), set to take place in Cagliari from 2 – 4 September. This significant opportunity positions Malta at the centre of Mediterranean publishing discourse, offering unparalleled benefits for Maltese publishers, authors and other industry stakeholders.

The Fellowship, now in its second edition, is an initiative designed to facilitate Mediterranean cultural exchange and professional development. The 2024 edition received over 600 applications for just 10 fellowship positions, demonstrating the publishing sector’s strong interest in cross-cultural collaboration. With Malta as the first-ever Focus Country, Maltese publishing professionals will gain unique access to international networks, knowledge-sharing sessions, and rights acquisition opportunities.

As part of this initiative, Maltese delegates will have direct engagement with international publishers, fostering collaborations that can lead to new licensing agreements and translation opportunities. MPF will curate a tailored rights catalogue based on Literature from Malta, the 2025 foreign rights catalogue published by the National Book Council. The catalogue will showcase Maltese literary works to international buyers and provide structured support to help MPF participants navigate Malta’s translation grant schemes.

Delegates will also participate in industry-focused workshops, mentorship sessions with experienced professionals, and targeted networking opportunities designed to facilitate long-term business relationships. The programme will allow participants to exchange best practices, gain insights into global market trends, and develop strategies for promoting Maltese literature beyond local borders.

The 8–10 delegates will be selected from the following groups:

• Authors (context providers)
• Publishers (rights models)|
• Cultural Experts (narrative archivists) 

Beyond the direct benefits for Maltese publishers, the National Book Council’s role in initiatives like the Mediterranean Publishing Fellowship reflects a growing commitment to strengthening and internationalising the local publishing sector. By actively participating in these initiatives, the NBC is ensuring that local stakeholders have access to international markets, fostering greater collaboration with foreign publishers, and securing new opportunities for Maltese literature to thrive beyond national borders. This increased presence on the international stage will create lasting pathways for Maltese literature to reach new audiences and enhance its visibility in global markets.

The call for delegates opens on 28 February 2025, with applications closing on 18 March 2025. The selected delegates will be announced by 31 March 2025. In preparation for the fellowship, pre-MPF webinars will take place in April, focusing on funding opportunities, and in May, addressing Malta’s storytelling tradition.

Those interested are invited to apply through this link.