The vision for Valletta 2018 was being created a good two years before the city submitted its bid in October, 2011. Working behind the scenes was The Valletta 2018 Foundation, an entity officially set up on the same day as the bid’s official submission but active long before in spirit if not name.  Its remit is to formulate, drive and implement the vision and strategy of Valletta 2018.

Critically, The Valletta 2018 Foundation provides a firm backbone to the evolution of Valletta 2018. It has strong buy-in from a range of important stakeholders and a sound, transparent governance structure; both aspects essential to seeing Valletta 2018 become a successful, sustainable reality.  

Who is The Valletta 2018 Foundation?

The V18 Foundation is currently led by a Board of Governors consisting of six members.  

These are:

• The Chair of the Inter-Ministerial Commission (IMC ECoC), who also serves as the Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Governors;
• The Mayor of the City of Valletta, who is also a co-founder of the Foundation;
• The President of the Association of Local Councils, who is also a co-founder of the Foundation;
• The Chair of the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts;
• The President of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry; and
• The Rector of the University of Malta.

Each has been appointed with a specific role to play as well as for its ability to act as a focal point for various sectors and groups, and to ensure strong coordination among fellow board members and with the public.

What roles are we talking about?

As the Valletta 2018 bid includes all local councils in Malta and Gozo, the board sees, for example, representation from the Association of Local Councils as essential to ensuring smooth coordination of V.18 among some 67 localities.  

The University of Malta is to act as a strong research arm to monitor the bid and year against its vision and objectives over the next six years and more.  While a key role of the Malta Chamber of Commerce is to involve the business community in V.18 not just as a partner or sponsor but also as an active participant in developing an innovative programme for the year.   

All members have similarly vital roles to play on the Board, distinct but collaborative.

The Foundation is to: 

• deliver and submit a bid entitled ‘V.18’ with the intention of incorporating all 68 Local Councils of Malta and Gozo for ECoC 2018;
• strive, through the preparations for the bid, to develop and improve cultural life in Valletta and in all localities of Malta and Gozo, and to transform Malta and Gozo into a Mediterranean and international cultural hub; and to
• implement the actions identified in the bid should this be successful.