Victoria 2031 Foundation has launched an open call for artistic and cultural proposals as it prepares for the final stage of its bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2031.

The initiative invites submissions from artists, organisations, collectives, businesses and NGOs in Malta and abroad, as part of efforts to shape the cultural programme that will be presented in the city’s final Bid Book.

The proposals will be considered for inclusion in the programme that will form the basis of Victoria, Gozo’s candidature, ahead of the final selection process scheduled for later this year.

Victoria is currently the sole Maltese city to have advanced to the final stage of the European Capital of Culture competition, following an initial evaluation process completed in late 2025.

The European Capital of Culture is a long-running EU initiative aimed at promoting cultural diversity, international collaboration and sustainable cultural development across member states.

The final selection, expected in September 2026, will determine whether Victoria is awarded the title for Malta in 2031.

The open call forms part of a broader effort to build a programme that reflects both local identity and wider European themes, while encouraging experimentation and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

The foundation is encouraging submissions that respond to its overarching vision, which frames Gozo as an “Island of Islands” — an interconnected cultural ecosystem shaped by people, places and shared experiences.

The concept positions Victoria not only as a geographic centre but as a platform for cultural exchange, aiming to bridge local realities with broader European conversations.

The bid is being coordinated in collaboration with all fourteen localities in Gozo, reflecting an island-wide approach to the project.

If successful, the designation would represent a significant milestone for Gozo, with potential long-term impacts on cultural infrastructure, tourism and international visibility.

The open call is expected to play a key role in shaping the final proposal, as organisers look to build a programme that is both locally grounded and internationally relevant.