Obesity At The Centre Of A New €300,000 Research Fund Aiming To Rethink Malta’s Food Environment
The Secretariat for Youth, Research and Innovation, through Xjenza Malta, in collaboration with the Ministry for Health and Active Ageing, has officially launched a Call for Proposals for a Research Programme on Obesity.
This initiative aims to address Malta’s growing obesity challenge by funding research that explores the impact of the food environment on obesity. Specifically, the programme will focus on three key areas: food labelling, food provision and food promotion. These have been identified as priority sectors where scientific evidence could inform stronger public policies that promote healthier food choices.
This year’s call will offer grants of up to €100,000 per project, and is open to academic, public and private entities. Three distinct projects are expected to be funded, one for each of the identified focus areas.
During a press conference, Minister for Health and Active Ageing Jo Etienne Abela stressed the importance of a unified national approach: “To address this challenge, as highlighted by the WHO, we need a whole-of-government approach. Collaboration between government, researchers, and the private sector is key. Obesity affects multiple vital organs and impacts people of all ages, so we must be innovative in how we tackle it,” he said.
The Minister added, “We look forward to seeing this research form the foundation for further studies and collaborations that deliver results, results that can strengthen our national strategies and benefit patients directly.”
Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation Keith Azzopardi Tanti called the programme a clear example of how investment in research can lead to practical solutions.
“This initiative is yet another sign of our commitment to invest in research as a real tool to solve national challenges like obesity. By strengthening the scientific foundation behind public policy, we can build a healthier future for the generations to come,” he said.
The press conference also featured Prof. Charmaine Gauci from the Ministry for Health and Active Ageing, who provided up-to-date data on obesity in Malta and emphasised the importance of evidence-based interventions.
The session continued with a presentation by Enya Maria Haber from Xjenza Malta, who explained the programme’s application criteria and timeline in detail.
Dr Tonio Portughese, Chairperson of the Xjenza Malta Consultative Committee, described the programme as a significant step toward addressing obesity in Malta: “We’re committed to supporting research that can shape effective public policies and improve the health of our population,” he said.
To help prospective applicants better understand the programme and application process, Xjenza Malta will host an online information session on 2nd June 2025 at 10:00am.
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