Xjenza Malta Joins European Brain Health Partnership With €3.5 Million Research Boost

Xjenza Malta has officially joined the European Partnership for Brain Health, a Europe-wide initiative aimed at improving brain health through coordinated research, innovation and cross-border collaboration. Through this partnership, Malta…

Xjenza Malta has officially joined the European Partnership for Brain Health, a Europe-wide initiative aimed at improving brain health through coordinated research, innovation and cross-border collaboration.

Through this partnership, Malta gains access to shared expertise, funding opportunities and evidence-based strategies for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of brain disorders, benefiting citizens of all ages.​

The launch brought together policymakers, healthcare professionals, researchers and representatives from civil society to mark this significant milestone in the country’s mental health and neuroscience initiatives. ​

The Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation, Keith Azzopardi Tanti, emphasised the societal importance of the initiative.

“Mental health affects us all, at different times and in different ways. Malta’s participation in the European Partnership for Brain Health ensures that we can benefit from shared knowledge, evidence-based approaches and cross-border collaboration, which ultimately improve the well-being of our people,” he said.

The launch was also addressed by Dr Lydia Abela who stated, “As a caring society, we need to make significant efforts to increase awareness, education and above all, empathy. This must also be done with the very young and perhaps with those in our society who are most vulnerable to the pressures of today’s world – children.”

“This launch represents an important step for Malta’s research and innovation ecosystem. By participating in this European Partnership, we are not only advancing scientific knowledge but ensuring that our research translates into practical and meaningful improvements for the health and well-being of our citizens,” The CEO of Xjenza Malta, Silvio Scerri, added.

The event also featured a keynote by Dr Denis Vella Baldacchino, Commissioner for the Rights of Persons with Mental Disorders, who highlighted how brain health has become an increasingly pressing challenge over the years, with growing societal impact.

The session concluded with a presentation by Kaylen Borg from Xjenza Malta’s Internationalisation Unit. He explained how Maltese researchers can make use of the €3.5 million financial investment allocated by the Maltese Government for this initiative, so that Malta can play an active role in European brain health research.

The panel discussion moderated by Dr Daniel Vella Fondacaro “Why Brain Health Matters: Advancing Society’s Wellbeing through Research” stressed that prevention is better than cure, as cases continue to rise. Speakers highlighted how early disorders and risk factors can progress into disease, the importance of education from a young age, improved research classification, and a strong need for better data infrastructure and data availability to support effective research and policy. International collaboration through initiatives such as Joint Transnational Calls (JTCs) was also emphasised.

Panellists during this session were Dr Anna Maria Vella, Prof. Nigel Camilleri, Ms Daniela Calleja Bitar, Dr Anthony Scerri and Prof. Janet Mifsud.

The launch highlighted Malta’s commitment to fostering collaboration, advancing mental health initiatives and translating scientific progress into tangible benefits for all citizens.

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