Good practice Imported

StarKids

Malta · Valletta · National · See the Malta profile · See the Valletta profile

Evidence: Descriptive / self-reported Top 62% 56/100 · Ask Evidence Copilot about this practice

The overall aim of ‘Star Kids’ is to enhance active inclusion for children who are at risk of poverty or social exclusion, either residing in the community or in residential care. These children will be given an opportunity to gain practical ICT skills that are relevant for them

Details

Maturity: Pilot
Promoter: Malta Communications Authority — website
Type: Service
Status: Ongoing
Target groups: Marginalised young people and children
People reached: 850
Period: 2018-12-31 – 2023-12-30
Region (NUTS): MT00
Keywords: Training programme, ICT, kids, social inclusion

Context

Children at risk of poverty or social exclusion in Malta - whether living in the community or in residential care - often lack practical ICT skills relevant to improving their educational experience and future employability. Star Kids was designed to close this gap, financed in part by the European Social Fund (ESF), led by the Malta Communications Authority (MCA) together with the Church in Malta, the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity, the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, the Ministry for Education and Employment, the Commissioner for Children and the University of Malta.

Objectives

Enhance active inclusion for at-risk children through practical ICT skills relevant to their educational experience, to facilitate later participation in further education or sustainable employment.

Activities

The project began with a study of existing ICT skills and tool gaps, followed by development of a bespoke training programme tailored to participants' age and ICT knowledge, and delivery of ICT tools, facilities and small-group training, with parents/caregivers involved to support participation. It targeted 750 children from LEAP centres and 100 children from residential homes, alongside a parallel study to capture lessons for future interventions.

Conclusions

No outcome evaluation was reported for Star Kids (the source record states "Evaluation: No"), so results against these participation targets are not documented in available sources.

Implementation

Indicative cost: Medium (€50k–€500k) — Co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) with six partner public bodies involved in delivery; no specific budget figure given, so a medium estimate reflects national multi-agency scope without a confirmed large capital outlay.
Time to results: Long (> 3 years) — Recorded programme period spans 2018-12-31 to 2023-12-30, roughly five years.
Staffing & skills: Malta Communications Authority (MCA) programme staff, Church in Malta, Foundation for Social Welfare Services, LEAP centre and residential-home staff

Conditions for success

Multi-ministry/agency partnership (education, family/social solidarity, welfare services, children's commissioner, university)
Bespoke, age- and aptitude-adapted training delivered in small groups
Parent/caregiver involvement to support participation