Our recent event at Verdala International School gave us the chance to meet around 80 students aged 13 to 16 and talk openly about volunteering and the opportunities available through Erasmus+. The aim was to help students understand what volunteering can actually offer them – in terms of skills, confidence, and real-world experience.
Verdala school includes compulsory volunteering as part of its curriculum, introduced earlier than in most Maltese state schools. This approach gives students a head start, allowing them to explore different areas of interest while developing useful habits that support both their studies and personal life. When schools integrate community involvement in this way, students get to try things they wouldn’t normally encounter in a classroom.
A partnership that keeps developing
We first met Verdala staff during our Let’s Talk Volunteering event, and the connection continued naturally from there. We stayed in touch and share opportunities for students and the school community. Building this kind of ongoing link means the school can offer its students more varied and relevant experiences, and we can better understand what young people are actually looking for.
What we covered
Our conversation with the students focused on:
- What volunteering really involves
- How it helps with skills, personal growth and future opportunities
- The role of Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps
- Ways they can get involved through school, local organisations or international projects
Some students showed interest in our upcoming youth exchange, and others followed Projekta Malta on social media to keep updated on future activities. It’s clear that when opportunities are explained properly and made accessible, students are willing to explore them.
Survey insights: what the students told us
At the end of the session, students completed a short survey. Seventy-seven responses gave us a clear picture of their interests, motivations and concerns.
What they care about
The most common interests were:
- Animals and animal shelters
- Environmental work, especially beach clean-ups and nature protection
- Helping children and local communities
Other frequent themes included sports coaching, science, mental health, and event-related activities. The range of interests shows that students aren’t looking for one type of opportunity, but they want choices that match their personalities and goals.
These challenges are practical and understandable, and they highlight the need for clearer information and more accessible opportunities, exactly what volunteersmalta.com aims to address.
Why sessions like this matter
Talking to young people directly, rather than assuming what they want, makes a real difference. It helps us shape opportunities that fit their lives instead of expecting them to fit a predefined mould. It also reinforces how important it is for schools and organisations to work together, because students benefit most when they can choose from a wide range of activities that feel relevant and achievable.
Our collaboration with Verdala International School will continue, and we look forward to offering their students more ways to explore volunteering and international projects. If Malta wants young people to take an active role in their communities, these conversations, and the follow-up opportunities are essential.
Before closing, we’d like to give a special thank you to Ms Haley Clark and Ms Nicky Schembri. Their dedication and hard work show how much they care about shaping the future of their students, and it’s clear that their effort makes a real difference.