Restoration scheme extended to village cores in the Northern region
Irrestawra Darek funding has been fully taken up wherever it was made available
The popular Irrestawra Darek scheme for the restoration of homes and village cores has been extended to the Northern Region.
The Planning Authority said on Wednesday that €3.5million have been allocated for the scheme, which is aimed at revitalising old homes and streetscapes in urban conservation areas.
The scheme will support the maintenance and restoration of façades of privately owned heritage buildings, as well as Grade 1 and Grade 2 scheduled buildings.
The Planning Authority has made a total of €32 million available nationwide under the 2026 programme to promote the sustainable regeneration of historic urban areas.
The PA said this extended scheme goes beyond individual dwellings, allowing residential properties, commercial establishments and registered NGOs to participate, with the aim of upgrading entire streetscapes and village cores rather than isolated façades.
Who can apply and what is funded
The scheme is open to owners, or tenants of eligible properties located within UCAs in the localities forming part of the Northern Region. Eligible interventions include scientifically appropriate maintenance, restoration and replacement works to façades of heritage buildings, and to façade, internal and garden elements in the case of scheduled buildings.
Funding covers 100% of eligible costs, including craftsmanship, materials and equipment hire, subject to the following caps:
• Up to €15,000 for heritage buildings within UCAs
• Up to €100,000 for Grade 1 scheduled buildings
• Up to €50,000 for Grade 2 scheduled buildings
In cases of scheduled buildings with multiple ownership, individual owners may qualify for up to €15,000 each, while joint applications proposing a holistic restoration may qualify for the full capped amount.
The region comprises Mellieħa, Mġarr, Mosta, Naxxar, St Paul's Bay, Attard and Balzan.
The application process is being implemented in two phases. The first is an expression of interest, which may be submitted from 20 May 2026 at 10:30until 27 May 2026 at 10:30, either online via the Planning Authority website or in person at the Authority’s Front Desk in Malta or Gozo. Successful applicants will then be invited to proceed to phase 2, during which a registered architect will submit a detailed request for funding through the Planning Authority’s eApps system, together with the required documentation, including site plans, photographs, method statements and bills of quantities.
As per previous regional applications, the grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to eligibility and compliance with planning legislation, permit conditions and best professional restoration practice.
Further information may be obtained from the Planning Authority via pa.org.mt, telephone: 2290 0000. Email: irrestawradarek@pa.org.mt