EU poverty alleviation measures in Malta

Abstract

This dissertation targets how poverty alleviation measures in the European Union (EU) are implemented in Malta, progressing from general poverty to child poverty, with a special focus on educational poverty as a key aspect. Child poverty, defined as a multifaceted deprivation of resources required for the optimal development and inclusion of a child, is a significant social challenge in the European Union. Despite diverse attempts to establish policies, nearly one in four children in the EU are faced with some type of poverty. This dissertation examines how EU poverty alleviation strategies, such as those which arise through the European Pillar of Social Rights and the European Child guarantee, are implemented in Malta. Through a hybrid-method case study approach, which included policy document analysis, statistical report analysis, and interviews, this paper studies the extent to which EU frameworks are converted into effective national initiatives and policies. Findings show that while on-paper, Malta aligns with EU objectives through programmes targeting inclusion and other aspects, implementation is often superficial, hindered by less-than-adequate infrastructure and limited coordination. Analysis of interview data exposes gaps between policy scripting and reality, leading to limited tailored support for disadvantaged students. We thus conclude that educational poverty in Malta remains a key issue not due to lack of EU input, but due to structural obstacles that stop significant betterment.