The webpage dedicated to the European project that brought Sardinia and Malta together through cultural heritage, civic participation and intercultural dialogue is now online
The DCHUI – Different Culture Heritage: Unity and Inclusivity project has concluded. The initiative was co-funded by the European Union under the CERV – Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values – Town Twinning programme and delivered by the Municipality of Ardara in collaboration with the Municipality of Msida, Malta, with technical support from Focus Europe ETS – The Network of European Territories.
The project provided an important experience of cooperation between European local communities, strengthening dialogue between Sardinia and Malta through the promotion of cultural heritage, local traditions, civic participation and the European Union’s shared values.
The initiative took place over three days of activities hosted in Ardara from 6 to 8 December 2025, involving a delegation from Msida made up of institutional representatives, young people, cultural practitioners, members of civil society and citizens. The event enabled direct exchanges between two Mediterranean communities sharing a strong local identity, a rich cultural tradition and a desire to strengthen their European dimension.
The activities involved institutional representatives and prominent figures from the participating territories, including the Mayor of Ardara, Francesco Dui, the Mayor of Msida, Charles Selvaggi, the Mayor of Fonni and President of ANCI Sardegna, Daniela Falconi, and the President of Focus Europe ETS, Giuseppe Cappai. Their participation helped give the project a strong institutional dimension, confirming the importance of cooperation between local authorities as a practical means of bringing citizens closer to Europe.
The project days combined institutional sessions, cultural visits, discussions, thematic workshops and meetings with the local community. Following the welcome for the Maltese delegation and the start of activities in Ardara, the programme included an institutional and cultural day involving the Municipality of Fonni and participation in the Cortes Apertas – Autunno in Barbagia event, a particularly significant opportunity to introduce the Maltese delegation to one of the most vibrant expressions of Sardinian cultural and community heritage.
The exchange placed cultural heritage at the centre, both as an expression of identity and as a resource for local development, social cohesion, inclusion and citizen participation. Through exchanges between local administrators, young people, associations and local practitioners, DCHUI encouraged shared reflection on the role of local communities in safeguarding and passing on traditions, promoting intercultural dialogue and building lasting European ties.
The concluding day on 8 December was particularly significant, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Municipality of Ardara and the Municipality of Msida. The signing formally established the two authorities’ intention to continue the relationship begun through the project, paving the way for future joint initiatives in culture, European citizenship, youth participation, heritage promotion and territorial cooperation.
The Maltese delegation also had the opportunity to discover some of the area’s landmark places, including the Santuario di Nostra Signora del Regno, a testament to Ardara’s historical and religious significance, and local businesses, with sessions dedicated to discovering the traditions, characteristic products and community experiences that distinguish the area.
At the end of the project, a webpage dedicated to DCHUI was created as a public space to bring together, promote and disseminate the main results achieved. The page allows visitors to retrace the entire project and provides materials, content and documentation produced as part of the initiative.
The webpage is available at the following link:
https://www.focuseurope.org/dchui
The page brings together the main project outputs, including the Event Description Sheet, photographic documentation, communication materials, information about the initiative, videos, interviews and material illustrating the value of the experience. Publishing these materials online ensures transparency, accessibility and continuity in the dissemination of results, enabling citizens, local authorities and interested stakeholders to consult and make use of what has been produced.
DCHUI confirmed the strategic role of small municipalities in building Europe. Ardara and Msida demonstrated how even smaller local communities can take a leading role in transnational initiatives capable of generating relationships, exchanges of experience, civic participation and new opportunities for collaboration.
The project also reinforced the value of the CERV programme as an instrument supporting active citizenship, inclusion, solidarity and dialogue between European communities. Through the town-twinning initiative, citizens were able to discuss issues central to Europe’s future directly: respect for cultural diversity, safeguarding local identities, democratic participation, youth involvement and the ability of territories to cooperate across national borders.
Focus Europe ETS expresses its satisfaction with the results achieved and thanks the Municipality of Ardara, the Municipality of Msida, the Municipality of Fonni, ANCI Sardegna, local administrators, associations, cultural practitioners, citizens and all the participants who contributed to the initiative’s success.
The project’s conclusion is not an endpoint, but the beginning of a collaboration that can continue through new activities, further exchanges and future European projects. DCHUI leaves a tangible connection between Sardinia and Malta, built on dialogue, culture and the awareness that Europe also grows through relationships between its local communities.
