From Language to Livelihood: JRS Malta Supports Refugees in Building Stable Futures

From Language to Livelihood: JRS Malta Supports Refugees in Building Stable Futures. 

In Malta, JRS plays a vital role in helping refugees and asylum seekers build sustainable livelihoods by addressing the foundational barriers to employment: language skills, legal documentation, and access to training. As part of the Livelihoods Project supported by the Linsi Foundation, JRS Malta offers a flexible, responsive program that meets people where they are—academically, professionally, and personally. 

Operating out of its center in Floriana, JRS Malta delivers a holistic integration model focused on language acquisition (English and Maltese), soft-skills development, and personalized mentoring. These services are designed not only to enhance employability but also to restore dignity and stability to those navigating displacement. Classes are easily accessible by public transport, and many participants go on to pursue further training in IT, construction, or hospitality. 

Through close coordination with employers and robust cultural mediation, JRS Malta has supported the job placement of over 128 forcibly displaced individuals. Key to this success is JRS’s hands-on approach—developing individualized employment profiles, advocating for inclusive hiring practices, and maintaining post-placement follow-up to ensure long-term success for both workers and businesses. 

Despite ongoing challenges—complex work permit procedures, legal uncertainty, low education levels, and discrimination—participants consistently praise the impact of language classes, psychosocial support, and integration workshops on their journey toward self-sufficiency. 

In 2022, JRS Malta partnered with Handpicked, a national tourism and hospitality business, to deliver a short-term hospitality course focused on high-end service. Participants learned cocktail preparation, fine dining etiquette, and customer service, receiving certificates that signaled their readiness for the tourism industry. Though resource constraints limited follow-up, the collaboration demonstrated the potential of tailored training to connect refugees with Malta’s economic needs. 

A Story of Determination: Ibrahim’s Journey 

Ibrahim arrived in Malta in 2020, seeking safety—and a chance to continue his education. “I could not go and work in construction. I was a student in my country,” he said. With no English and no local contacts, he turned to JRS Malta. 

Through the JRS Youth Programme, Ibrahim received education and employment guidance, while JRS worked with employers to improve workplace conditions for asylum seekers. “If you work hard and are patient, you can make it,” Ibrahim now says with pride. For him, JRS offered more than practical support—it offered a pathway to stability, dignity, and hope. 

JRS Malta’s people-centered approach balances short-term support with long-term empowerment. To strengthen its impact, the team is investing in improved Monitoring & Evaluation, participant-led program design, and deeper collaboration with NGOs and employers. As legal and economic uncertainties continue to shape refugees’ lives in Malta, sustained commitment to flexible, inclusive, and data-informed solutions will be key to building dignified livelihoods for all. Read more about the Livelihood project here: https://jrseurope.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/06/LIVELIHOOD-REPORT-2025-2.pdf.