The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has successfully delivered a comprehensive training programme for third-country national (TCN) couriers and drivers in Malta and Gozo, in partnership with the Bolt Urban Fund, marking a significant milestone in their joint partnership "Bridging the Gap - Integrating Migrants".

The sessions, held across Malta and Gozo between 18–22 May 2026, brought together 102 migrant couriers and drivers for half-day interactive, practical training.

The training was designed to empower participants to better integrate and equip them with the knowledge and tools needed to earn safely, fairly, and confidently in Malta's ride-hailing and food delivery sectors.

The content was developed by IOM in collaboration with the Bolt Urban Fund and informed by input from the Advisory Group. This multi-stakeholder forum includes representatives from DIER, Identità, Transport Malta, MHSE, HRD, the Malta Chamber of SMEs, the Malta Cooperative Federation, the General Workers Union, and civil society organisations.

The sessions, designed and delivered by IOM experts, addressed couriers’ and drivers’ rights and obligations under Maltese, EU and international law, how to access key services in Malta, cultural orientation, road and personal safety, effective communication across cultures, reporting and feedback mechanisms, stress management, and how to navigate difficult or sensitive situations.

The training was delivered in a highly interactive format, including group activities, real-life scenario-based exercises, and peer discussions, allowing participants to engage directly with real-world challenges and share their own experiences in a safe, confidential setting.

Sofia Carto, Head of Policy for Southern Europe at Bolt, said: "The successful delivery of these training sessions is a proud moment for the Bridging the Gap partnership of IOM and the Bolt Urban Fund, and our vision for social and economic inclusion in the communities where Bolt operates. The training was designed via a genuine stakeholder dialogue in our Advisory Group meetings, and we are grateful to the IOM team and all our Advisory Group partners for helping us build something that is truly impactful."

Salvatore Sortino, Director of the IOM Coordination Office for the Mediterranean, said: “These training sessions are about more than providing information. They are about supporting migrant workers' well-being, strengthening awareness of their rights and responsibilities, and fostering integration. The level of engagement and participation we saw throughout the week was truly encouraging. By investing in training, dialogue and mutual understanding, we are helping to build a more inclusive and culturally aware transport and delivery sector in Malta, where migrant workers can thrive and contribute with confidence”.

What comes next

The completion of the training sessions marks a key deliverable under the "Bridging the Gap - Integrating Migrants" project, but the work does not stop here.

Participant feedback gathered through pre- and post-training evaluations will directly inform further refinements to the programme. Additional training sessions tailored specifically for fleet operators and managers are also planned, extending the programme's reach across the rides fleet and delivery sectors.

The project’s Advisory Group will also continue the fruitful discussion started at the project’s inception in 2025, with a final meeting scheduled in June 2026, aimed at consulting the sectors and gathering feedback on IOM's private-sector self-assessment checklist and the implementation of Bolt's Code of Conduct for platform workers.

IOM Malta and Bolt Urban Fund support couriers and drivers

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IOM Malta and Bolt Urban Fund support couriers and drivers