Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds and Social Dialogue Aaron Farrugia said that EU Funds and EU-funded projects are contributing to the economic and financial sustainability of Malta's fast-growing economy. "Whether it is through the €30m we are investing in SMEs, the €20m we are investing in research and development, the Kappara and Marsa Junction, financial instruments in loans and guarantees or the ESF Funds for the reskilling and upskilling of our workforce, they all contribute to Malta's economic growth," Farrugia noted.
Farrugia noted that four projects were approved under Interreg Europe's third call for project proposals and one project under the second call for project proposals of the same programme. Farrugia stated that the number of projects selected under the Interreg Europe Programme so far amount to 14, with an ERDF monetary value of nearly €2m.
The new projects which were approved are:
a) the WIN-POL project, which will be implemented by ERA (Environment and Resources Authority), will be improving policies for waste management mainly by promoting the use of intelligent equipment and systems for waste disposal.
b) the ThreeT project, by means of which the Planning Authority will seek to protect and enhance natural and cultural heritage sites by setting up thematic trails or improving existing ones by making them accessible through green modes of transport.
c) EWA (Energy and Water Agency) in the Aquares project will be focusing on utilising the public sector's role in regulating the water market and promoting wastewater treatment.
d) The Enerselves project of Miema will be working on the promotion of new policies or improvement of existing policies, to support the integration of RES in buildings for self-consumption.
Farrugia noted that the benefit of participating in Interreg projects, such as the ones which have been selected so far, will help Maltese entities to learn from other European counterparts and become aware of best practices, which are then implemented locally. "Such projects are also excellent platforms for building relationships with our foreign colleagues, while learning in the process and passing on some of our ideas and experiences too. The outcome of these projects or their pilot-actions, serve as an important baseline for larger projects financed through other EU sources or national funds," Dr Farrugia said.
He concluded by saying that the Managing Authority is also launching the fourth call for project proposals under this programme. He also encouraged all stakeholders to participate in this call, which, once again, offers an excellent opportunity for exchanging experiences and transferring knowledge on public policies.