Government has launched a €60.6 million Social Climate Fund Plan aimed at helping vulnerable households, individuals and micro-enterprises cope with the economic and social impact of the transition towards a greener economy, the Ministry for European Funds said in a statement.

The plan, which will run from 2026 to 2032, was launched by Minister for European Funds Keith Azzopardi Tanti in the presence of Mario Nava, Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion.

Approved by the European Commission earlier this year, the plan will finance measures targeting energy efficiency, renewable energy and transport, with a particular focus on people and businesses considered more exposed to the effects of the green transition.

One of the main areas of investment will be public social housing. According to Nava, the scheme will finance renovations to more than 230 apartments, including measures such as insulation, double glazing, solar panels and improvements related to heating and cooling.

Transport will be another key area. The fund will support vulnerable micro-enterprises in switching to electric vehicles, while investment will also be directed towards more accessible community transport services for older people and people with disabilities.

Launching the plan, Azzopardi Tanti said the investment was intended to ensure that the shift towards a greener economy was accompanied by social support.

"With an investment of around €60.6 million, we will be supporting families, vulnerable individuals and micro-enterprises so that they can be part of a greener transition without anyone being left behind," the minister said.

He added that the government's objective was for the funding to translate into investments that would have a direct impact on homes, communities and businesses.

Permanent Secretary within the Ministry Jonathan Vassallo said that implementation would now be the focus, with authorities working to establish clear procedures, meet the fund's requirements and monitor the investments.

The plan will be implemented through cooperation between Maltese authorities and the European Commission, with the stated aim of ensuring that funding reaches those most in need and that the country's green transition is carried out in a socially inclusive manner.