Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 in Malta - Achievements: A Snapshot

ERDF068: Upgrading of Operating Theatre and Setting up of Radiology Unit at the Gozo General Hospital

COHESION POLICY 2007 - 2013 IN MALTA Achievements: a Snapshot PLANNING AND PRIORITIES COORDINATION DIVISION - OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

ESF3.60: Youth Employment Programme

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ERDF024: Upgrading of Villa Rundle

ERDF081: Enhancing Health Biotechnology Facilities at the University of Malta

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THE STORY SO FAR By the end of 2012, over €740 million were committed to projects co-financed under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Cohesion Fund and the European Social Fund (ESF). This constitutes 75% of the €1 billion in Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 funds which Malta is benefiting from. However, this amount excludes two Major Projects which are currently awaiting approval from the European Commission.

Together, these projects are valued to over €81 million. Hence, upon their approval, the commitment rate for Malta would reach 83%.

COHESION POLICY 2007-2013 IN MALTA Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 in Malta is addressed through two Operational Programmes: Operational Programme I: Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of Life, co-financed through ERDF and Cohesion Fund; and Operational Programme II: Empowering People for More Jobs and a Better Quality of Life, co-financed through ESF.

ERDF039: Restoration and Rehabilitation of Historic Fortifications of Malta and Gozo

THEMATIC AREAS Holistically, the three funding instruments have to date co-financed over 180 actions, comprising of projects and aid schemes, targeting eleven (11) socio-economic sectors, namely: Heritage and Tourism; Equal Opportunities; Health; Research, Science and Technology; Education; Lifelong Learning and Employment; Environment, Climate Change and Renewable Energy Sources (RES); Waste Management and Risk Prevention; Public Infrastructure; Public Administration; and the Private Sector.

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ERDF102: Energy-Smart Authority

PROJECTS

In terms of the highest number of projects being implemented, the

Environment, Climate Change and RES sector heads the list with a total of 31 projects (16%) amounting to over â‚Ź30 million.

Numerous interventions under this sector aim to reduce the barriers which end users (such as households, enterprises, voluntary organisations and public institutions) tend to encounter in order to set up RES options such as photovoltaic panels. A prime example of such actions is the Malta Resources Authority scheme, amounting to nearly â‚Ź17 million, seeking to assist households in the acquisition of PV panels for domestic use.

A number of public institutions, including schools, and voluntary organizations have also benefited under this area.

ERDF088: Promotion of Renewable Energy Sources in the Domestic Sector.

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ESF1.34: Addressing Skills Mismatches in the Aviation Maintenance Industry

Education is the second largest sector in terms of number of projects implemented. 24 interventions (13%), in various stages of completion, target both infrastructural and academic development with a view to improve the quality of the educational experience of Maltese and Gozitan students and lifelong learners.

Infrastructural interventions include the extension of the University of Malta Junior College building so as to provide students with more state-of-the-art classrooms and tutorial rooms. Other noteworthy interventions include the upgrading of the Institute for Mechanical Engineering, the Institute of Art and Design as well as the development of Applied Science, Business and Commerce Institutes at the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST).

ERDF057: Junior College Building Extension

ERDF054: Multimedia Training Centre at the Institute of Art and Design, MCAST

Investments in the field of education have also been designed to address local market needs, with and the continued development of higher education being supported through a scholarship programme worth â‚Ź10 million.The scheme is enabling students to further pursue their postgraduate education.

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ESF3.64: Employment Aid Programme

Lifelong learning is another area which has seen considerable investment with a view to increasing the employability of the Islands’ workforce.

Over â‚Ź23 million has to date been committed to this sector with interventions such as the Employment Programme co-financed under ESF. This project aims to reintegrate the inactive as well as job seekers into the labour market while assisting those in employment to secure and advance their position within the labour market.

More specific interventions include courses held under the Advance programme which seek to increase the number of qualified professionals working in the tourism industry by upgrading their management knowledge / skills in order to thrive for quality service improvements through change and innovation.

47% of participants are in employment or further study 6 month after receiving assistance and 66% of participants have gained a qualification or certification.

34,082 persons have been trained or supported through such lifelong learning and employability initiatives as at end 2011.

ESF3.54: REACH - Opportunities Close to Home

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ERDF047: Reconstruction of part of Xlendi Road and Ta’ Pinu Road

By far the sector which has received the highest amount of co-financing is

Public !

Infrastructure.

With over â‚Ź160 million worth of investments, the largest share (60%) of projects aim at improving the land transport infrastructure through better roads, increased accessibility and modal shift.

Maritime transport has also been boosted (30% of the investment to date) through interventions on the Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal, the refurbishment of the Valletta and Marsaxlokk breakwaters as well as refurbishment and upgrading of the Deep Water Quay. The latter seeks to improve the maritime infrastructure throughout the Grand Harbour area.

CF198: Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal

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ERDF135: Grant Scheme for Sustainable Tourism Projects by Enterprises

The Private

Sector

has also benefited substantially under both OPI and OPII by means of various schemes which aim at facilitating the competitiveness of local businesses.

To date, around

650 actions have been carried out by enterprises under the ERDF schemes.

In total, over 6,200

individuals have been supported through ESF aid schemes.

Around â‚Ź40 million worth of schemes managed by Malta Enterprise have supported businesses in the initial stages of operation (small start-up); stimulating Product/Service/Process/ Organisational Innovation; investing in environmentally friendly technologies, as well as ICT; research and development activities; investing in energy saving measures and alternative energy sources; developing or introducing new services / products in established markets.

These actions are further complemented by the â‚Ź10 million worth of credit under JEREMIE, the Joint European Resources for Micro to Medium Enterprises. The initiative, headed by the European Commission together with the European Investment Bank promotes increased access to finance the development of SMEs in Malta.

Local businesses within the Tourism Sector were specifically targeted through the Grant Scheme for Sustainable Tourism Projects by Enterprises. " Additionally, the Employment Training Corporation has managed two aid schemes to strengthen the local workforce through training and wage subsidies for the recruitment of disadvantaged groups.

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CLOSURE The above are just a few of the successes registered in a handful of sectors targeted through Cohesion Policy 2007-2013. Despite nearing the closure of the seven-year Programming period, all efforts are being made for more projects to be identified and proposed so as to maximise the benefits being presented by EU funds. This follows closely with the positive results achieved by Malta under the 2004-2006 Programming period.

ERDF032: Archaeological Heritage Conservation Project

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Planning and Priorities Coordination Division

Find us on

OďŹƒce of the Prime Minister Triq il-Kukkanja Santa Venera SVR 1411 Tel:

+356 2200 1142

Fax:

+356 2200 1141

email: answers.ppcd@gov.mt web:

www.ppcd.gov.mt

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