A public consultation has been launched on a document that proposes how Malta will invest another tranche of the record £ 2.27 billion of EU funds allocated to Malta for the 2021-2027 programming period.

After a period of consultation with all stakeholders, including ministries, authorities, Crown corporations, private organizations including civil society, non-governmental organizations and experts, a set of priorities was established to determine where to invest funds from cohesion, just transition and the European Union. Regional development fund. This will ensure long term and sustainable investments for the country.

AAt a press conference on the launch of the public consultation document, Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said the proposed investment will continue to build on initiatives undertaken during the programming periods as well as on news included in the Maltese Recovery and Resilience Plan and the already launched European Social Fund Plus investment program.

The parliamentary secretary said that with today’s plan, the country will mobilize substantial resources for the environment, facilitating business financing, energy efficiency and the enhancement of Maltese cultural heritage, among other initiatives . Other investments in health, education, clean water and new water and waste management are also included.

Today’s investment proposals also address Gozo’s particular needs and opportunities across all of the priorities listed, but the program also allocates around € 60 million of investment for Gozo’s sustainable urban development.

Zrinzo Azzopardi also said that around € 207 million will be invested to improve Malta’s competitiveness with initiatives targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), investments towards a digital and innovative economy and other investments for research and innovation. A business incubation center is also offered.

The investment program announced today includes spending of € 469 million, all of which are for initiatives to contribute to clean energy. These initiatives will focus on energy efficiency and emission reduction with the aim of tackling climate change. The program proposes the introduction of different and sustainable mobility systems in the country’s urban localities, in accordance with the European Green Deal with the aim of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 as provided for in the Treaty of Paris. Various initiatives to create green corridors and enhance Natura 2000 sites are proposed. Malta will also continue to strengthen its electricity supply by investing in new interconnection and new energy storage. Further investments will be made with the aim of protecting and conserving Malta’s nature and biodiversity.

Zrinzo Azzopardi explained that further development of Malta’s connectivity with the European TEN-T network with projects to strengthen infrastructure to meet current and future needs will continue to be supported. Indeed, 52 million euros will be devoted to this priority.

An additional € 33 million from the Just Transition Fund will be spent to expand the ship-to-shore project to the Grand Harbor and to implement a similar project at the Malta Freeport. The resulting reduction in emissions in localities near the two ports will significantly improve the environment for the surrounding population. Funds from the Just Transition Facility will also be used to install charging points for electric cars across the country.

With the aim of ensuring a better standard of living for all citizens, Malta will also invest these European funds to improve equal access to inclusive and quality services in education, training and learning throughout the world. life-long by developing accessible infrastructures, in particular by promoting resilience at a distance and online Education and training. We will continue to invest heavily in the health sector by building, among other initiatives, a new hospital for acute mental illness. A total of 150 million euros is proposed for this priority with the aim of improving services for all the population. Funds will also be directed to the tourism sector through investments in Maltese cultural heritage which will benefit the entire population.

Zrinzo Azzopardi concluded by saying that the investments proposed in this consultation document are all aimed at strengthening the economic, social and environmental structures of the country by meeting the needs and opportunities of the country, even in the long term. The general public and all interested parties are invited to participate in this consultation process by submitting their comments and suggestions before Friday, October 8, 2021.

The consultation document can be downloaded from the EU funds website www.eufunds.govmt and submissions can be emailed to: [email protected] or by letter to the Director General, Strategy and Implementation Division, 32, House of Catalunya, Marsamxett Road, Valletta.