One of the greatest advantages of Malta’s EU membership is the direct support it provides to the grassroots of our economy. European funds no longer only finance large scale infrastructure. Increasingly, they reach the self-employed workers, micro businesses and family enterprises that are the backbone of the Maltese economy. Investing in these businesses sends a clear message: we are committed to greater competitiveness and stronger resilience across our islands.

These grants are part of Malta’s strategic use of EU resources to align with broader European objectives, including digital transformation, sustainability and competitiveness. By leveraging EU solidarity, Malta ensures that even the smallest enterprises can benefit from programmes designed to prepare our economy for future challenges.

Carpenters, bakers, mechanics, farmers, fishermen, artists, technicians, IT specialists and tradespeople now benefit from accessible, practical support designed to secure business continuity, boost competitiveness and accelerate digital readiness. Under the 2021 to 2027 programme, 496 grants have already been approved, representing a commitment of more than €31 million. These grants focus on three core areas: digitalisation, business support and investment in machinery and equipment.

Twenty-two grants have funded digital upgrades for a combined value of over €1.7 million. Another 139 grants, amounting to more than €556,000, enabled enterprises to carry out business reports and assessments. The largest component is investment: 335 grants totalling nearly €29 million have helped small operators modernise equipment, automate processes and improve productivity. The average grant for equipment investment now exceeds €86,000.

The schemes were intentionally designed to be inclusive and do not favour any specific industry. Any eligible enterprise seeking to enhance its competitiveness or digital capabilities may apply. This neutral approach has enabled micro and small businesses to lead the uptake.

Of the 496 grants awarded so far, 284 went to micro enterprises, representing over €13.7 million in support. A further 145 grants were awarded to small enterprises for a total of almost €10 million, while medium-sized businesses obtained 76 grants worth almost €8 million. Self-employed individuals alone accounted for 135 grants, equivalent to more than €5.7 million in funding. These projects reflect the diversity of Malta’s economic fabric: from small retailers upgrading digital tools to farmers investing in machinery, from tradespeople improving workshop equipment to IT technicians strengthening service delivery.

EU solidarity strengthens the everyday economy- Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi

The geographical distribution of funding mirrors the national population. Around 85 per cent of grants were awarded to projects in Malta, while Gozo accounted for approximately 15 per cent. Grant values in Gozo tend to be slightly higher on average, reflecting both the additional support and the needs of the island’s economic operators.

Accessibility remains central. Applications are submitted online and evaluated on a rolling basis, with cut-off dates every 15 days until June 2026. This flexible system allows traditional and rural businesses the time they need to prepare applications without administrative burden.

So far, 427 enterprises have received competitiveness grants and 22 have completed digitalisation projects. The programme aims to help 250 enterprises modernise their operations and 175 adopt digital tools.

Longer-term targets include enabling 40 new enterprises to survive in the market, assisting over 200 businesses to increase turnover and helping 50 enterprises reach high digital intensity. All funded investments must remain operational for at least three years, ensuring that public support translates into durable value.

These results demonstrate that EU solidarity, when channelled with purpose, strengthens the everyday economy. Malta is showing how European funds can empower the smallest operators, stimulate innovation among local businesses and anchor resilience across all sectors. With the guidance of national structures like Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta, this support is reaching the people who need it most.

This is the true story of EU membership: practical support reaching real people, generating growth from the ground up and ensuring that prosperity is shared across our islands for years to come.

Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi is Minister for European Funds and the Implementation of the Electoral Programme.