The MBB, in collaboration with the European Projects Association (EPA), launched the ESF 4.245 ‘Innovation Leaders: Improving Knowledge on EU Direct Funds’ project, which was designed to boost SME take-up of three key EU funding streams, namely Horizon 2020, Erasmus+ and Creative Europe. The launch was held at the Exchange Buildings in Valletta.

The Innovation Leaders programme ran until June 2015 and aimed to train applicants coming from the private sector on direct EU funds and on how to present a project proposal for funding.

MBB President Mario Spiteri, in his opening address, mentioned how such a programme is vital for Maltese businesses to strengthen their capacity to tap into direct EU funds, which, for the time being, is very low.

Parliamentary Secretary for EU funds Ian Borg commented that “this project by MBB signifies further investment in sectors that will hopefully receive a boost and in turn generate further economic growth.” He then added that the private sector, along with other local and foreign public organisations, can build strong partnerships with which they can take up EU-funded projects.

The training programme consisted of three full days of masterclass training by EU funding experts, which were selected by the EPA. These were followed by two mentoring webinar sessions in which the participants could ask any questions they had regarding EU funds and EU-funded projects.

The event was also addressed by MBB CEO Joe Tanti and EPA Secretary General Katarina Sipic, who both highlighted the benefits of such a programme for Maltese businesses.