Accessing EU Funds Made Easy

Accessing EU Funds Made Easy

The Malta Business Bureau (MBB) is proud to announce the launch of its new European Social Fund project: ESF 4.245 – Innovation Leaders: Improving Knowledge on EU Direct Funds, with training due to commence in March 2015

This exciting project focuses upon the provision of specialised training on the three EU direct funding programmes of greatest relevance to private industry: Horizon 2020, Erasmus+ and Creative Europe. With this in mind, the MBB aims to create a ‘Learning and Exchange Network’ on EU direct funding programmes in co-ordination with their Brussels-based transnational partner, The European Projects Association (EPA). The EPA is a non-profit organisation focused on research and development, innovation and internationalisation.

This network will act as a “train-the-trainers” structure, revolving around training and mentoring key individuals from private sector enterprises, on how EU direct funding works, the identification of potential project opportunities, the process of filling out an application, the structuring of project consortia as well as project implementation and reporting, all under the direct guidance of an expert trainer sourced through the EPA network of experts.

The project will take place in Malta and Gozo, where participants will be required to work on simulated proposals as an integral part of their training programme. Applicants will be assessed on the quality of their projects with a simulation exercise, constituting as a key element for their final assessment so as to determine the successful completion of the training.

The programme aims to contribute towards the development of effective partnerships in a wide range of policy areas and through this project, industry people will become more acquainted to the workings of the EU, particularly on policies directly or indirectly affecting their operations, business performances and also importantly the various funding opportunities provided for the benefit of the industry and its people.

Moreover, those with the most feasible proposals will be selected to attend an institutional study visit in Brussels organised by the MBB in conjunction with the EPA.

The training programme will focus on the following modules, tailored to each respective funding stream (Horizon 2020, Erasmus+, and Creative Europe):

•What are direct EU funds and how they work

•Business development element: identification of project opportunities

•Building a project concept

•Identification of the right funding stream

•Applying for direct EU funds

•Project Implementation

•Project reporting

Due to the limited number of spaces available for this training, we kindly ask that you register your interest by sending us your CV as well as filling out the attached application form at your earliest convenience, as places will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

Should we see a great demand for this training, further cycles will be created.

Please note that upon being officially accepted onto the training programme, you will be requested to pay a €150 deposit and this deposit, will be refunded in full, upon successful completion of the course.

The course outline may be downloaded from the link below.

For more information contact Karla Chetcuti Bonavita (Project Co-coordinator) on karla@mbb.org.mt