2021-2027
Multi-Annual Financial Framework for Malta
In 2018, the European
Commission launched budgetary and regulatory proposals for the Multi-Annual
Financial Framework (MFF) for the 2021-2027 programming period. In December
2020, the MFF was adopted whilst the fund specific
regulations, which set out the objectives and scope of the funds, were
adopted during the course of 2021.
In order to access funds
under the MFF, Member States are required to prepare a Partnership Agreement
and plans or programmes covering various funds for the 2021-2027 period. These
programmes aim to capture interventions under the following funds: the European
Regional Development Fund (ERDF), European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), Cohesion
Fund (CF), Just Transition Fund (JTF) and European Maritime, Fisheries and
Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). Programmes covering the Asylum, Migration and
Integration Fund (AMIF), Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI), Internal
Security Fund (ISF) will also support migration and security initiatives under
the 2021-2027 period. In addition, Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan
(CAP SP) shall cover the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development
(EAFRD) and the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF).
The Partnership Agreement
is a strategic document that outlines the main parameters of EU funded plans
and programmes as well as synergies with other EU instruments including the
Recovery and Resilience Facility, InvestEU, ERASMUS and Horizon, amongst
others. Such coordination between instruments is instrumental for Member States
to maximise the use of EU funding sources and to ensure coherence between
different EU funded initiatives.
In 2019, the Ministry
responsible for EU Funds, launched a consultation process on Malta’s challenges
and investment needs that may be supported through the new wave of EU funds for
the 2021-2027 period. During 2020, five (5) committees were set up with
the aim to provide insights on investment priorities necessary for Malta’s
socio-economic development. These committees focused on:
i. Mobility
and connectivity;
ii. Innovative,
digital and smart economic transformation;
iii. Greener,
clean and resilient environment;
iv. Social
cohesion; and
v.
Gozo’s Development Needs.
Consultations were held in
line with the partnership principle in accordance with multi-level governance
and a bottom-up approach. Stakeholders consulted included Government
entities, urban and other public authorities, civil society, environmental
entities, bodies representing social inclusion, fundamental rights, rights of
persons with disabilities, gender equality and non-discrimination and youths,
amongst others.
Some of the main outcomes
emanating from the respective sectoral committee's are as follows:
i Mobility
and connectivity:
Further investment on pedestrian routes and passageways to reduce
private car dependency is important;
Ensure better access to Ten-T roads through reducing bottlenecks whilst
promoting the uptake of collective/public transport is needed;
Further investment in modal shift is critical for a sustainable transport
system, including electrification of cars, charging points, and further park
and ride facilities.
ii. Innovative,
digital and smart economic transformation:
Invest in human capital from a young age to support the growth and
address skills mismatches;
Research in smart specialisation areas and areas relevant for the labour
market remains important;
Better integration of e-government platforms and opportunities for the private
sector to strengthen digitalisation practices remains important;
Provide reskilling opportunities for the workforce that may become redundant in
view of progress in Artificial intelligence, amongst others; and
Support business start-ups and growth, particularly through access to finance.
iii. Greener,
clean and resilient environment:
There is economic opportunity to invest in the green and circular
economy as well as preparing the future generations for green jobs;
Consideration should be given to improved water management and conservation of
the marine environment, amongst others;
Investment in energy supply and stability remains crucial whilst RES
possibilities should continue to be explored; and
Future planning and investments in infrastructure should consider environmental
impacts.
iv. Social
cohesion:
Investments in health and social initiatives addressing the needs of
vulnerable groups should be given priority, including in the areas of mental
health, children, persons with a disability;
More importance should be given to gender equality;
Investments in quality education that caters for the needs of the
industry, fosters lifelong learning and caters for the needs of persons with a
disability, amongst others, is highly important;
Improved recognition of formal, non-formal and informal learning,
including vocational education should be pursued.
v. Gozo’s Development
Needs:
Transport infrastructure, green economy, digitalisation and
decarbonisation, including through RES should be the priority for future
investments;
Opportunities for further investment in tourism;
A holistic strategy in Gozo providing a framework for a greener, innovative and
economically sustainable environment is needed;
Eco Gozo and Tourism, including social tourism are important; and
Upskilling of labour workforce and education remain necessary should be
considered.
Over one hundred forty-five (145) entities were invited to attend
meetings held in 2019 and 2020. The aim of such meetings was to identify needs
which could be addressed through one or more EU Funds under the 2021-2027
periods. Furthermore, in 2020 and 2021, bilateral meetings with various
stakeholders were also held with a particular focus on the EMFAF, Common
Agricultural Policy (covering the EAFRD and EAGF) as well as justice funds.
A wider consultation exercise was carried out in 2021 with the Malta Council
for Economic and Social Development which is the formally established structure
in Malta representing the main employer bodies, trade unions and civil society
as well as Government. The outcome of these meetings was taken into
consideration in the finalisation of several public consultation documents on
the Programmes and Plans, which were carried out in 2021, and which served as
the basis for the finalisation of these Programmes and Plans.
In response to the consultations carried out in 2021, a total of one hundred fifty-nine (159) submissions
were received from the public administration, social partners, non-government and
international organisations, the private sector and general public. A summary
of the main outcomes received have been broadly reflected in the Programmes and
Plans and highlighted below.
The list of stakeholders
consulted during 2019 and 2020 may be found here.
The list of presentations
delivered as part of the committee meetings held in 2020 may be
found here.
List of documents published in 2021 may be found hereunder:
Public Consultation Document European Social Fund Plus
Public Consultation Document European
Regional Development Fund, Cohesion Fund, Just Transition Fund
Public Consultation Document European Maritime,
Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund
Investimenti ghall-Qasam Marittimu, is-Sajd u
l-Akkwakultura 2021-2027
Public Consultation Document CAP
Strategic Plan
Investimenti għall-Qasam Agrikolu u Rurali 2023-2027
CAP Strategic Plan 2021 Report Draft
STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE ERDF/CF/JTF, EMFAF AND CAP SP PROGRAMMES
Public Consultation Process on the
Environmental Assessment of the ERDF/CF/JTF and EMFAF 2021-2027
Public Consultation Process on the Environmental Assessment of the CAP SP 2023-2027
SCREENING AND SCOPING REPORTS
Screening and Scoping Report ERDF/CF/JTF/ESF+
Screening and Scoping Report AMIF
Screening and Scoping Report BMVI