Deadline: October 17, 2025
The Business Reports for SMEs Grant Scheme aims to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in Malta by providing non-repayable grants to part-finance external consultancy services for creating Business Plans or Process and Systems Reviews.
The focus areas of this scheme include promoting innovative and smart economic transformation, enhancing sustainable growth and competitiveness of SMEs, job creation in SMEs through productive investments, facilitating entrepreneurship with emphasis on economic exploitation of new ideas, fostering the creation of new firms including through business incubators, and regional ICT connectivity within the broader policy objective of a more competitive and smarter Europe.
This grant scheme is managed by the Measures and Support Division within the Ministry responsible for Union Funds and is part of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the 2021-2027 programming period. The scheme addresses limitations SMEs face due to limited in-house resources required to develop crucial business reports needed for investment decisions. It offers grants to SMEs by partially financing the costs of external consultancy services that create detailed Business Plans or Process and Systems Reviews to make enterprises more efficient and competitive.
Eligible enterprises must engage in economic activities and meet SME definitions according to EU regulations. The grants are dispensed as lump sums of EUR 4,000 with an aid intensity of 80%, subject to de minimis aid regulations limiting aid to EUR 300,000 over any three-year period. Eligible actions include procuring business reports from autonomous, registered external service providers excluding routine legal or tax consultancy, advertising, or internal capability activities.
The scheme operates on an open rolling call basis, awarding grants on a first-come, first-served basis until the budget is exhausted or the scheme ends on 31st December 2026. The implementation period for financed actions is six months from the grant agreement date, with possible extensions managed by set deduction rules.
Applications are submitted online with detailed documentation requirements such as declarations of de minimis aid, compliance certificates, audited financial statements, and supporting documents. The assessment process involves gateway criteria ensuring eligibility and completeness, with successful applications moving forward to grant agreements and formal funding acceptance.
Compliance with EU and national legislation is mandatory, including strict adherence to state aid rules, equal opportunities, and non-discrimination principles. Beneficiaries are responsible for monitoring project implementation, maintaining detailed filing and documentation for audits, and submitting claims for reimbursement upon project completion with all required reports and declarations.
Publicity requirements mandate acknowledgment of EU funding in all communications related to the project. Audit and control procedures include internal controls, possible audits without prior notice, and mechanisms for financial recovery in cases of irregularities.
In disputes or claims related to the grant agreement, arbitration through the Malta Arbitration Centre is the designated resolution method under Maltese law.
For more information, visit Measures and Support Division.
