Deadline: 14-November-2025
The Business Reports for SMEs Grant Scheme provides non-repayable support to small and medium-sized enterprises in Malta to finance external consultancy services for preparing Business Plans or Process and Systems Reviews aimed at improving efficiency and competitiveness.
Focus Areas/Objectives/Priorities/Themes: This Grant Scheme falls under Policy Objective 1 ‘A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity’ of SFC2021 Programme 2021–2027 ‘Towards a smarter, well connected and resilient economy, a greener environment and an integrated society’, and addresses the following Policy Objective and Specific Objective: PO1: Promoting entrepreneurship, in particular by facilitating the economic exploitation of new ideas and fostering the creation of new firms, including through business incubators. A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity. RSO1.3. Enhancing sustainable growth and competitiveness of SMEs and job creation in SMEs, including by productive investments.
The Business Reports for SMEs Scheme is managed by the Measures and Support Division within the Ministry responsible for the management of Union Funds, acting as an Intermediate Body under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2021–2027. The scheme supports micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that often lack the internal resources or expertise to conduct in-depth studies needed to guide their investment decisions.
Through the scheme, eligible enterprises can access a grant of €4,000, which represents 80% of the eligible costs for procuring a Business Report from external service providers registered with the Intermediate Body. The remaining 20% must be borne by the beneficiary. The total budget allocated from January 2024 is €1.35 million, and the scheme will operate until 31 December 2026 or until funds are exhausted. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and evaluated on a first-come, first-served principle.
Eligible consultancy outputs include either a Business Plan or a Process and Systems Review. A Business Plan should address areas such as business history, environment, model, financial projections, and risk assessment, while a Process and Systems Review focuses on operational analysis, digitalisation strategy, change management, and sustainability of digital investments. The objective is to provide SMEs with actionable insights to make their operations more efficient and competitive.
Projects financed under this scheme must be implemented within six months from the date of signing the Grant Agreement. Extensions may be considered under justified circumstances, but all projects must conclude by 30 June 2029. Beneficiaries are required to maintain transparent records and adhere to monitoring, reporting, and audit requirements set out in the guidance notes.
Aid under this scheme is granted in line with Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2831 on de minimis aid, meaning a single undertaking cannot receive more than €300,000 in de minimis aid over a rolling three-year period. Applications are open to SMEs engaged in economic activity, excluding those involved in sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, tobacco, or gambling. The funded projects must operate in Malta or Gozo, and beneficiaries must not receive double funding for the same activities.
Beneficiaries must also comply with State Aid requirements, equal opportunities, and non-discrimination principles throughout project implementation. Proper visibility and acknowledgment of EU co-financing under the European Regional Development Fund are mandatory in all reports and publicity materials.
For more information, visit FONDI.eu.
