Call for Proposals: SME Enhance Grant Scheme (Malta)

The focus areas covered by this grant scheme include promoting entrepreneurship, facilitating the economic exploitation of new ideas, fostering the creation of new firms, including through business incubators, reaping the benefits of digitisation for citizens, companies, research organisations and public authorities, and enhancing sustainable growth, competitiveness of SMEs, and job creation in SMEs through productive investments.

The SME Enhance grant scheme seeks to assist businesses by part-financing investments related to expansion, diversification, innovation, and initial investment projects in tangible and intangible assets. This financial support facilitates procurement of equipment, machinery, ancillary items, and lease of operational premises foundational to business operations. Eligible costs include training related to the acquired equipment and subscription-based software for up to two years. The grant is available for investments located exclusively in Malta or Gozo, with funding intensity varying by enterprise size and location, and capped at a maximum grant amount of €128,400 including indirect costs.

All applications are submitted online, requiring detailed documentation including investment proposals or quotations, financial statements, compliance certificates, evidence of match financing, and necessary permits. The evaluation process includes stringent eligibility checks and selection criteria assessing project quality, impact, financial viability, and sustainability. Applications meeting at least 50% of the selection score scale and other eligibility criteria will be awarded grants, subject to available funding.

Project implementation must follow strict timelines with investments to be completed within 24 months of the grant agreement, with possible extensions subject to penalties. Proper procurement, financial management, monitoring, and reporting are required throughout the project. Beneficiaries must ensure investment durability by maintaining assets for at least three years post-payment and adhere to environmental, non-discrimination, and sustainability principles.

Compliance with European Union State Aid regulations including de minimis aid limits is mandatory to prevent double financing and ensure transparent use of public funds. Audit and control measures include unannounced checks and mandatory record-keeping to safeguard proper project execution. Any irregularities may result in financial recovery actions. Communication and publicity acknowledging EU support must be conducted by beneficiaries, with permanent commemorative signage installed upon project completion.

For more information, visit FONDI.eu.