Deadline: September 12, 2025
The Digitalise your SME scheme offers micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises the opportunity to access non-repayable grants aimed at financing digital investments that improve company efficiency, productivity, and customer experience.
The focus areas are aligned with Policy Objective 1 ‘A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity’ of the SFC2021 Programme 2021-2027, addressing entrepreneurship, economic exploitation of new ideas, fostering new firm creation including business incubators, and reaping the benefits of digitisation for citizens, companies, research organisations and public authorities as per RSO 1.2.
This grant scheme is designed to encourage SMEs to accelerate their digital transformation by investing in hardware, software, and digital solutions such as AI, IoT, cloud computing, cyber security, and big data analytics, ultimately enhancing operational resilience and the ability to compete globally. Eligible investments span a broad range of tangible and intangible digital assets with the goal of optimising internal processes, improving product quality, enhancing customer service, and expanding market reach through digital marketing tools.
The Digitalise your SME scheme offers non-repayable grants to assist micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups in digitalising their operations to improve efficiency, productivity, and customer experience by investing in digital solutions such as hardware, software, cyber security, cloud computing, IoT, AI, and other technologies. The scheme is funded under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2021-2027 programming period, with an initial budget allocation of €5,000,000, including contributions from the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA). Grants range from a minimum of €10,000 to a maximum of €128,400, inclusive of a 7% flat rate for indirect costs.
Eligible enterprises must meet criteria concerning their legal status, size, and sector, excluding entities involved in agricultural primary production, certain manufacturing sectors, and those in difficulty or with restricted activities. The scheme includes clear guidelines on eligible and ineligible costs, procurement from independent suppliers, and requires detailed documentation for application, approval, and reimbursement, including compliance certificates and financial statements.
Implementation involves a structured timeline, procurement compliance, dedicated project management, ongoing monitoring, and comprehensive reporting. Digital maturity assessments conducted pre- and post-implementation measure project impact, with emphasis on meeting targeted digital technologies and international competitiveness.
Beneficiaries are required to maintain investments operational for a minimum period, ensure proper asset inventory and documentation, comply with environmental and data protection regulations, and partake in visibility and public communication activities acknowledging EU support. Non-compliance may lead to financial corrections and potential clawback of funds, with disputes handled through Malta’s Arbitration Centre.
This grant scheme presents a strategic opportunity for Maltese SMEs to enhance their digital capabilities, adapt to evolving market demands, and build sustainable competitive advantages through technology-led business transformation.
For more information, visit Fondi.eu.
