Newly Announced Cut-Off Dates for the ERDF Grant Scheme

Authors: Gayle Kimberley, Nicole Sciberras Debono & Nina Fauser

The Business Enhance Grant Schemes, part financed by the European Regional Development Fund 2014-2020, (‘ERDF’ Grants), aim at supporting enterprises when undertaking investment projects which secure sustainable business growth, by becoming more competitive, innovative, and resilient towards market challenges. The ERDF Grant Schemes address various aspects under the first Operational Programme (2014-2020), entitled ‘Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges’. These are classified into three main aspects:

1. Investing in research, technological development and innovation,
2. Consolidating Investment within the ICT sector, and
3. Enhancing Malta’s competitiveness through investment in SMEs.

The Measures and Support Division within the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs in Malta deals with EU Funds. On the 2^nd of October 2020, the Measures and Support Division announced the publication of further cut-off dates for the submission of applications under the ERDF Grant Schemes. These are in relation to the following five Schemes:

• Start-up Investment Grant Scheme
• SME Diversification and Innovation Grant Scheme
• SME Internationalisation Grant Scheme
• SME Consultancy Services Grant Scheme
• e-Commerce Grant Scheme

The newly published cut-off dates for open calls under the ERDF Grant Schemes can be found below:

1. Call 1 – SME Diversification and Innovation Grant Scheme:  

• For the year 2020: 30^th October, 30^th November & 31^st December. 
• For the year 2021: 29^th January, 26^th February, 30^th March, 30^th April, 31^st May & 30^th June. 

2. Call 1 – SME Internationalisation Grant Scheme: 

• For the year 2020: 30^th October, 30^th November & 31^st December. 
• For the year 2021: 29^th January, 26^th February, 30^th March, 30^th April, 31^st May & 30^th June. 

3. Call 1 – e-Commerce Grant Scheme: 

• For the year 2020: 16^th October, 30^th October, 13^th November, 30^th November, 16^th December & 31^st December. 

• For the year 2021: 15^th January, 29^th January, 12^th February, 26^th February, 17^th March, 30^th March, 16^th April, 30^th April, 14^th May, 31^st May, 16^th June & 30^th June. 

4. Call 2 – SME Consultancy Services Grant Scheme: 

• For the year 2020: 16^th October, 30^th October, 13^th November, 30^th November, 16^th December & 31^st December. 
• For the year 2021: 15^th January, 29^th January, 12^th February, 26^th February, 17^th March, 30^th March, 16^th April, 30^th April, 14^th May, 31^st May, 16^th June & 30^th June. 

5. Call 3 – Start-up Investment Grant Scheme: 

• For the year 2020: 30^th October, 30^th November & 31^st December. 
• For the year 2021: 29^th January, 26^th February, 30^th March, 30^th April, 31^st May & 30^th June. 

Certain amendments to the Guidance Notes of the Grant Schemes have also been published, in line with the changes introduced by EU Regulation 2020/972. These Guidance Notes provide that all supported actions must be concluded by latest 30^th June 2023, and the latest date for complete submission of claims for reimbursement falls on 30^th September 2023.

Should you require any guidance on the funding opportunities available under the ERDF Grant Schemes, please contact us on info@ewropa.mt.