Author: SME Chamber

The Erasmus+
Programme is a programme with brand new structure. It is now a single
integrated programme, bringing together 7 programmes that already existed
(Leonardo Da Vinci, Gundtvig, Comenius, etc…) into 1 coherent framework.

Key action 1 Mobility for VET Staff

Staff training

This activity
supports the professional development of VET staff in the form of a work
placement or a job shadowing/observation period abroad in an enterprise or any
other VET organisation

Duration of project: 1 or 2 years

Duration of activity: from 2 days to 2 months, excluding travel time

Individuals cannot apply directly for a grant. In the case of projects
presented by a National VET Consortium, all members of the Consortium must be
identified at application stage. A consortium must comprise at least 3 VET
organisations.

Apply only once per selection round, however a VET organisation may be
part of a coordinate several different consortia applying at the same time.

Mobility of Youth Workers (No age limits)

Supports the
professional development of youth workers. Training courses, participation of
youth workers in seminars, contact-making events, study visits, job shadowing
abroad.

Duration of activity: From 2 days to 2 months, excluding travel time.

Duration of project: 3 to 24 months

The activity
must take place in the country of one of the participating organisations.

Up to 50
participants in each planned activity.

Deadlines

Funding rules

Key Action
2 Strategic Partnerships in the field
of Education, Training and Youth

Duration of projects

Deadlines

Partnerships in the Youth Field

Other types of Partnerships

Registering an
organisation to participate

Once
the registration is complete, you will be given a 9-digit PIC Number (Unique
identifier)

Further information can be found at:
http://eupa.org.mt/erasmus-programme/

Following the recent launch by the
Maltese Government of the Malta National Electromobility Platform and its
programme for the implementation of the Malta National Electromobility Action
Plan, the Government is seeking the cooperation of interested parties in the form
of Vehicle Manufacturers, Suppliers of related technologies and infrastructures
and Local Vehicle Importers to submit a letter of interest for their
participation in this ambitious programme.

This may include cooperation agreements
with international companies to bilaterally work with the Maltese Government to
further the electrification of transport in Malta. Proposals of strategic
importance to Government will be given priority. Interested parties are invited
to submit a proposal/s for the consideration of the Government to bring about
such future cooperation. Any proposals submitted will be treated as
confidential and commercially sensitive.

Proposals are to
be addressed to the National Coordinator MNEP on:

or The
National Coordinator MNEP, Transport Malta, Sa Maison Road, Floriana, FRN 1612,
Malta. Proposals will be accepted by not later than 28th February 2014.

L-istabbilimenti kummerċjali kollha f'Malta u Għawdex jkunu
jistgħu jiftħu nhar it-Tnejn 10 ta' Frar 2014 mill-erba' ta' filghodu sas-seba'
ta' filghaxija. Dawn il-ħinijiet
tal-ftuħ ma jaffetwawx lil dawk l-istabbilimenti li diġa' għandhom permess biex
jibqgħu miftuħa wara l-ħin tal-ftuħ.

GRTU Deputy
President Philip Fenech has this week attended a half day seminar entitled
"Reversing Decline: Product Regeneration in Malta's Resort Town". Tourism
Minister Karmenu Vella gave a presentation.

The seminar was chaired by MTA CEO
Josef Formosa Gauci and present for the meeting were also other very important
stakeholders such as other high MTA officials, the MEPA Chairman and planning
officials, together with other key players and Local Council Mayors.

During
the seminar those present were shown visuals of the various dilapidated tourist
attractions and potential attractions. Strategy and policies to address these
were discussed at length as well as the direction and strategy that would need
to be taken. Enforcement issues were also discussed.

GRTU is
currently also involved in committees aimed at revitalizing and addressing
issues in Tourism Zones in which Philip Fenech as GRTU Vice-President of the
Tourism and Hospitality Sector and other GRTU Council members and members are
or will be involved to contribute to the development to the different Tourism
Zones.

GRTU President
Paul Abela, Deputy President Philip Fenech and EU Desk Coordinator Abigail
Psaila Mamo have this week attended a conference that provided insight on what
is in the EU pipeline in terms of funds for SMEs.

The
conference touched upon various instruments including Horizon 2020, COSME, the
financial instruments provided through the European Investment Fund such as
JEREMIE, the Malta Enterprise Support Schemes and other support provided
through structural funds.

During
the conference it was emphasized that there is a lot for SMEs but very few know
about the opportunities available. GRTU President Paul Abela urged the
institutions and authorities responsible to invest in reaching out to SMEs. He
said that as GRTU we carry out regular information activities and we intend to
continue this also in collaboration with Malta Enterprise. A problem linked to
this is the perception businesses have on funding which is of being overly
bureaucratic and very difficult to acquire.

We have
however seen a level of improvement both in the way funds are administered and
their ‘SME friendliness' so to say. It will however take a lot of work to
change the initial perception of SMEs

It was very
interesting to hear the testimonials of local entrepreneurs that have grown
from start-ups to strong and well established businesses also thanks to the
help of EU facilitated funding. It does give funding a real perspective and
help SMEs relate to funding.

In his
opening address, Hon. Dr Christian Cardona said, "Businesses need finance to
invest and grow. Through innovation, hard work and resilience our companies can
be more competitive in the EU". Dr Cardona recognized that Malta did not score
very high in the last SBA fact sheet but that the data was based mostly on 2012
findings. He however said that Government has analysed where Malta fared worse
and already started acting on these areas.

The Malta-EU
Steering and Action Committee (MEUSAC), together with the Malta Environment
& Planning Authority and the Ministry for Sustainable Development, the
Environment and Climate Change will be organising a consultation session on the
European Commission Communication entitled: A Clean Air Programme for Europe.

COM(2013)
918 tackles the reasons for the widespread non-compliance to the EU's air
quality standards. It also proposes legislation to reduce harmful emissions in
the longer term which contribute to poor air quality and damage the natural
environment.  In addition, it will promote measures which also mitigate
atmospheric warming and climate change.

This
consultation session will be held on Tuesday,
February 11, 2014 at 10 am at the MEUSAC offices, 280, Republic Street,
Valletta. 

Should you be interested kindly
register by sending an email to
by not
later than Monday, February 11, 2014 at noon.

Do you have a brilliant business idea? Are you a newly established entrepreneur? Would you be interested in expanding your company with fresh
ideas?

Then you
need look no further than the Erasmus for Your Entrepreneurs programme
(www.erasmus-entrepreneurs.eu), a mobility initiative co-financed by the
European Union.

This
programme organized by Malta Enterprise offers new entrepreneurs the
possibility to work for up to six months with an experienced entrepreneur in
another EU country. These exchanges take the form of ‘mentorships' whereby both
the new as well as the host entrepreneur benefit in various ways. Through the
collaboration with experienced entrepreneurs the individuals will benefit from
achieving new and relevant skills about will help them set up their own
business. On the other hand, the experienced host participant would benefit
from fresh perspectives on their own business whilst also getting the
opportunity to cooperate with foreign partners or learn about new markets.

The
entrepreneurs may also decide to extend the collaboration with new
entrepreneurs after the end of the exchange period. In this manner, the
programme stimulates entrepreneurship, competitiveness, internationalization
and growth of start-ups and established SMEs in the EU. It also contributes to
the transfer of know-how and building of management skills essential for the
running of an SME.

Who can
participate?

New
entrepreneurs eligible to participate in the programme are those who firmly
plan to start a business or otherwise have an existing business that is not
older than three years, irrespective of their personal age or the sector in
which they operate.

A host
entrepreneur can participate in the programme if he or she is the owner or
manager of an SME or directly involved in entrepreneurship at SME board level;
has experience running a company for several years; and is willing to act as a
mentor by sharing knowledge and experience with a new entrepreneur from a
different European state.

Malta
Enterprise can guide interested entrepreneurs helping them with the application
process, finding and establishing a successful relationship with a suitable
entrepreneur, as well as answering any questions. Malta Enterprise will also
provide financial support to whom participating in the programme, (partly)
covering travel costs to and from the country of the stay and subsistence costs
during the visit, which may last between one and six months.

In a few
words, what are the benefits of participating in this programme?

Benefits
for new or aspiring entrepreneurs:

Active
participation in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme offers aspiring
entrepreneurs access to a wide range of benefits to help successfully run or
start a new business:

Benefits for host entrepreneurs:

As a host
entrepreneur participating in the programme, you will benefit from the exchange
by having the opportunity to:

The large
majority of host entrepreneurs enjoyed the experience so much that they decided
to host other new entrepreneurs afterwards!

The programme
information guide can be downloaded from here:

The Commission
is asking Member States for information on any irregularities / trade irritants
that Russia might be imposing on exports from the EU to Russia. The intention
of the Commission is to make a strong case on Russia's non compliance with its
WTO commitments and to raise this issues in bilateral talks with its Russian
counterpart. If so send emails on

Biotechnology
to treat heavy metal pollution in waste water; new 'Aquaponic' systems
combining aquaculture and hydroponics in agricultural production; smarter
management of water distribution networks.

These are just three of 11 new
projects approved for EU research funding, aiming to promote innovative
solutions for water-related challenges. The projects involve 179 partners from
research organisations and private companies (including more than 70 SMEs),
across 19 European countries.