Category: Archive – 2014

Children risk
injury and even death from fires caused by novelty cigarette lighters and
cigarette lighters which are not child resistant. For this reason the EU has
extended the ban of such lighters until 11 May 2015.

The aim is to protect
children across the EU from the dangers that arise from the misuse of cigarette
lighters. In the meantime, the relevant European standardisation organisation,
CEN, is continuing to work on a suitable European standard for determining the
child resistance of lighters. This standard will be based on technical
parameters rather than the use of child panels which are considered to be too
burdensome. A further prolongation of the ban is possible in the future if
necessary.

For
further information: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/safety/prod_legis/prod_legislation_lighters_en.htm

A final
agreement on the Data Protection Reform package is to be postponed until after
the May 2014 elections in the European Parliament. The European Commission, the
two lead rapporteurs on the issue in the European Parliament, together with the
Greek Presidency and the incoming Italian Presidency agreed to set the deadline
for the adoption of the Data Protection bill at the end of 2014.

EU aims to establish framework for regulatory cooperation
on financial servicesThe EU has
proposed establishing a framework for regulatory cooperation on financial
services in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) that it
is currently negotiating with the US.       

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.