Employers call for audit of processes in EU-funded projects

The Malta Employers’ Association said today that the state of affairs with respect to the Erasmus applications by many students was also present in applications by companies for the Training Aid Framework (TAF) funds.

"Many employers are frustrated that they are left in the dark about their applications for training funds, and they are given no feedback about a time frame when pending applications, which count in the hundreds, are going to be settled. A similar situation also exists in many other EU projects, with projects being underway without the final contract having been signed with the PPCD."

The MEA said the situation was dissuading many companies from applying for such funds.

"Too much time is being lost counting paper clips and crossing ts when the main role of the managing organisations should be to facilitate access to such funds in the shortest time possible," the MEA said.

It insisted that a compete audit should be carried out to cut down on burdensome processes and to ensure the maximum utilisation and benefit of EU funded projects.