MEA calls for efficient processing of EU funding

The Malta Employers' Association has described the situation regarding the processing of EU funded projects as "alarming" and insisted that the government should make an overhaul of existing procedures to ensure that Malta does not lose out as a result of excessive bureaucracy.

The MEA said 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. This situation is dissuading many companies from applying for such funds, it said.

The MEA is claiming too much time is being lost counting paper clips when the main role of the managing organisations should be to facilitate access to such funds in the shortest time possible. For this reason the MEA is proposing a compete audit to cut down on burdensome processes to ensure the maximum utilisation and benefit of EU funded projects.