EU funds are helping to change the face of Malta. A noticeable improvement has already been made in a number of sectors, particularly infrastructure, and projects that are aimed at improving the quality of life.
Malta receives more than it contributes to the EU budget. In the funding programme that has just been approved, the island is set to receive many more millions of euros for development, new government projects, and programmes meant to boost the generation of jobs and the running of skill training schemes.
Giving a brief account of the new funding programme, parliamentary secretary for EU funds, Ian Borg, said the first approval they received was for Operational Programme 1, a €717 million fund to be spent on development under the European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Policy.
This is a staggering amount for Malta but to get the full benefit the funds would first have to be used wisely. Obviously thrilled by the news of the approval of Malta’s funding plan, Dr Borg said the programme “ultimately means a leap in our quality of life.
The funds we will pump into the country over the next seven years will not only help the country reach its EU 2020 targets; it will also mean better infrastructure, greater opportunities and more economic growth.”
In Dr Borg’s view, the next step is ensuring the island uses up all the funds available at its disposal.
He brought up this point because six years into the seven-year period covered by the first phase, Malta had only absorbed 30 per cent of the money allocated under the programme.
If this is correct, it was low indeed.
However, by the end of last year they had raised the figure up to 78 per cent – quite a feat.
Dr Borg and his team have good reason to be proud of the considerable improvement made in the utilisation of the funds, first negotiated by the Nationalist administration.
It is hoped that they will keep up their work at this rhythm as it would be a pity if the country were to lose any of the funds available.
Maybe the administrative machinery was not at at first in a good position to tackle what must certainly be a massive job, requiring dedication and skill in various aspects of project implementation.
The exercise also requires strong direction and strict discipline by the beneficiaries in meeting deadlines and other conditions made in the granting of the funds. Failure to meet deadlines is not always due to unforeseen circumstances, as some project leaders are so often prone to claim, but could also be the result of poor direction and management. However, with the learning curve over, the administration ought to be in a better position to, in Dr Borg’s words, “hit the ground running to ensure there is enough time for projects to be implemented”.
There is another point that would have to be kept in mind: maintenance of the projects financed out of these funds.
This is an area where Malta has much to improve upon.
It is pointless, for instance, to turn a neglected site into the most beautiful place if it is not regularly maintained.
Design, layout and workmanship have generally improved but maintenance standards are still low.
In the funding programme that has just been approved, the government will be giving priority to research, innovation, ICT, assistance to SMEs, education, training, lifelong learning, and alternative energy.
These are all sectors that stand to gain through a fresh injection of funds.