The EU Projects Advisers Association of Malta (EUPAAM) has been created to improve the uptake of EU funds to Malta. It will create a systematic, efficient process that builds better funding results whatever the funding category applied for by public and private companies, organisations or institutions.

EUPAAM sees itself as a champion of Maltese innovation. This business driver will generate the most successful funding appropriations for those decision-makers who wish to bring their businesses or organisations in line with Europe and the opportunities that it offers.

Anton Theuma, director of Paragon Europe and founder of EUPAAM, said: "Knowledge-creating regions such as the EU are moving towards the specific goals of creating wealth, growth in jobs, and sustainable development. The Lisbon Agenda is the EU's blueprint towards achieving this goal. The EU budgets billions of euros that aim to promote and address these objectives. We see our role at EUPAAM as a means to ensure that the appropriate funds allocated to achieve these objectives for Malta get to the local business community successfully and quickly."

Despite the cost involved in developing submissions to win funding, successful compliance opens up new markets for companies at European and global level that would otherwise be too difficult to penetrate. The association seeks to find consensus with those local and EU stakeholders who are able to affect the outcome of these EU funding opportunities for Malta. Key to success is matching the organisation's proposed project with the correct funding process.

EUPAAM is an independent, neutral body that represents the interests of business professionals who need to practise EU consultancy and project management at EU level. It aims to build a professional body of like-minded specialists with an esprit de corps and who are dedicated to achieving a better environment for those Malta businesses.

EUPAAM will conduct and publish valuable research that will be beneficial to its stakeholders. The association will publish information and create resources, both on- and off-line for reference. All stakeholders interested in EUPAAM's aims may also become association members. EUPAAM is also a platform to engage with stakeholders in sharing project ideas and proposals that lend themselves to suitable EU funding criteria. The organisation's founding members include Paragon Europe, Hogg Capital Recruitment Services, Holistic Technologies, and Ogilvy Malta.

The Mosta-based association may be contacted on 2339 0112, 2141 8756 or at info@eupaam.org. For further information visit www.www.eupaam.org.