Opinion: The Realities Of Competing For EU Direct Funds
Across Europe, the debate on EU funding is intensifying and rightly so. European investment is fundamental to innovation, sustainability, and the resilience of our economy. In Malta, we have long benefited from funds managed at national level: Cohesion Policy, for example, has transformed our infrastructure, supported businesses, and enhanced public services in visible and tangible ways.
Yet, as highlighted recently, there is growing interest in securing a larger share of direct EU funds – those awarded via competitive calls issued by the European Commission. Programmes like Horizon Europe, Connecting Europe Facility, LIFE or Creative Europe. They are powerful instruments which drive cutting-edge research, green transition, digital transformation, and cultural excellence.
We must be ambitious. But we must also be realistic.
Direct funds are not allocated by country. They are won in fierce competition against leading institutions, major corporations and world-class consortia from all EU Member States and beyond. Average success rates in top programmes are often below 20%. In some cases fewer than one in ten eligible proposals receive funding.
This is not a Maltese problem. It is the nature of the system.
For small Member States like ours, the challenge is structural. Some calls demand multi-million-euro consortia spanning several countries, large research capacities and deep specialization. Local councils, NGOs, start-ups and SMEs often struggle to meet that scale despite strong ideas and excellent execution. In practice, Malta and Maltese partners are typically not positioned to lead or even to bid for multi-million-euro projects.
So the question is not whether Malta should tap into more direct funding. That is essential and it is already happening. We absolutely must and we are. Infact, recently we supported the Customs Department in securing EU funds for a new, state-of-the-art operations van to make their more efficient and effective under the Customs Programme. The real challenge is determining how to do this in a strategic, coordinated and sustainable approach.
So what is currently being done and what will continue to be strengthened?
A number of support measures are in place to help Malta competing effectively for EU programmes
- Specialised guidance and tailored training for applicants
- Support in partnership-building across Europe
- Participation in international networking platforms
- Technical advisory services through Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta – the national EU one-stop shop
These initiatives are yielding positive results and moving forward, a coordinated national effort is key. Securing direct EU funding benefits local communities, strengthens national capabilities and supports long term economic and social development.
As participation in direct EU programmes grows, the objective is straightforward: to ensure that promising opportunities are identified and that capable organisations receive the support they need to apply effectively.
This work is about more than securing funding. It is about helping Malta remain an active and confident partner in Europe, collaborating, contributing expertise, and taking part in projects that support shared development and innovation.
Rodrick Zerafa is the CEO of Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta (SEM)