Your Excellency,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Distinguished representatives from the Financial Mechanism Office, esteemed colleagues from the Strategy and Implementation Division, project partners, stakeholders, and honoured guests – good morning.

It is both a pleasure and a privilege to address you at this final conference marking the conclusion of the EEA and Norway Grants 2014–2021 programming period. While today we draw this chapter to a close, we also celebrate the journey, the partnerships we have built, and the tangible results achieved thanks to this invaluable financial mechanism.

 

“The EEA and Norway Grants are more than a funding tool – they are a symbol of solidarity, a mechanism built on shared European values and a common vision for social and economic cohesion.”

Malta has been proud to take part in this collaborative effort, and the results speak for themselves.

Through the generous support of Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, our country was entrusted with €8 million in funding. But the value of this support goes far beyond the monetary figure. What we see today is a portfolio of projects that reflect the needs of our communities and the strategic direction of our national policy. We see real investment in social inclusion, in the empowerment of youth, in the strengthening of local governance, and in the preservation of our cultural identity.

From training local council staff and executive secretaries to better serve local communities, to helping young people reintegrate into civil society; from supporting victims of domestic violence to restoring our maritime heritage – each initiative has contributed to building a more inclusive, more resilient, and more just society.

But none of this would have been possible without good governance and clear objectives. Funding, on its own, does not transform lives. What matters is how those funds are managed, coordinated, and deployed.

I must take this opportunity to express my deepest appreciation to the Funds and Programmes Division (FPD) within Malta’s European Funds administration at Fondi.eu. As the national focal point and implementing body, their dedication, professionalism, and tireless commitment have been critical in turning opportunities into lasting benefits for our communities.

This Government has always believed in strategic planning and responsible leadership when it comes to European and international funding. We do not view these resources as mere financial support – we see them as tools for transformation. That is why we have worked to make the best use out of the resources received, ensuring they are translated into measurable outcomes. And that is why we will continue to place European solidarity and international collaboration at the heart of our policy-making.

This is our political commitment: to build a stronger, fairer, and more sustainable Malta by investing wisely and aligning projects with our national goals – especially in areas like social welfare, youth development, sustainable infrastructure, and community cohesion.

Today’s event is also about looking forward. The networks created, the experiences shared, and the lessons learned throughout this programming period form the basis for future success. We are already preparing for what comes next – not just in terms of the next round of EEA and Norway Grants, but across all EU-funded initiatives. The structures and capacities we have built, especially within the Funds and Programmes Division, put us in an excellent position to lead with confidence and ambition.

In conclusion, let us not see this conference merely as an ending, but rather as a foundation. Let us carry forward the momentum and spirit of cooperation that this Programme has fostered. Together, we have shown that even with limited funds, we can achieve meaningful, lasting change when those funds are guided by vision, managed with integrity, and implemented with purpose.

Thank you.

“Solidarity, collaboration, and the belief in a society that empowers young people to lead with purpose.”

The 2025 edition of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Annual Event at Smart City, held under the theme The Power of Together, brought together a vibrant community of volunteers, project leaders, and organisations to celebrate the transformative power of youth-led initiatives across Malta and Europe.

This gathering was more than just a celebration — it was a reaffirmation of the core values that drive the ESC: solidarity, collaboration, and the belief in a society that empowers young people to lead with purpose. The event showcased the incredible work being carried out by dedicated volunteers and highlighted how these initiatives translate European values into action, from promoting environmental protection and social inclusion to supporting vulnerable communities.

During the event, participants had the opportunity to present their projects and share their experiences through interactive stalls and activities. The creativity and passion on display were a testament to the lasting impact these programmes are having on local communities and on the volunteers themselves.

A key message echoed throughout the day was the importance of continuing to support these efforts through European funding. In this regard, the European Union Programmes Agency (EUPA) was commended for its exceptional coordination of initiatives such as Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps. The effective management and accessibility of these programmes ensure that more young people in Malta can benefit from meaningful opportunities for growth, learning, and contribution.

Particular recognition was also given to the organisations holding the ESC Quality Label. Their commitment to providing enriching, well-structured volunteering experiences plays a crucial role in helping young people develop the skills and values they need to thrive in today’s society.

This year’s event followed Malta’s successful hosting of the 4th European Youth Work Convention, which convened hundreds of youth workers, policymakers, and young leaders from across Europe. Both events reflect the country’s ongoing commitment to shaping a future where young people are not only heard but also supported in becoming active agents of change.

As the ESC Annual Event concluded, the message was clear: Malta is proud to champion the spirit of solidarity, and it remains steadfast in its support for programmes that invest in the next generation. The energy and dedication of all participants continue to inspire and remind us of the difference young people can make when given the right tools and opportunities.

F’Buġibba, ġie inawgurat proġett ambizzjuż ieħor tant meħtieġ, li bla dubju se jkun essenzjali għal din iż-żona u l-madwar, fi Tramuntana ta’ Malta.

Investiment li permezz tiegħu qed nkomplu nsaħħu t-trasport pubbliku b’aktar kumdità u speditezza b’mezzi alternattivi. Investiment ieħor magħmul bi ħsieb, mhux biss biex jaqdi in-neċessitajiet tal-lum, iżda wkoll li qed jantiċipa in-neċessitajiet u r-rotot relatati anke mas-settur turistiku, li sena wara l-oħra qed ikompli jikber. Investiment li jurina ukoll kif il-fondi Ewropej, meta jkunu immexxija b’mod responsabbli u strateġiku, jistgħu joħolqu differenza vera u reali fil-ħajja tan-nies.

Il-proġett tal-breakwater u l-moll f’Buġibba, sar bħala parti mill-proġett SMITHS – Sustainable Multi Intermodal Transport Hubs across Malta and Gozo – proġett aktar wiesgħa li jinkludi wkoll l-mollijiet f’Bormla u f’Tas-Sliema, jirrappreżenta investiment ta’ madwar €14 miljun, li minnhom madwar €5.7 miljuni ġew ffinanzjati mill-Fond Ewropew għall-Iżvilupp Reġjonali.

F’pajjiż bħal tagħna, fejn l-ispazju huwa limitat u l-pressjoni fuq l-infrastruttura hija kbira, għandna bżonn naraw aktar u aktar nies jħallu l-karozza u jagħżlu mezzi alternattivi oħra. Permezz ta’ dan il-proġett qed noħolqu għażliet ġodda – għażliet li jgħinu biex jitnaqqas it-traffiku fuq l-art, titjieb il-kwalità tal-arja u nkomplu nindirizzaw il-bidla fil-klima. Objettivi li l-Kummissjoni Ewropea tobbligana naħdmu fuqhom biex flimkien mal-istati membri l-oħra, nilħqu l-mira tan-newtralità kilimatika sal-2050.

Dan huwa wkoll l-ħsieb wara l-proġett SMITHS li għadni kif semmejt – proġett strateġiku li għandu l-għan li jniedi bidla fid-drawwiet tat-trasport f’pajjiżna. Huwa mmirat li jagħmilna inqas dipendenti fuq il-karozza privata u ħafna iktar favur mezzi kollettivi, aktar nodfa u alternattivi. Fost dawn insemmi:

• Tlett siti tal-laneċ f’Bormla, Tas-Sliema u issa hawn f’Buġibba.
• Linji separati għaċ-ċikliżmu f’Bormla u Buqana.
• Tlett pontijiet pedonali ġodda f’Blata l-Bajda, Ħal Luqa u Raħal Ġdid.
• Multi-modal hub fix-Xewkija, li jinkludi terminal għal karozzi elettriċi u parkeġġ għal 300 vettura.
• Flotta ġdida ta’ 6 EV-buses f’Għawdex, flimkien ma’ 130 charging pillars.
• Kampanja nazzjonali ta’ għarfien u edukazzjoni biex iġġib bidla fil-kultura tat-trasport.

Dan il-proġett (SMITHS) qed isir b’finzjament globali ta’ €26.5 miljun mill-Fond Ewropew għall-Iżvilupp Reġjonali. Permezz tiegħu u l-ħidma kontinwa tal-Gvern u l-entitajiet fi ħdan il-Ministeru għat-Trasport, qed nittrasformaw b’mod komprensiv is-sistema ta’ trasport pubbliku f’Malta u Għawdex.

Iżda dan mhux biss.

Investiment ewlieni ieħor se jkun l-implimentazzjoni tal-Pjan ta’ Mobilità Urbana Sostenibbli (SUMP) għall-Belt Valletta – pjan li huwa allinjat ma’ strateġiji nazzjonali oħra bħall-Master Plan għat-Trasport 2025, l-Istrateġija u l-Pjan ta’ Azzjoni għaċ-Ċikliżmu u l-qasam tal-mikro-mobilità, bil-għan li titjieb l-integrazzjoni tal-mezzi tat-trasport u jitnaqqas l-iffullar urban.

Permezz tal-proġett C-SAM, Malta se tkompli tinvesti f’infrastruttura urbana bħalma huma mogħdijiet pedonali, korsiji għaċ-ċikliżmu u pontijiet biex tissaħħaħ il-konnettività multimodali.

Appoġġ addizzjonali mill-Fond għal Tranżizzjoni Ġusta (JTF) se jiffoka fuq id-dekarbonizzazzjoni tal-portijiet marittimi. Fl-istess waqt, il-Fond għall-Irkupru u Reżiljenza qed joffri għotjiet biex tiġi mħeġġa l-adozzjoni ta’ vetturi elettriċi (EVs).

U fl-aħħar, b’allokazzjoni addizzjonali mill-Fond ta’ Koeżjoni, Malta se tkompli testendi n-netwerk nazzjonali tal-iċċarġjar f’Malta u Għawdex.

Fondi taħt diversi programmi li ġejjin mill-Unjoni Ewropea, iżda li f’idejna jsarrfu f’opportunitajiet għal proġetti kbar għall-Maltin u l-Għawdxin, u dawk kollha li jżuru pajjiżna.

Huwa tassew inkorraġġanti li tara entitajiet u aġenziji fi ħdan il-Gvern f’setturi diversi, bħal dawk relatati mas-settur tat-trasport, jaħdmu bi sħiħ biex jsiru proġetti ambizzjużi bħal dan tal-lum, anke fuq livell nazzjonali, b’finanzjamenti minn Fondi Ewropej.

Iżda l-investiment minn fondi Ewropej jmur lil hinn minn dan is-settur. Il-fondi qed jintużaw biex nappoġġjaw lill-bdiewa u s-sajjieda tagħna, li ta’ kuljum qed iħabbtu wiċċhom ma’ sfidi relatati mal-bidla fil-klima u l-isfidi tas-suq.

Qegħdin jintużaw biex inħarsu l-ambjent naturali tagħna, bħalma għamilna permezz tal-proġetti fil-Miżieb, fl-Aħrax u fiż-żoni Natura 2000.

Qegħdin jintużaw biex ngħinu wkoll lin-negozji żgħar u medji jkomplu jkabbru l-ekonomija u joħolqu impjiegi ġodda.

Qed jintużaw fl-oqsma soċjali biex noffru aktar servizzi għal dawk l-aktar vulnerabbli.

“L-istrateġija hija ċara: użu għaqli, għal riżultati konkreti.”

Il-Gvern hu impenjat li kull ewro li nidħlu għalih permezz tal-fondi Ewropej ikun investit bl-ogħla sens ta’ responsabbiltà u bil-għan li ntejjbu l-ħajja tal-Maltin u l-Għawdxin.

L-istrateġija hija ċara: użu għaqli, għal riżultati konkreti. Dan huwa essenzjali biex pajjiżna jibqa’ jikseb ammonti konsiderevoli ta’ Fondi Ewropej fil-futur.

Hawn ma nistax ma naghtix rikonoxximent xieraq lid-Diviżjoni għall-Istrateġija u l-Implimentazzjoni fi ħdan il-Ministeru għall-Fondi Ewropej li qed twettaq xogħol impekkabbli biex kull ewro li niksbu minn dawn il-Fondi jasal fejn għandu jasal, fi żmien stabbilit, filwaqt li jiġu rispettati l-kundizzjonijiet kollha tal-programmi rispettivi. Xogħol li għalkemm ma jidhirx, nistgħu ngħidu li huwa l-pedament li fuqu nwettqu proġetti bħal tal-lum.

Lura għal dan proġett f’Buġibba, ilkoll nafu kemm din iż-żona saret diffiċli, anke biex wieħed jipparkja, kemm ghar-residenti kif ukoll għal dawk li jiġu jgawdu din il-lokalità vibranti. U għalhekk, kull karozza li jirnexxilna nnaqqsu permezz ta’ din ir-rotta marittima ġdida, tkun ta’ benefiċċju kbir għal pubbliku u għall-ambjent.

Dan il-proġett f’Buġibba se jkun ukoll ta’ benefiċċju kbir għall-ekonomija turistika tagħna. Għax meta l-infrastruttura tkun ta’ kwalità, meta tkun aċċessibbli u konnessa, noħolqu esperjenzi aħjar għall-viżitaturi tagħna.

“Il-fondi Ewropej huma għodda qawwija. F’idejna hemm ir-responsabbiltà li nużawhom b’għaqal u b’għan ċar: li nibnu pajjiż aħjar.”

Għalhekk issa għandna mezz alternattiv, komdu u sikur li jwassal lejn lokalitajiet turistiċi bħalma huma Buġibba u San Pawl il-Baħar. Dan jagħti valur miżjud lin-negozji lokali, lill-operaturi tat-turiżmu u, fl-aħħar mill-aħħar, lill-komunità kollha. Bit-tlestija ta’ dan il-proġett, qed nwettqu wkoll wegħda elettorali oħra li saret mal-poplu Malti u Għawdxi li ser iżid il-konnettività bil-baħar u tgħaqqad is-servizz tal-lanċa mill-Port il-Kbir u l-Port ta’ Marsamxett mat-Tramuntana ta’ Malta.

Dan hu l-Gvern li qiegħed iwettaq dak li wiegħed: Gvern li jimpenja ruħu kif jiltaqa’ mal-aspettattivi tal-poplu, li juża fondi Ewropej għal proġetti li jagħmlu l-bidla — mhux biss fl-infrastruttura, iżda fil-kwalità tal-ħajja, fis-setturi ekonomiċi u fl-ambjent.

Ma nistax ma nirringrazzjax għal darboħra lil Infrastructure Malta, lill-Ministeru tat-Trasport u lill-imsieħba kollha li ħadmu fuq dan il-proġett, kif ukoll lill-persuni fi ħdan il-Ministeru tiegħi u dawk kollha involuti fil-ġestjoni u l-monitoraġġ tal-fondi Ewropej. Il-ħidma tagħkom hija kruċjali biex dawn il-proġetti jsiru realtà u jkunu ta’ ġid għal kulħadd.

Il-fondi Ewropej huma għodda qawwija. F’idejna hemm ir-responsabbiltà li nużawhom b’għaqal u b’għan ċar: li nibnu pajjiż aħjar – pajjiż li jħares ’il quddiem, li jirrispetta lill-ambjent, li jappoġġja lis-setturi produttivi tiegħu u li jservi lin-nies tiegħu.

“…a flagship initiative of the European Union under the Erasmus+ framework”

There are moments in a young person’s life that shape their future – a journey, an encounter with someone from a different culture, a new perspective that alters how they see the world. This year, 41 young people from Malta who have just turned 18 have been selected to participate in the DiscoverEU programme – a flagship initiative of the European Union under the Erasmus+ framework.

DiscoverEU is more than a travel opportunity. It is a meaningful invitation for young people to step outside their comfort zones, explore new environments, and connect with other youths across the continent. This experience enables them to engage with different cultures, build friendships beyond borders, and most importantly, discover themselves.

This initiative reflects the Government’s commitment to provide young people with real opportunities to grow, to understand the value of European unity, and to gain a deeper awareness of how the European Union works and how it impacts their daily lives. Travel opens doors – and through DiscoverEU, we are giving these young citizens the keys to unlock them.

But this journey also has the potential to become the first step towards something even greater. As Minister responsible for European Funds, I encourage our youth to consider not only discovering Europe but also becoming active participants in its future. There are countless career paths within the EU institutions and agencies, and we need more Maltese young people to be aware of – and aspire to – these professional opportunities. Europe needs their energy, their ideas, and their commitment.

I would also like to take this opportunity to express sincere thanks and appreciation to the European Union Programmes Agency (EUPA). Their excellent coordination and dedication ensure that programmes such as DiscoverEU reach our youth in an effective and inclusive way. Their work continues to empower the next generation of leaders, innovators, and engaged citizens.

“We are helping our youth grow beyond our shores while strengthening their identity as both Maltese and European.”

Our vision for Malta’s future – as outlined in Malta’s Vision 2050 – places young people at the heart of sustainable, economic, and social development. Through initiatives like DiscoverEU, we are actively investing in that vision. We are helping our youth grow beyond our shores while strengthening their identity as both Maltese and European.

I urge all eligible young people to explore what DiscoverEU has to offer. This may very well be the start of a journey that changes your life.

 

“How a country treats its ageing population speaks volumes about its values.”

Through the Technical Support Instrument (TSI), Malta is driving an ambitious reform to strengthen the long-term care system for older citizens — a reform that reflects both our national priorities and our European values.

At first glance, this may seem like a technical project. But it is so much more. It is a conscious choice — a choice to place dignity, inclusion, and sustainability at the core of how we care for our elderly. It is a reflection of what we, as a society, believe in. How a country treats its ageing population speaks volumes about its values.

The project, led by the Ministry for Health and Active Ageing, is an important step in aligning Malta’s care systems with the European Care Strategy. As Minister responsible for European Funds, I take great pride that this reform is made possible through TSI support — a funding instrument designed specifically to enable complex and strategic reforms across Europe.

Our Ministry, acting as Malta’s National Coordinating Authority, worked closely with the Ministry for Health and the European Commission to secure this support. We will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the project team throughout its implementation. The TSI offers much more than funding — it brings expert knowledge, best practices from across Europe, and a structured approach that helps deliver real and lasting impact.

Each TSI project is tailored to the unique priorities of each Member State, helping us address national needs while also contributing to the wider objectives of the European Union. In Malta, the Strategy and Implementation Division within my Ministry ensures that this tool is used effectively and strategically.

“By the end of 2024, 42 TSI projects — worth more than €15.5 million — had been approved for Malta. For 2025, we will add 13 more projects to this list.”

And we are seeing results. By the end of 2024, 42 TSI projects — worth more than €15.5 million — had been approved for Malta. For 2025, we will add 13 more projects to this list. Some will be led by Malta, while others will see us collaborating with fellow EU countries, showing how shared European values can drive collective progress.

The project we launched this week goes beyond healthcare. It represents a societal commitment — a commitment to fairness, justice, and responsible governance. It is a promise to Malta’s older population, and to the many carers — often women — who support them every day.

This is exactly what European funds should achieve. Yes, building infrastructure matters. But it is just as important to build better systems — systems that serve people and prepare us for the future.

As Minister responsible for EU funds, I reaffirm our commitment to support projects that turn challenges into opportunities and policies into real progress. The launch of this project is a milestone, and I hope it will also serve as a turning point — showing how European solidarity, national leadership, and local expertise can combine to improve lives in meaningful ways.

The collaboration with the European Commission, and in particular with SG REFORM, has been instrumental in making this project a reality. I am grateful for this partnership, and I look forward to seeing its tangible results for Malta’s elderly and the dedicated carers who support them.

Together, let us continue building a fairer, more inclusive society — one project, one reform, one life at a time.