“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.
