No. 1377
COHESION POLICY 2007-2013
Referring to recent media reports regarding the late submission of Government applications under Operational Programme I, Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of Life (2007-2013 Structural Fund Programme), it is important to place the matter in proper context as otherwise one might risk fuelling inaccurate perceptions rather than be objective and correct in one’s assessment.
First of all the total EU allocation of the Programme under which these calls were submitted is Euro 728 million. However, not all the Programme was launched. In line with a number of Government press releases issued during July and August of this year to publicise the call for projects, the total funds available for each Priority Axis under the Programme for this particular call were as follows:
Priority Axis 1, Focus Area Enterprise Infrastructure - Euro 25 million
Priority Axis 1, Focus Area Research and Development - Euro 20 million
Priority Axis 2, - Sustainable Tourism - Euro 80 million
Priority Axis 6, Internal Mobility - Euro 25 million
Priority Axis 6, Focus Area Education, Social and Health related Infrastructure - Euro 20 million
One should note that these are the financial thresholds available for this call. There is no threshold on the individual projects as long as they do not go beyond the allocated amount for the call.
Guidelines are very clear on the timeliness of the submission of projects and all conditions, including those of eligibility, apply to all proposals, including those of Government. This is in itself proof of the seriousness and transparency of the process. Over 70 applications were received for the ERDF call that closed on Friday 7th September. It is clearly a very competitive process and only the best eligible projects that meet the objectives and targets of the Programme are eventually selected.
It should be noted that no funds are lost to the country as these funds are secured in Malta. This is a seven year Programme and hence several calls for projects will be issued over the seven years.
Finally,it is normal practice and within the right of the department or entity to investigate and take remedial action if it feels that any of its managers or employees acted irresponsibly.
DOI – 14.09.2007
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