Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1029140
NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 19 SEPTEMBER 2018 2 ANNOUNCEMENT Business Enhance ERDF Grant Schemes Open Rolling Calls – Cut-off dates Operational Programme I – Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges The Measures and Support Division within the Ministry for European Affairs and Equality, designated by the Managing Authority for Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 as the Intermediate Body responsible for administering aid schemes for enterprises under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2014 – 2020, would like to announce further cut-off dates up to June 2019 for the submission of applications under the Business Enhance ERDF Grant Schemes intiative. The cut-off dates are published on the Business Enhance website https://businessenhance.gov.mt and may be accessed from https://businessenhance.gov.mt/en/News/Pages/OPEN-CALLS-.aspx Dates and venues for Information Sessions may be found from the same Business Enhance website. Further information on these calls including the respective Guidance Notes and the Guidelines for Implementation may be obtained from https://businessenhance.gov.mt. ANNOUNCEMENT Business Enhance ERDF Grant Schemes Open Rolling Calls – Cut-off dates Operational Programme I – Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges The Measures and Support Division within the Ministry for European Affairs and Equality, designated by the Managing Authority for Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 as the Intermediate Body responsible for administering aid schemes for enterprises under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2014 – 2020, would like to announce further cut-off dates up to June 2019 for the submission of applications under the Business Enhance ERDF Grant Schemes intiative. The cut-off dates are published on the Business Enhance website https://businessenhance.gov.mt and may be accessed from https://businessenhance.gov.mt/en/News/Pages/OPEN-CALLS-.aspx Dates and venues for Information Sessions may be found from the same Business Enhance website. Further information on these calls including the respective Guidance Notes and the Guidelines for Implementation may be obtained from https://businessenhance.gov.mt. Operational Programme I – European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020 "Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges" Advert part-financed by the European Regional and Development Fund Co-financing rate: Public Eligible (80% European Union; 20% National Funds ) ANNOUNCEMENT Business Enhance ERDF Grant Schemes Open Rolling Calls – Cut-off dates Operational Programme I – Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges The Measures and Support Division within the Ministry for European Affairs and Equality, designated by the Managing Authority for Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 as the Intermediate Body responsible for administering aid schemes for enterprises under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2014 – 2020, would like to announce further cut-off dates up to June 2019 for the submission of applications under the Business Enhance ERDF Grant Schemes intiative. The cut-off dates are published on the Business Enhance website https://businessenhance.gov.mt and may be accessed from https://businessenhance.gov.mt/en/News/Pages/OPEN-CALLS-.aspx Dates and venues for Information Sessions may be found from the same Business Enhance website. Further information on these calls including the respective Guidance Notes and the Guidelines for Implementation may be obtained from https://businessenhance.gov.mt. ANNOUNCEMENT Business Enhance ERDF Grant Schemes Open Rolling Calls – Cut-off dates Operational Programme I – Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges The Measures and Support Division within the Ministry for European Affairs and Equality, designated by the Managing Authority for Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 as the Intermediate Body responsible for administering aid schemes for enterprises under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2014 – 2020, would like to announce further cut-off dates up to June 2019 for the submission of applications under the Business Enhance ERDF Grant Schemes intiative. The cut-off dates are published on the Business Enhance website https://businessenhance.gov.mt and may be accessed from https://businessenhance.gov.mt/en/News/Pages/OPEN-CALLS-.aspx Dates and venues for Information Sessions may be found from the same Business Enhance website. Further information on these calls including the respective Guidance Notes and the Guidelines for Implementation may be obtained from https://businessenhance.gov.mt. YANNICK PACE THE Planning Authority will have to decide whether to look out for the interests of thou- sands of residents, or that of a few wealthy developers when the PA board takes a final deci- sion on the ITS project tomor- row. Addressing a press confer- ence ahead of tomorrow's vote, activists and residents insisted that the project must be refused because it threatens thousands of people's basic quality of life. "We are not talking about some luxury here but the right to have a decent quality of life in the place you live," said An- dre Callus from the pressure group Graffitti. He insisted that the site that the project was being proposed on was never intended to host such a development. "Such intensive commercial activity was never envisaged. It is not suited for this location." Since it was proposed, the project has been opposed by all of Malta's environmental and civil society organisation, with no less than 12 NGOs and three local councils present at yesterday's conference. "It is worth noting that since this project was announced no- body has defended it." Callus said, pointing out that public opinion was overwhelmingly against the project, even when compared to other controver- sial projects. "This is not only about this project but about democracy." The board, Callus said, had an obligation towards society to refuse the permit. If issued however, the development will see the former ITS converted into a massive 38-storey hotel, a 17-storey apartment block, as well as several restaurants, night clubs and commercial ventures. Running through a long list of objections and concerns raised by both residents and competent authorities like the Environment and Resources Authority and the Planning Authority itself, Callus re- minded those present that if completed, the development's tower would almost literally bury Pembroke residents alive. During some parts of the year, residents would not be able to see the sun all day. The size of the project would also increase traffic congestion in an area that already hosted 14 schools and four sports clubs, he said. The fact that the pro- ject lies next to two Natura 200 sites could also not be ig- nored. "We believe that on Thurs- day the PA Board should refuse this project in no uncertain terms due to the very long list of harmful consequences and the fact that it is clearly not in line with the PA's own poli- cies." Pembroke mayor Dean Hili, who will sit on the board for the vote, and who has stated his intention to vote against the project, said that the local council couldn't but act in the interest of its residents. He too said that that such projects needed to account for the needs of society at large, rather than just a few powerful people. St Julian's mayor Guido Dalli described the project as mark- ing the beginning of the end for Pembroke, while Swieqi mayor Noel Muscat stressed that the increased traffic flows from the project would impact all the surrounding localities, includ- ing his own. He said he had attended to show solidarity with the resi- dents of Pembroke, given what they had been made to go through by an "obscene devel- opment". Graffitti urges PA to choose residents over wealthy few Analysis of how tomorrow's voting should play out PAGES 6 & 7 PAUL COCKS THE EU funds which Malta will receive post-2020 should con- solidate and sustain, not halt or hinder, the economic growth which Malta has experienced in recent years, the Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds said yesterday. Addressing a conference at- tended by ministers respon- sible for cohesion policy and European funds, Aaron Farru- gia insisted that the initial pro- posal put forward did not con- solidate the economic growth of the country. He expressed his disapproval at the cuts in cohesion funds which the European Commis- sion put forward in its initial proposal. Farrugia said that despite Malta's unprecedented eco- nomic growth, the country was nonetheless facing a num- ber of challenges in the ar- eas of environment, education, and innovation. He emphasised the need to prioritise the social element in the context of cohesion policy post-2020, such as accessibil- ity and affordable accommo- dation, particularly in light of new realities such as an ageing population. He said that cohesion policy should be discussed within the context of the future of Europe, and the vision of this future is that of a social Eu- rope. It is also necessary for cohesion policy to continue to consolidate the fast-growing Maltese economy. Farrugia noted that Malta was making continuous use of cohesion funds for a diverse number of projects and ini- tiatives which directly impact Maltese and Gozitan families, such as the oncology centre, two industrial parks in Ta' Qali and Xewkija, €50 million for businesses, €40 for vulner- able persons, the one tablet per child scheme, and the restora- tion of fortifications includ- ing those of St Angelo and Ċittadella, the latter being a fi- nalist in this year's Regio Stars Awards. He called for more flexibil- ity in the allocation of funds, and stressed the need for clear aims and considerations that go beyond a country's GDP. The level of education, cli- mate, the environment, and the level of innovation were all factors which should be considered in this regard, in order to ensure that EU funds made their way to citizens who needed them most and in ar- eas where they were also most needed. "Malta agrees that innovation is one of the key drivers for eco- nomic growth and that cohe- sion policy can contribute to- wards furthering development in this area," Farrugia said. "In the area of innovation, Malta has experienced good progress, however, further investment is required to ad- dress the gaps to further capi- talise on the opportunities that this sector can offer." Malta protests funds allocated in EU's 2020 cohesion policy