Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1546635
5 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 SEPTEMBER 2026 NEWS THIS IS A PAID COLLABORATION EIT Community Hub Malta encourages Maltese innovators to connect with European innovation networks EIT Community Hub Malta, which is supported by the Euro- pean Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union is encouraging Maltese businesses, start-ups, universities, researchers and other organisations with ambi- tions to grow internationally to tap into EIT's extensive inno- vation network. This network has been specifically designed strengthen Europe's innovation capacity. The EIT Community Hub Malta is highlighting the opportuni- ties available through the EIT's Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), which bring together companies, SMEs and start-ups, universities, research organisations, investors, public bodies and civil society organi- sations from across Europe. For Maltese organisations, be- coming involved in these com- munities can provide access to potential commercial and re- search partners, specialist exper- tise, consortium building and matchmaking opportunities, in- novation programmes, training and greater visibility within Eu- ropean innovation ecosystems. Diana Miceli, EIT Community Officer Malta, said, "For Maltese organisations serious about growing internationally, we need to think beyond individual funding calls. A European strat- egy is also a relationship strate- gy. The EIT communities bring together the right companies, universities, researchers and innovators that Maltese organ- isations may want to work with when addressing a societal chal- lenge. Rather than approaching every European opportunity from scratch, becoming part of these networks can help Maltese organisations build relation- ships and establish a stronger presence within the ecosystems where new collaborations and projects are being developed." The EIT's communities span a broad range of sectors that are directly relevant to Malta's econ- omy and research community. These include climate innova- tion and resilience; digital tech- nologies, deep tech, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity; food and agriculture; healthcare and life sciences; sustainable en- ergy; raw materials and the cir- cular economy; water resilience and the blue economy; cultural and creative industries and sus- tainable transport and urban mobility. While access to funding is an important part of the European innovation landscape, participa- tion in these networks can offer benefits well before a funding application is submitted. Euro- pean research and innovation projects frequently depend on strong international consortia, while commercial expansion and technology development can require relationships with businesses, researchers, cus- tomers and specialist partners outside Malta. Different EIT communities offer different membership, partnership and engagement models, with the appropriate route depending on the or- ganisation's sector, size, objec- tives and level of involvement. Membership or partnership fees may apply in some cas- es and participation does not guarantee access to funding or selection for projects. In- stead, its value lies in giving organisations the opportunity to become active participants in networks where partner- ships, projects and commer- cial opportunities are continu- ally being developed. Miceli said organisations should therefore consider their longer-term Europe- an ambitions when deciding whether participation in an EIT community could be ben- eficial. "The starting point should be where an organisa- tion wants to be in Europe in three to five years, which or- ganisations it needs to know and which networks can help it build those relationships. Malta's size should not pre- vent our businesses, research- ers and innovators from being part of Europe's largest inno- vation ecosystems." The EIT Community Hub Mal- ta can help local organisations identify the communities most relevant to their activities and ambitions and explore the membership, partnership and other engagement opportuni- ties available. Organisations interested in finding out which EIT com- munity could be the right fit for them can contact Diana Miceli, EIT Community Officer Malta, at malta@eitcommuni- ty.eu for an initial discussion about the opportunities avail- able and the most appropriate route into the EIT Community. Chamber demands prime minister 'calls a spade a spade' on public finances BUSINESSES are being private- ly warned about tight public fi- nances, while the public is being told it is "business as usual", the Chamber of Commerce said. Chamber President William Spiteri Bailey called on Prime Minister Robert Abela to "call a spade a spade". Spiteri Bailey made the re- marks during a pre-budget meeting with Abela, insisting that both businesses and the public deserve to hear the full picture about Malta's economy. He referred to government's first 100 days conference last week, during which it present- ed Malta's economic situation positively and suggested things would continue to be "business as usual". However, he contrasted this with a far more cautious mes- sage delivered just two days later at the MCESD by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana, who warned about energy prices, pressure on the deficit and the very limited room for further expenditure. "We cannot have a situation where we are told one thing behind closed doors, while the impression given to the outside world is that everything is run- ning smoothly," Spiteri Bailey said. "If difficult decisions lie ahead, we start preparing for them now." The chamber also called for stronger governance, argu- ing that investors look beyond taxes and incentives to factors such as stability, certainty, the country's reputation, the rule of law and institutions with the independence, resources, com- petence and courage to carry out their duties without fear or favour. "The rule of law must apply equally to everyone," Spiteri Bailey said. "It is unacceptable for a legitimate business to have to compete with those who dis- regard the rules yet face no con- sequences." Turning to energy, Spiteri Bailey called for Malta to begin transitioning away from energy subsidies while increasing in- vestment in renewable energy. He noted that international institutions such as the IMF, together with national bodies including the Central Bank of Malta and the Malta Fiscal Ad- visory Council, have repeatedly warned that subsidies are not a long-term solution to the ener- gy crisis. He said government spent nearly €300 million on fuel sub- sidies between 2022 and 2025. Had fuel prices instead been increased by around nine cents per litre during that period, he said, approximately €100 mil- lion in subsidy costs could have been saved. Spiteri added that, had that €100 million been redirected towards incentives for invest- ment in renewable energy sys- tems, government could have almost tripled the capital grants available for such systems over the same period. EVA BRANNON ebrannon@mediatoday.com.mt Chamber of Commerce President William Spiteri Bailey (third from left) leading a delegation in a meeting with government (Photo: Chamber of Commerce)