Assisting in the implementation of EU funded projects for the benefit of local communities

Article written by Lynn Spiteri, Manager, EU Funding at SEM

Published in The Malta Independent

Becoming one of the Member States of the European Union (EU) entails several benefits, including access to EU funding programmes. Local organisations such as schools, local councils, social partners and voluntary organisations might not always have the capacity and resources to access such funding.

Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta (SEM) is a government agency which addresses this need by providing information about EU funding opportunities to individuals and organisations, including through the setting up of personalised one-to-one meetings to discuss project ideas and areas of interest.

Once a suitable funding opportunity has been identified, SEM assists non-profit making entities with the completion of application forms to request EU funding and support during the implementation of EU funded projects.

Since EU funds are public funds, organisations which successfully apply for EU grants agree to a set of terms and conditions for the implementation of their project and the spending of the EU grant. These terms and conditions are designed to ensure the accountability of beneficiary organisations and to make clear the consequences of non-compliance.

For years, SEM has been assisting hundreds of local organisations to apply for EU funds for their projects. Now, they can also benefit from being assisted in the implementation of their projects which is the more challenging phase of benefitting from EU funds. SEM project implementation support services aim to provide guidance to organisations to implement projects in line with the terms agreed with the fund operator. The services can be tailored to the needs of individual organisations.

Agency representatives can provide support with specific areas of project implementation or by shadowing organisations throughout the project lifetime. EU funded projects vary in size, budget, objectives and planned activities. Nonetheless, they still retain common elements such as reporting obligations to the fund operator, as well as dissemination and visibility obligations for the promotion of the project and the EU co-financing received.

Any EU funded project can be subject to an audit, while it is being implemented as well as after it has ended. Audits are investigations into the proper implementation of projects and can be undertaken by national entities, the European Commission or entities appointed by it. Availing of SEM project implementation support services ensures that organisations implementing EU funded projects can receive the necessary guidance for proper project implementation.

The Agency has developed a number of resources and made them available free of charge on the SEM website accessible at sem.gov.mt. These informative documents cover different aspects relating to the implementation of EU funded projects, such as understanding the terms and conditions tied to spending of the EU grant and the importance of retention of project documents even after the end of the project.

For more information on SEM services and how we can assist you to reap the benefits of EU funds, please contact us on 2200 3300, info.sem@gov.mt or by visiting sem.gov.mt.