Three Erasmus+ schemes have been launched which will give an opportunity to sports organisations, coaches, club staff and volunteers to join their European friends in opportunities abroad.
These were launched during a news conference by the Minister for Education, Sports, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima, the Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Chris Bonett, and the CEO of – European Union Programs Agency (EUPA) Joseph Schembri.
Thanks to this new call, from 2023 onwards, every year around 30 coaches from different clubs will be sent to train abroad. By 2027, with an investment of around €135,000 no less than 150 coaches will have been sent, so that the clubs and sports associations continue to honor our country on a European level.
Another scheme financed directly by the European Commission, with an investment of around €50 million per year, gives the opportunity for Maltese and Gozitan sports organizations to strengthen their structures, competences and operations by joining projects of ‘ partnerships with other countries.
Young sportsmen between the ages of 13 and 30 are also being given the opportunity to participate in youth exchanges, with an investment of €700,000 each year.
Minister Grima spoke about the government’s commitment in this sector, not only by raising the level of sports facilities to an international level, but also by investing directly in athletes, sports officials and above all the young people. “The budget for next year is seeing an investment of €18.7 million, which is being invested so that the athletes can enjoy the best sports facilities on an international level, but also to help the athletes, the officials and young people reach their aspirations, even with financial help and opportunities outside our country,” said Minister Grima.
Parliamentary Secretary Chris Bonett said that once again, through funds coming from the European Commission, they are giving more opportunities to sportsmen to train and get opportunities abroad. He explained that, “Through the initiative of coaches and youth exchanges, until 2027, we will be giving an opportunity for sportsmen to participate in projects together with foreign sportsmen, and that potentially, together they can benefit from a package of funds exclusive to Malta which reaches €3.5 million. This amount can continue to grow if Maltese organizations make an effort to participate in partnership projects, which fall under the centralized action.”
The CEO of EUPA Joseph Schembri encouraged those present and all the sports organizations in Malta to ensure that they maximize the use of these opportunities by talking to EUPA or European Services in Malta to get more detailed information and the necessary help on each scheme that has been announced. He emphasized that the European Union believes that for every athlete to achieve success, it is not enough to dedicate a long time to training, but there is also the crucial need for every athlete to develop personal and social skills and these are offered by the program Erasmus+.
