Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta (SEM) will continue operating the Europe Direct Valletta information centre for the period May 2021 to December 2025 following its successful operation since 2018.
The new mandate for Europe Direct Valletta was launched at a press conference by the Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Carmelo Abela and SEM Chief Executive Mandy Falzon.
Europe Direct information centres are co-financed by the European Commission and are present in the entire European Union with 424 offices, three of which are in Malta and Gozo. The mission statement for these centres is to provide information regarding initiatives and laws of the European Union, funding programmes, and where necessary, to refer people and organisations towards other EU-related services.
Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Carmelo Abela said that through Europe Direct Valletta, collaborations between local entities especially through the representations of the EU institutions in Malta will continue.
He recalled that in March SEM continued to strengthen its mission by not only providing assistance related to EU funding applications, but now also providing assistance free of charge during the implementation phase of the projects. In the last year, 102 applications for funding were submitted, 323 meetings with organisations interested in applying for funds were held, 383 requests for information were answered, whilst 10 discussions were held regarding current themes in the EU. An additional 34 activities aimed at children were also held.
“Through SEM, the government is continuing to provide a useful tool so that citizens can have a reference point with regard to the European Union. Through SEM one can find information, voice their opinions, take part in activities and benefit from European funds”, stated Minister Carmelo Abela.
Chief Executive Officer of SEM Mandy Falzon said that Europe Direct increased SEM’s potential to better provide information to a wider range of people and to network with other Europe Direct centres in Malta and in Europe.
“Since 2018, the agency’s work continued to improve because Europe Direct gave SEM the opportunity to cooperate with a network of centres around Europe which provide a similar role in order to increase the awareness of what the European Union means”, stated Ms Falzon.
Europe Direct information centres are co-financed by the European Commission and are present in the entire European Union with 424 offices, three of which are in Malta and Gozo. The mission statement for these centres is to provide information regarding initiatives and laws of the European Union, funding programmes, and where necessary, to refer people and organisations towards other EU-related services.
Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Carmelo Abela said that through Europe Direct Valletta, collaborations between local entities especially through the representations of the EU institutions in Malta will continue.
He recalled that in March SEM continued to strengthen its mission by not only providing assistance related to EU funding applications, but now also providing assistance free of charge during the implementation phase of the projects. In the last year, 102 applications for funding were submitted, 323 meetings with organisations interested in applying for funds were held, 383 requests for information were answered, whilst 10 discussions were held regarding current themes in the EU. An additional 34 activities aimed at children were also held.
“Through SEM, the government is continuing to provide a useful tool so that citizens can have a reference point with regard to the European Union. Through SEM one can find information, voice their opinions, take part in activities and benefit from European funds”, stated Minister Carmelo Abela.
Chief Executive Officer of SEM Mandy Falzon said that Europe Direct increased SEM’s potential to better provide information to a wider range of people and to network with other Europe Direct centres in Malta and in Europe.
“Since 2018, the agency’s work continued to improve because Europe Direct gave SEM the opportunity to cooperate with a network of centres around Europe which provide a similar role in order to increase the awareness of what the European Union means”, stated Ms Falzon.
