Launch of €15 million to support digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence in SMEs
The Government of Malta continues to strengthen investment in the digitalisation of businesses through the launch of Call 2 of the Digitalise your SME scheme, an initiative co-financed by European Funds.
This scheme is seeing a significant increase in investment, rising from an initial allocation of €5 million to €15 million. The initiative aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises to invest in digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence, thereby enhancing their competitiveness, efficiency, and resilience.
Through this scheme, enterprises can benefit from financial support to invest in digital solutions, intelligent systems, and innovative technologies that strengthen their operations. The maximum grant value is set at €128,400 for eligible actions, with an aid intensity of up to 50% for investments in Malta and 60% for investments in Gozo. In the case of projects that include Artificial Intelligence, additional support of up to €107,000 may be granted, bringing the total maximum support to €235,400.
The Minister for European Funds and the Implementation of the Electoral Programme, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, stated that this initiative forms an integral part of the Malta Vision 2050, which looks towards a more digital, sustainable, and resilient economy. He emphasised the crucial role of European Funds as a key instrument for economic and digital transformation.
The Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, Silvio Schembri, noted that this investment is supporting Maltese and Gozitan businesses in taking a step forward towards innovation and sustainable growth, particularly through the adoption of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence. “In the last Budget, we announced a total of €100 million in measures related to Artificial Intelligence and innovation, and today we are announcing the first €15 million of these, specifically targeted towards SMEs.”
The Chief Executive Officer of the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA), Kenneth Brincat, highlighted the importance of responsible and effective implementation of Artificial Intelligence within the private sector, as well as the role of digital governance in this transformation process.
Call 2 of the Digitalise your SME scheme will open on 1 July 2026, with the first cut-off date set for 31 July 2026. Aid schemes are administered through an open rolling system, allowing applicants to submit applications online at any time, with cut-off dates set approximately every 15 days. These cut-offs will continue to be announced until the end of 2026 and may be extended subject to budget availability.
The Government is also working closely with Malta’s Business Chambers, representative bodies, and Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta (SEM) to organise information sessions for interested applicants. Further information on these sessions will be published in the coming weeks on online platforms to ensure accessibility for all.
The Artificial Intelligence component will also benefit from additional support from the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA). This AI-related top-up will be disbursed one year after project completion, subject to the submission of a productivity gains report and an ethical AI and societal well-being report.
The Government encourages businesses to take advantage of these funding opportunities to continue investing in their future and to contribute to a more competitive and innovative Maltese economy.
For further information, applications are open through the official website fondi.eu.
