{"id":57411,"date":"2026-05-05T10:37:04","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T09:37:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/?p=57411"},"modified":"2026-05-05T10:37:04","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T09:37:04","slug":"launch-of-e15-million-to-support-digitalisation-and-artificial-intelligence-in-smes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/05\/launch-of-e15-million-to-support-digitalisation-and-artificial-intelligence-in-smes\/","title":{"rendered":"Launch of \u20ac15 million to support digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence in SMEs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><em>Launch of \u20ac15 million to support digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence in SMEs<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em>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.<\/p>\n<p>This scheme is seeing a significant increase in investment, rising from an initial allocation of \u20ac5 million to \u20ac15 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.<\/p>\n<p>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 \u20ac128,400 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 \u20ac107,000 may be granted, bringing the total maximum support to \u20ac235,400.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_57412\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-57412\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/PR260782b.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-57412\" src=\"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/PR260782b-300x208.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"208\" srcset=\"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/PR260782b-300x208.jpeg 300w, http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/PR260782b-150x104.jpeg 150w, http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/PR260782b-218x150.jpeg 218w, http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/PR260782b-100x70.jpeg 100w, http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/PR260782b.jpeg 432w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-57412\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Minister for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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. \u201cIn the last Budget, we announced a total of \u20ac100 million in measures related to Artificial Intelligence and innovation, and today we are announcing the first \u20ac15 million of these, specifically targeted towards SMEs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>The Government is also working closely with Malta\u2019s Business Chambers, representative bodies, and Servizzi Ewropej f\u2019Malta (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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>For further information, applications are open through the official website <a href=\"http:\/\/fondi.eu\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=http:\/\/fondi.eu&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1778055809291000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2IJ3YgGOeFk99vPaNdDtHT\">fondi.eu<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_57411\" class=\"pvc_stats all  \" data-element-id=\"57411\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path d=\"M1163 3073 c-36 -7 -73 -59 -73 -102 0 -56 133 -378 171 -413 34 -32 83 -37 129 -13 70 36 67 87 -16 290 -86 209 -89 214 -129 231 -35 14 -42 15 -82 7z\"\/><path d=\"M3689 3066 c-15 -9 -33 -30 -42 -48 -48 -103 -147 -355 -147 -375 0 -98 131 -148 192 -74 13 15 57 108 97 206 80 196 84 226 37 273 -30 30 -99 39 -137 18z\"\/><path d=\"M583 2784 c-38 -19 -67 -74 -58 -113 9 -42 211 -354 242 -373 16 -10 45 -18 66 -18 51 0 107 52 107 100 0 39 -1 41 -124 234 -80 126 -108 162 -133 173 -41 17 -61 16 -100 -3z\"\/><path d=\"M4250 2784 c-14 -9 -74 -91 -133 -183 -95 -150 -107 -173 -107 -213 0 -55 33 -94 87 -104 67 -13 90 8 211 198 130 202 137 225 78 284 -27 27 -42 34 -72 34 -22 0 -50 -8 -64 -16z\"\/><path d=\"M2275 2693 c-553 -48 -1095 -270 -1585 -649 -135 -104 -459 -423 -483 -476 -23 -49 -22 -139 2 -186 73 -142 361 -457 571 -626 285 -228 642 -407 990 -497 242 -63 336 -73 660 -74 310 0 370 5 595 52 535 111 1045 392 1455 803 122 121 250 273 275 326 19 41 19 137 0 174 -41 79 -309 363 -465 492 -447 370 -946 591 -1479 653 -113 14 -422 18 -536 8z m395 -428 c171 -34 330 -124 456 -258 112 -119 167 -219 211 -378 27 -96 24 -300 -5 -401 -72 -255 -236 -447 -474 -557 -132 -62 -201 -76 -368 -76 -167 0 -236 14 -368 76 -213 98 -373 271 -451 485 -162 444 86 934 547 1084 153 49 292 57 452 25z m909 -232 c222 -123 408 -262 593 -441 76 -74 138 -139 138 -144 0 -16 -233 -242 -330 -319 -155 -123 -309 -223 -461 -299 l-81 -41 32 46 c18 26 49 83 70 128 143 306 141 649 -6 957 -25 52 -61 116 -79 142 l-34 47 45 -20 c26 -10 76 -36 113 -56z m-2057 25 c-40 -58 -105 -190 -130 -263 -110 -324 -59 -707 132 -981 25 -35 42 -64 37 -64 -19 0 -241 119 -326 174 -188 122 -406 314 -532 468 l-58 71 108 103 c185 178 428 349 672 473 66 33 121 60 123 61 2 0 -10 -19 -26 -42z\"\/><path d=\"M2375 1950 c-198 -44 -350 -190 -395 -379 -18 -76 -8 -221 19 -290 114 -284 457 -406 731 -260 98 52 188 154 231 260 27 69 37 214 19 290 -38 163 -166 304 -326 360 -67 23 -215 33 -279 19z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/i> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif\" border=0 \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Launch of \u20ac15 million to support digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence in SMEs \u00a0The 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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_57411\" class=\"pvc_stats all  \" data-element-id=\"57411\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 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Lynch","author_link":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/author\/bernardlynch\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Launch of \u20ac15 million to support digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence in SMEs \u00a0The 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&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57411","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57411"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57411\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":57414,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57411\/revisions\/57414"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57413"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57411"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57411"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57411"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}