At its core, the project sought to bridge the skills gap between business education and SME needs by integrating practical, project-oriented training into formal qualifications. The consortium embarked on designing, developing, and submitting for accreditation a Level 7 Postgraduate Award (micro-credential),focusing on EU policy, funding strategies, and project-based learning.Complementing the academic innovation, a digital tool (Funding Connect App) was launched to extend the learning experience beyond the classroom. The app is a centralised, user-friendly platform to help students and SME professionals identify relevant EU funding opportunities and develop collaborative project ideas. Ultimately, the project aimed to enhance employability and entrepreneurial readiness by embedding real-world competences into vocational education. . By promoting a modular, inclusive learning format that aligns with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), and the European approach to micro-credentials, this initiative can set a replicable standard for VET modernisation across the EU.
We applied for this project to address a common challenge across EU Member States which is the significant gap between vocational education and the practical demands of the labour market, particularly in the area of SME engagement with EU funding mechanisms. Despite the increasing availability of EU funding instruments aimed at SMEs, many remain under-equipped to access and manage such opportunities effectively. Business students, especially those in part-time or mid-career MBA programmes, are ideally positioned to fill this gap. The project was designed to empower these learners with the competences, knowledge, and confidence to support SME innovation, growth, and access to funding, both locally in Malta and more broadly across Europe.