Unlock aimed to address a clear labour market need by helping SMEs access funding opportunities. This was underscored by Von der Leyen in her 2022 State of the Union Address, where she emphasised the importance of supporting SMEs, particularly in gaining access to finance and skills. This project met this need by establishing two EU Helpdesk within partnering organisations in Malta and in Portugal. The project set the below specific objectives: 1. Set up and promote the EU Helpdesk in Malta (MEA) and Portugal (Check-in) 2. Identify members' knowledge gaps and needs through partner-specific surveys 3. Collaboratively develop an EU Helpdesk Manual of Procedures through a 4-day TPM in Portugal 4. Sign a bilateral agreement between CCIF and MEA to provide migrant entrepreneurs access to MEA’s EU Helpdesk 5. Organise 3 information sessions, 3 training sessions, and 2 launch events 6. Promote the project and MOP as a model for other social partners and NGOs to adopt Most importantly, having finalised the project, the Helpdesks will continue as a permanent service within the partnering organisations, continuing to offer this valuable support to their members.
Motivation This project arose from Malta Employers’ ongoing desire to support its members further, seeking new ways that the association can better help its business members to grow, be competitive and innovate. Through its continuous social dialogue efforts with its members, the Malta Employers identified a common need for its members that spanned across sectors and different sized enterprises, that is the need for support in accessing and managing both local and EU funding opportunities. Discussions with partner CCIF and Check in revealed similar needs among their membership. Thus, a common solution was proposed: the establishment of an EU Helpdesk to assist target groups to gain access to local and EU funding opportunities. Needs This project primarily sought to address the needs of the members, that is that SMEs rely on national and EU grants for innovation, competitiveness, and sustainability. However, SMEs often struggle with accessing funding opportunities due to various reasons. Secondly, the project sought to address the needs of the partnering organisations to find new innovative ways to support their members.