Investing in Your Future website launch press pack

COHESION POLICY 2007 - 2013 Projects Website Launch Press Pack 18 DECEMBER 2012

DEAR COLLEAGUE As the Director General, Planning and Priorities Coordination Division (PPCD), I have the pleasure of welcoming you for the launch of our new projects website titled www.investinginyourfuture.gov. mt.

The website will be oďŹƒcially launched to the public over the coming days.

Inside this press pack, you will fi n d a l l t h e n e c e s s a r y information for your report: press release description of website background information on PPCD

A d d i t i o n a l l y, w e a r e a l s o providing you with a USB card w i t h p h o t o s f ro m v a r i o u s projects, as well as screen-shots of the new website and an electronic copy of this press pack.

Whilst thanking you for your participation, myself and my team remain at your disposal for any queries you may have.

Jonathan Vassallo

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PRESS RELEASE The Planning and Priorities Coordination Division (PPCD), within the Office of the Prime Minister, has launched a new website highlighting the benefits of Cohesion Policy 2007-2013. www.investinginyourfuture.gov.mt gives the users an interactive way of learning more about the projects being implemented under Cohesion Policy 2007-2013, co-financed under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Cohesion Fund and the European Social Fund (ESF).

By logging onto www.investinginyourfuture.gov.mt, users can view projects grouped under eleven (11) themes addressed by the two (2) Operational Programmes which Malta is implementing. The themes are:

· · · · · · · · · · ·

Heritage and tourism; Equal Opportunities; Health; Research, Science and Technology; Education; Life Long Learning & Employment; Environment, Climate Change & Renewable Energy Sources; Waste Management & Risk Prevention; Public Infrastructure; Public Administration; and Private Sector

A concise, and reader-friendly description of each theme allows the reader to get a better grasp of the overarching objectives for the chosen theme while the projects in that category are listed, through key photos on the same page. Users can then get more in-depth information by clicking on the project images and accessing project-specific information such as project title, entity implementing the project, project cost as well as the activities being carried out through that project. Users can also avail themselves of the social media sharing facilities on the website, as well as contact PPCD directly.

The website is ideal for all those interested in the projects being carried out through ERDF, Cohesion Fund and ESF, and especially for students reading for a degree in European Studies as part of their education.

The website was launched on 18th December 2012 at Dar l-Ewropa, Valletta, in the presence of the Hon. Chris Said, Minister for Justice, Dialogue and the Family and Ing. Anthony Camilleri, Permanent Secretary (EU Funds).

In a brief address, Minister Said noted the importance that Government, in this legislature, has given to the dissemination of information, particularly through the setting up of a Parliamentary Secretariat responsible for Dialogue, which then became a Ministry.

He particularly referred to the Malta-EU Steering Action

Committee (MEUSAC) which has become an important organ of communication between Government and www.investinginyourfuture.gov.mt

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the general public, providing sterling information about EU-funding possibilities. Since 2009, 143 organisations –made up from non-governmental organisations and local councils– benefited from MEUSAC’s assistance and have implemented, or are currently in the process of implementing, €18.4 million worth of EU-funded projects. Minister Said emphasised the importance of communication for the general public to be more aware and appreciate more, and mentioned MEUSAC’s initiative “L-Ewropa fuq ir-Roti” which involves organised tours by bus to EU-co-funded projects in Malta and Gozo, and which has been positively received. Minister Said said that the launch of this website is another important step from Government’s end to provide further information about European Union funds and projects while creating another communication-tool for the public.

PPCD is the Managing Authority for Operational Programme I Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of Life, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and Cohesion Fund and Operational Programme II Empowering People for More Jobs and a Better Quality of Life, co-financed by the European Social Fund. PPCD aims to ensure the efficient absorption and management of European assistance through effective coordination across Government Departments, Authorities, Agencies and other stakeholders. It also ensures maximum transparency and information in relation to the funds which fall under its responsibility.

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WEBSITE OVERVIEW The Planning and Priorities Coordination Division (PPCD), as the Managing Authority on Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 is required to publish electronically or otherwise, the list of beneficiaries and projects which are approved for co-financing under the EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND

EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND

COHESION FUND

To date, PPCD has published this list, inclusive of all the details, on its official website www.ppcd.gov.mt.

However,, in order to provide the

EC REG. 1828/2006 ART. 7 (2) (D) “The managing authority shall be responsible for [...] the publication, electronically or otherwise, of the list of beneficiaries, the names of the operations and the amount of public funding allocated to the operations.”

general public with further insight and appreciation of the work actually being undertaken in making the most of the funds Malta received under Cohesion Policy 2007-2013, a new projects based website has been created and is being launched today, 18 December 2012.

WWW.INVESTINGINYOURFUTURE.GOV.MT

A VIRTUAL JOURNEY

AN INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE

The idea behind the website is to create a more interactive experience in learning about projects co-financed under ERDF, ESF and Cohesion Fund Browsers can experience this through images and/or audio visuals, social media, and clear, concise information on projects and their cost.

The new projects based website takes the browser through a visual and textual overview of the various projects which are currently ongoing, as well as completed under the 2007-2013 programming period, grouped under a number of themes, representative of National and European priorities.

Through the integration of a number of social media tools, the browser can share themes and projects of interest on a number of sites such as Facebook, Google+ and Twitter. Moreover, Malta’s Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 projects are given international exposure through the global outreach of these social media sites.

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SITE MAP Upon logging onto the site, browsers can see the full list of projects co-financed under ERDF, ESF and Cohesion Fund through a series of photos which they can scroll through. Each project photo also bears icons, representative of the theme or themes addressed by the project.

Additionally, the home page also includes a dynamic slide transition

featuring key projects which will change from time to time.

Browsers can also access information on the various projects through the ‘Projects’ page where they will find a menu display of the 11 themes presented in the website. Browsers can click on a specific theme of interest and find a short overview of that particular theme. The projects addressing the chosen theme are listed as snapshots under the theme overview. Once again, browsers choose to scroll through the projects’ list to get a holistic idea or click on the project which interests them. The latter option takes the browser to a page which contains more information on the selected project, together with more images and audio-visuals (where available). The grouping of projects under themes rather than under the specific Priority Axes addressed by Operational Programmes I and II aims to provide the browser with a more holistic understanding of the actions being carried out under Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 as a whole, rather than under a specific Operational Programme or Fund. Nevertheless, information on the Fund through which each project is being co-financed is available on the respective project page.

Information on PPCD and a ‘Contact Us’ form, allowing users to request more information, are also available.

heritage & tourism

about us

equal opportunities health

home

research, science & technology projects education life long learning & employment

contact us

environment, climate change & renewable energy sources waste management & risk prevention public infrastructure public administration private sector

project page

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PLANNING & PRIORITIES COORDINATION DIVISION The Planning and Priorities Coordination Division (PPCD), was set up in March 2001 as part of the administrative structure required to manage pre- and post-accession funds allocated to Malta by the European Union.

Up until July 2011, PPCD also used to handle a number of bilateral programmes which have now, together with other EU Funds, become the remit of the Funds and Programmes Division.

MAIN FUNCTIONS Today, PPCD’s main functions are: Managing Authority for Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund 2004 - 2006 Overall coordination for the Programming of Cohesion Policy 2007 - 2013 Managing Authority for both Operational Programmes 2007 - 2013: Operational Programme I - European Regional Development Fund & Cohesion Fund Operational Programme II - European Social Fund PPCD aims to ensure the efficient absorption and management of European assistance, particularly in relation to Cohesion Policy, through effective coordination across Government Departments, Authorities, Agencies and other stakeholders.

Apart from providing the above-mentioned services, PPCD also ensures maximum transparency and information in relation to the funds which fall under its responsibility. This function is carried out through the organisation of training sessions, information activities and communication with the media, potential applications for funding and the general public.

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OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME I Operational Programme I (OPI), titled ‘Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of Life’, was originally approved by the Commission on 26 June 2007.

Since then, the document has been updated and the changes have been

approved by the European Commission in May 2012.

The Programme is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund.

FUND

EU

MT

TOTAL

ERDF

€

443,978,031

€

78,349,064

€

522,327,095

COHESION FUND

€

284,145,020

€

50,143,239

€

334,288,259

TOTAL OP

€

728,123,051

€

128,492,303

€

856,615,354

OPI has a total budget of € 856,615,356. Through ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, OPI aims to develop and generate economic growth based on encouraging competitive economic activities and strengthen Malta’s physical infrastructure, leading to a better quality of life for Maltese citizens.

The EU co-financing rate for OPI is 15%.

OPI is based on the priorities highlighted by the National Strategic Reference Framework document. It addresses 7 key priority areas (Priority Axes) agreed upon between Malta and the European Commission:

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OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME I Priority Axis 1: Enhancing Knowledge and Innovation Priority Axis 2: Promoting Sustainable Tourism Priority Axis 3: Developing the Trans-European Network for Transport Priority Axis 4: Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change Priority Axis 5: Safeguarding the Environment Priority Axis 6: Urban Regeneration and Improving the Quality of Life Priority Axis 7: Technical Assistance

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OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME II Operational Programme II (OPII), titled ‘Empowering People for More Jobs and a Better Quality of Life’, was originally approved by the Commission on 22 June 2007. This was subsequently updated and approved in July 2012.

The programme is co-financed by the European Social Fund.

FUND

EU

ESF

€

MT 108,454,705

€

TOTAL 23,850,000

€

132,304,705

OPII has a total budget of €132,304,705. Through ESF, OPII aims to strengthen social and economic development by improving employment and job opportunities, encouraging a high level of employment and more, and better, jobs. It supports initiatives which aim to increase employment, quality and productivity at work, promote social inclusion and encourage disadvantaged people to join the workforce.

The co-financing rate for OPII is 85% ESF and 15% National Funds.

OPII is based on the priorities highlighted by the National Strategic Reference Framework. It addresses 5 key priority areas (Priority Axes) as agreed upon between Malta and the European Commission.

Each of these Priority Axes aims to strengthen the economic and social cohesion by improving employment and job opportunities, encouraging a high level of employment and generating more and better jobs.

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OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME II Priority Axis 1: Improving Education and Skills Priority Axis 2: Investing in the Employability and Adaptability of the Workforce Priority Axis 3: Promoting an Equal and Inclusive Labour Market Priority Axis 4: Strengthening of Institutional and Administrative Capacity Priority Axis 5: Technical Assistance

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FOR MORE INFO: Planning and Priorities Coordination Division OďŹƒce of the Prime Minister Triq il-Kukkanja, Santa Venera SVR 1499 www.ppcd.gov.mt / www.investinginyourfuture.gov.mt answers.ppcd@gov.mt tel: + 356 2200 1142/3 fax: + 356 2200 1141

Operational Programmes I & II - Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of Life Empowering People for More Jobs and a Better Quality of Life Activity part-financed by the European Union European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Cohesion Fund and European Social Fund (ESF) Co-financing rate: 85% (70% ERDF, 30% ESF), 15% National Funds Investing in your future