Call for proposals for the EU’s ICT Policy Support Programme (ICT PSP) - Info session

The next call for proposals for the EU’s ICT Policy Support Programme (ICT PSP) has been launched in February 2012. In this light the Malta National Contact Point for the EU’s Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP Malta NCP), in collaboration with the Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA), is organising an information event for local stakeholders, in order to create awareness of the various funding opportunities that exist within the ICT-PSP programme:

Information session ICT PSP 2012 Call for Proposals

Venue: MITA 01, Triq Il-Ferrovija, Santa Venera

Date: 21st February 2012

Time: 8.30 – 11.30 hrs

Targeted at: policy makers, ICT enterprises, EU affairs managers, consultancy firms, interest representation organizations, NGOs, Local Councils

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Programme

08.30 hrs: Registration and welcome coffee

09.00 hrs: Introduction and video of a real-life scenario of cross-border services online

09.15 hrs: Overview ICT-PSP and the 2012 funding opportunities - Pedro Fernandez Alvarez, CIP Malta National Contact Point

10.00 hrs: Planning for a CIP ICT-funded project - practical approaches and future outlooks – Alex Borg, MITA

10.45 hrs: Piloting cross-border e-justice for the benefit of citizens and enterprises: eCodex – a CIP ICT case study

11.00 hrs: QA and open discussion

11.30 hrs: Closing

This session is free of charge, however due to seating restrictions we kindly ask interested parties to register here

Background information
The EU’s ICT Policy Support Programme (ICT PSP) is a funding programme that aims at stimulating EU innovation and competitiveness by accelerating the development of a sustainable, competitive, innovative and inclusive information society. It supports activities to step up innovation and implementation of ICT-based services and systems through the wider uptake and best use of ICT and the exploitation of digital content by citizens, governments and businesses.

In the EU the greater uptake in the EU of ICT and exploitation of digital content in areas of public interest – like health, inclusion, cultural heritage, public sector information, learning, public administrations, or energy efficiency – requires greater availability of ICT-based services, improved interoperability of solutions across the Member States, as well as less market fragmentation of the information space and ICT-based solutions.

Therefore the ICT PSP assists the development of markets for innovative ICT-based solutions and digital content, notably in areas of public interest. This opens-up a wide range of new business opportunities, in particular for innovative SMEs that provide such solutions and are keen to form part of a European network of partners. The Programme builds on and complements national, regional and other EU initiatives.

The aim of this roundtable is to provide a forum for debate and experience sharing and to outline various avenues that could be considered to pursue by stakeholders regarding ICT-PSP projects. It will also serve as a meeting platform to establish direct communication channels and set the base for possible further collaborations and joint projects between stakeholders.

The ICT-PSP 2012 Call for Proposals will address the following themes:

- ICT for "smart" cities
- Digital content, open data and creativity
- ICT for health, ageing well and inclusion
- Innovative government and public services
- Trusted eServices and other actions

These themes will be supported by a limited number of high impact pilot or best practices projects, as well as thematic networks addressing specific objectives. The call documentation can be downloaded from here

We hope to welcome you at this information session. Please feel free to forward this email to anyone that you think might be interested in attending this information session.

For more information kindly contact the Malta CIP National Contact Point on info@cipmalta.com or visit www.cipmalta.com 

Call for Project Proposals under the European Social Fund (ESF)

The Managing Authority for Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 in Malta, the Planning and Priorities Co-ordination Division (PPCD) within the Office of the Prime Minister would like to announce that it has launched a new call for project proposals to be part-financed by the European Union under the European Social Fund (ESF) 2007-2013.

Eligible applicants are invited to submit applications for projects falling under the following Priority Axis of Operational Programme II ‘Empowering People for More Jobs and a Better Quality of Life':

Priority Axis 2: – Investing in the Employability and Adaptability of the Workforce

Focus Area - Continuous training and education:

Priority will be given to projects addressing environment/green skills; RTDi-related skills as well as projects focusing on the employability and adaptabilty of older workers (40-55yrs).

The indicative financial threshold allocated is €4 million. (The Managing Authority will consider increasing the allocation on the basis of savings registered on the Programme)

Priority Axis 4 – Strengthening of Institutional and Administrative Capacity

Focus Areas:

1) Strengthening public sector reform:
Priority will be given to projects looking at capacity building from a more comprehensive point of view bridging different skills within the same sector.

2)  Lifelong learning for the Public Sector

3) Strengthening the quality of employment services:
Submitted projects addressing this Focus Area will be prioritized.

4) Promoting a more effective social and civil dialogue in Malta

The indicative financial threshold allocated is €7.5 million.

THE CALL CLOSES ON FRIDAY 2ND MARCH 2012 AT NOON

This call is open also to Local Councils and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) (or equivalent).  In ALL cases the organisation must have been set up for at least ONE year before the day of the launch of the call.

The Operational Programme, Application Form and Guidance Notes, as well as further information can be downloaded from here. 

For further guidance, prospective applicants are also invited to register for one of the half-day Information Sessions being organised that will be held in Malta on:

• Friday, 3rd February 2012 from 12:00 pm (noon) to 4:00 pm; and
• Monday 6th February 2012 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm (noon).

The Registration Form can be downloaded from here and forwarded to registrations.ppcd@gov.mt by not later than noon of Wednesday 1st February 2012. Places are limited and will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. The number of participants per organisation may be restricted, if necessary.

Another call for proposals under Axis 3 (as advertised in the pre-announcement) will be launched shortly.

For general queries relating to this call or to Cohesion Policy 2007-2013, kindly contact PPCD on the Email Helpdesk: info.ppcd@gov.mt

Further information can also be found on Facebook.

Consultation Session: Environmental Permitting of Industrial Activities

Thursday, 26 January 2012, 10:00 - 12:00 - MEUSAC Offices, Valletta

Further to the first notice regarding the consultation session on MEPA’s proposal for an Environmental Permitting System for Industrial Activities, we would like to inform you that in view of the number of responses received and the fact that the first session is already fully booked, MEUSAC and MEPA will be holding a second session which will be held as follows:

Date: Thursday, January 26, 2012
Time: 10am – 12pm
Venue: MEUSAC Offices, 280, Republic Street, Valletta

The proposed environmental permitting system will cover in particular:

• Waste management installations e.g. inert waste landfills, material recovery facilities and civic amenity sites;
• Sewage treatment plants;
• Reverse osmosis plants;
• Manufacturing plants;
• Chemical and pharmaceutical plants;
• Quarries;
• Batching and asphalt plants;
• Petrol stations;
• Volatile organic compound (VOC) solvent activities e.g. printing, surface coating and drycleaners;
• Shipyards, Marinas, sea ports, fish farms and airports; and
• Hospitals and hotels.

Further information is available at www.meusac.gov.mt.

Participants will also be given an update on the recent developments regarding the transposition of the new Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU). This Directive was already discussed during an information session organised by MEUSAC together with MEPA on March 21, 2011 for which relevant stakeholders were invited.

Points raised during the session will be taken into consideration in the drafting and finalisation of the legislation. Those interested in attending and have not yet booked for the first session are kindly requested to register with MEUSAC by sending an email on consult.meusac@gov.mt by not later than noon of Wednesday, January 25, 2012.

2012 Call for Proposals Deadlines Published by Maltese EU Programmes Agency

The European Union Programmes Agency (EUPA) has published the 2012 National call for proposals for the Lifelong Learning Programme. These are available on the agency website at www.llp.eupa.org.mt.

The first deadlines shall be on 16 January for Comenius and Grundtvig In-Service Training Courses, and Grundtvig Visits and Exchanges. These will be followed by Comenius Assistantships on 31 January, Leonardo da Vinci Transfer of Innovation on 2 February, and Leonardo da Vinci Mobility and Erasmus Intensive Language Courses on 3 February. Details for each action, including application forms, guides, National eligibility and award criteria and other details are available on the website.

For further information, one can email llp.eupa@gov.mt.

These initiatives are funded with support from the European Commission (Directorate General Education and Culture).

Information on the European Union Programmes Agency can be found at the agency website www.eupa.org.mt.

FULL DETAILS [3 MB]

CCP-Media Desk end-of-year Informal Meeting

(for sector operators)  

When: Monday 19 December, 2011

Where: Auberge d'Italie Cultural Contact Point / Media Desk 

"The desks' workplans for 2012 will be presented; matters of strategic relevance to the Desks' mission will be discussed."

Workshops for NGOs: Getting the hang of EU funds

When: 5-21 December, 2011 

Where: MEUSAC Offices, 280, Republic Street, Valletta

Training sessions tailored for NGOs to better understand EU funds. Workshops will tackle various EU funded programmes in the field of education, training and networking, youth, citizenship, infrastructure, energy, environment, policy governance, culture and the arts.

For more information please contact MEUSAC: (00356) 22003300

The Malta Gay Rights Movement invites you to the launch of THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK: MAKING LIFE BETTER FOR LGBT YOUTH Campaign. This will take place on Wednesday 7th December 2011 at 11am at Europe House in St Paul Street, Valletta. This campaign is funded through the VOICES Foundation and features a series of virals, with accompanying posters, postcards and lesson plans for teachers and youthworkers aimed at addressing homophobic and transphobic language and bullying, self-harm among the LGBT community as well as reaching out to parents.

27 May 2011

Students at St. Joseph Secondary School in Sliema enthusiastically learn about the European Union following a presentation by Mrs Julia Abid, Communication Assistant.  Copies of 'Europe in 12 lessons', 'Languages take you further', 'EU on your doorstep' and 'My fundamental rights' were gratefully received.

The 60 students learned about the role of the Malta Representation Office, given an overview of the EU and an insight into the European Charter of Fundamental Rights.  The presentation concluded with Julia Abid explaining some of the many examples of the benefits of being an EU citizen.

9th May - Europe Day Activities in Gozo

The European Commission Representation and the European Parliament Office in Malta marked 9th May with a series of activities in in Gozo. Celebrated each year across the European Union, Europe Day marks the EU's birthday and focusses on the aspects of peace and unity brought about by 61 years of European integration.

Celebrations kicked off in Gozo on Saturday 30th April, with activities in St Francis Square, Victoria. Citizens partook in the festivities and a mixture of Gozitan talent came to the fore with the participation of the Schools of Drama, Music and Art, the Boy Scouts and the Aurora and Astra folk groups.

The Hon. Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Affairs John Dalli, Mr William Martin, Head of the European Commission Representation and Dr Julian Vassallo, Head of the European Parliament Office were present for the activities. 

At the Gozo Stadium in Xewkija on Saturday 30th April, the 5th edition of the European Parliament Football Festival took place during the course of the morning. A public event for families organised in collaboration with the Gozo Football Association, the festival included the participation of Under-12 football nurseries in Gozo and a selection of nurseries from Malta.nurseries in Gozo and a selection of nurseries from Malta.

Photos courtesy of Ray Attard

European Week of Sustainable Energy

On 14th April 2011, pupils of St. Ignatius College in Handaq, Qormi proudly displayed their half yearly physics projects as part of the European Week of Sustainable Energy.  Mr. William Martin, Head of Representation was invited by the Head of School to present prizes and deliver a speech to teachers and students.

The physics project required students to make a model which shows how renewable energy sources can be used.  Mr. Martin was given a tour of the various models by Head of School Mr. Carmel Micallef and Mr. Michael Spagnol, Teacher of Physics, which included a solar water heater, wind turbine, solar cooker, solar chimney, biomass generator, solar boat, hydroelectric generator to name a few.  Mr. Micallef and Mr. Martin went on to congratulate all students for their superb efforts and present prizes to the winners of the best 3 models.  In his address to the students, Mr. Martin congratulated all on the high level of work achieved, the valuable experiences learned through achieving the end result and the valuable quality time spent on the project with the help of family members.  Mr. Martin urged the students not to stop now but to take with them the experience gained from the project by speaking to parents in an effort to improve energy efficiency within their homes.  Valuable lessons learned during the course of the project may continue to be developed.

Light refreshments were served giving an opportunity for the students to  discuss their models and describe how they were constructed to their guest, Mr. Martin.

University students attend EU presentation at Europe House

On Monday 28th February a group of MA students together with the Director of the Euro-Mediterranean Centre for Educational Research, Professor Ronald G. Sultana, visited the Representation and were given a three hour presentation about the EU.

The presentation was given by Dr Angelo Chetcuti, Press Officer at the Representation who explained the historical development of the EU, described the role and functions of its main institutions, and explained the key treaties.

Mr Brian Buhagiar, DGT official at the Representation gave a presentation about the contribution of the European Commission to The Bologna Process. The students and Prof. Sultana added to the value of the presentation through their interventions and questions.

A selection of EU related publications were distributed to the participants.