To benefit from the support of the Recovery and Resilience Facility set up by the EU in the aftermath of the COVID-19-induced economic crisis, Member States submit their recovery and resilience plans to the European Commission. Each plan sets out the reforms and investments to be implemented by end-2026 and Member States can receive financing up to a previously agreed allocation. Each plan should effectively address challenges identified in the European Semester, particularly the country-specific recommendations of 2019 and 2020 adopted by the Council. It should also advance the green and digital transitions and make Member States’ economies and societies more resilient. The Commission validates the plan after which it effectively enters in force and EU subsidies can start flowing towards the member state.
Malta is expected to receive circa €316 million in grants under the Facility. 54% of the plan’s total allocation are assessed to be directed toward reforms and investments support climate objectives. Notable investments:
- Energy-efficiency renovations and greening of private and public buildings: including hospitals and schools – financing deep retrofitting and renewable energy installations. €60 million
- Access to free public transport: granting access to free public transport to selected cohorts of the population to address congestion and make transport more sustainable.
- A new ferry-landing place at St Paul’s Bay/Buġibba: shifting transport from road to sea and reducing emissions from the transport sector. €16 million