European Social Fund 2014-2020 €42 million to be invested in work, health and social inclusion

The Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds and Social Dialogue, Dr Aaron Farrugia announced 13 new projects that are valued at €40m. These projects will be funded by the European Social fund.

The said projects will take a number of themes and will be implemented by various Maltese ministries and authorities. These themes include the betterment of: • Healthcare; • Quality of work; • Education; • Rehabilitation; • Social inclusion Dr Farrugia stated that the European Social Fund for Malta’s target is to contribute to the aim of getting 6,560 people out of the risk of poverty and social exclusion by 2020, as well as achieving the EU2020 work and education targets.

The Parliamentary Secretary noted that this investment is not only socially just, it is also economically necessary. It is only thanks to investment in our citizens that we can continue to experience the economic success that we are experiencing right now. As a nation, we have to look forward in order to make sure that our country attracts investment and new industries, particularly in science and technology.

The Parliamentary Secretary said that in today’s economic reality, we can only be successful if no one is left behind.

Dr Farrugia concluded by saying that the person’s background should not be the criteria that defines that person’s potential; it should be, their skills and their drive that determines their achievements. It is our job to make sure that opportunities are open to everyone.