The objective behind the MELIITA 3 proposal is to support the smart growth of Maltese SMEs by increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of investments in research, development and innovation and to contribute to a better and more efficient connection of stakeholders and players along the innovation chain. By combining the actions under this Horizon2020 programme with the support being offered under COSME, the Network will be best positioned to offer both business and innovation support along the entire value chain. Services are thus being provided to clients in the wider context of, and in line with, the Europe 2020 strategy. There are two specific objectives which the Malta consortium will aim to achieve by end 2019, namely: ● To ensure that key SME beneficiaries of the Horizon2020 programme are supported efficiently and effectively so that their full potential can be exploited; and ● To ensure that the innovation management capacity of Maltese micro and SME clients is enhanced. In order to achieve the first objective, the consortium will commit to assisting beneficiaries of funding schemes like SME Instrument, Fast Track to Innovation, and Future and Emerging Technologies Open through Key Account Management [KAM] services. Specialised Network personnel will be deployed to facilitate coaching services to such clients following the assessment of coaching needs and identification of suitable coaches. The second main objective will be attained through the deployment of Network services to assess the innovation management capacity of pre-identified clients. The activity under this work package is planned to help SMEs become aware of, and address, the main deficiencies in their innovation management systems since this is perceived as a potential barrier to the creation of economic impact from innovation activities.

This proposal addresses the growth-oriented business support services that will result in improved competitiveness and access to markets for EU enterprise. These services are as stipulated by the H2020 Adhoc Consultation call issued by the European Commission and will be implemented throughout 2020-2021 by the Network in Malta, in full synergy and complementarity with the other work packages supported by the relevant and concurrent COSME call for the Enterprise Europe Network. The MELIITA 4 proposal is to support the smart growth of the Maltese SMEs by increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of investments in research development and innovation, develop innovative projects with strong European or international potential, and to contribute to a better and more efficient connection of stakeholders and players along the innovation chain. By combining the actions under this H2020 programme with the support being offered under COSME, the Network will be best positioned to offer both business and innovation support along the entire value chain. The MELIITA 4 proposal namely aims to: • Enhance innovation management capacity and identify weaknesses, thus rendering more efficient the full innovation process of Micro and SMEs, irrelevant of benefitting from the EIC Pilot, and to help potentially good ideas effectively reach the market. • Strengthen innovation capacity and to ensure Maltese beneficiaries of the EIC Pilot receive the most appropriate support services based on identified weaknesses in their innovation capacities and so encourage the successful exploitation of their innovation project and to induce sustainable growth beyond the programme period, and • Create a more innovative, competitive business community on a national basis.