Businesses, start-ups, universities and researchers urged to explore EIT communities as a route to new partnerships, expertise and European opportunities.
Maltese businesses, start-ups, universities, researchers and other organisations with ambitions to grow internationally are being encouraged to tap into the extensive innovation networks of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union established to strengthen Europe’s innovation capacity.
The EIT Community Hub Malta is highlighting the opportunities available through the EIT’s Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), which bring together companies, SMEs and start-ups, universities, research organisations, investors, public bodies and civil society organisations from across Europe.
For Maltese organisations, becoming involved in these communities can provide access to potential commercial and research partners, specialist expertise, consortium building and matchmaking opportunities, innovation programmes, training and greater visibility within European innovation ecosystems.
“For Maltese organisations serious about growing internationally, we need to think beyond individual funding calls. A European strategy is also a relationship strategy. The EIT communities bring together the right companies, universities, researchers and innovators that Maltese organisations may want to work with when addressing a societal challenge. Rather than approaching every European opportunity from scratch, becoming part of these networks can help Maltese organisations build relationships and establish a stronger presence within the ecosystems where new collaborations and projects are being developed.” — Diana Miceli, EIT Community Officer, Malta
Sectors Covered by the EIT Communities
The EIT’s communities span a broad range of sectors that are directly relevant to Malta’s economy and research community. These include climate innovation and resilience; digital technologies, deep tech, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity; food and agriculture; healthcare and life sciences; sustainable energy; raw materials and the circular economy; water resilience and the blue economy; cultural and creative industries and sustainable transport and urban mobility.
While access to funding is an important part of the European innovation landscape, participation in these networks can offer benefits well before a funding application is submitted. European research and innovation projects frequently depend on strong international consortia, while commercial expansion and technology development can require relationships with businesses, researchers, customers and specialist partners outside Malta.
Different EIT communities offer different membership, partnership and engagement models, with the appropriate route depending on the organisation’s sector, size, objectives and level of involvement. Membership or partnership fees may apply in some cases and participation does not guarantee access to funding or selection for projects. Instead, its value lies in giving organisations the opportunity to become active participants in networks where partnerships, projects and commercial opportunities are continually being developed.
How Can Maltese Organisations Get Involved?
Miceli said organisations should therefore consider their longer-term European ambitions when deciding whether participation in an EIT community could be beneficial.
“The starting point should be where an organisation wants to be in Europe in three to five years, which organisations it needs to know and which networks can help it build those relationships. Malta’s size should not prevent our businesses, researchers and innovators from being part of Europe’s largest innovation ecosystems.” — Diana Miceli, EIT Community Officer, Malta
The EIT Community Hub Malta can help local organisations identify the communities most relevant to their activities and ambitions and explore the membership, partnership and other engagement opportunities available.
Organisations interested in finding out which EIT community could be the right fit for them can contact Diana Miceli, EIT Community Officer Malta, at malta@eitcommunity.eu for an initial discussion about the opportunities available and the most appropriate route into the EIT Community.
