The first scheme subsidising the use of photovoltaic panels under the EU's 2014-2020 financial framework is set to be launched in the coming weeks, Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds Ian Borg said this morning.

Speaking at the opening of a 4-day course on EU funds organised by europeanfunds.info, Dr Borg noted that in total, €34 million in funds allocated to Malta through the 2014-2020 financial framework are being allocated to renewable energy.

As has been the case with the funds allocated to renewable energy through the 2007-2013 financial framework, Dr Borg explained, these €34 million will be distributed in a number of schemes throughout the funding period. But following discussions with the Malta Resources Authority, the first scheme is set to be launched shortly.

Dr Borg said that the parliamentary secretariat had two main priorities at present, with the first being the conclusion of projects funded through the 2007-2013 framework, including the Coast Road, the MCAST campus, and a number of conservation projects.

But the second priority, he said, was the launching of new projects under the present financial framework.

The parliamentary secretary maintained that there was a need to raise standards and improve governance, and welcomed training initiatives which would help people from the public and private sector alike make better use of EU funds.

He said that while there were many good people on the government's side administering or implementing EU-funded schemes and projects, and while the private sector's response to EU funds has been encouraging, securing EU funds and using them in line with EU regulations has proven to be a difficult process.