Business Reports for SMEs

What the scheme funds

The scheme provides a fixed €4,000 grant (representing 80% of the maximum eligible cost of €5,000) to fund one of two types of business report commissioned from an external consultant registered with the Intermediate Body:

• Process & Systems Review — an independent analysis of the business's internal processes and systems, identifying inefficiencies and recommending improvements to productivity and operations.
• Business Plan — a structured plan addressing proposed investment initiatives, used to support a strategic or financing decision.

The report must be produced by an external consultant that is independent of — and unrelated to — the applicant business. A list of registered advisory service providers is maintained by the Intermediate Body.

Who qualifies

The scheme is open to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) established in Malta, as defined under EU SME criteria:

• Fewer than 250 employees
• Annual turnover not exceeding €50M or balance sheet total not exceeding €43M
• Not more than 25% owned by a non-SME entity

Grant details

• Grant value: €4,000 (lump sum) — this is a fixed amount regardless of actual cost, provided costs are at least €5,000
• Aid intensity: 80% of eligible costs (maximum eligible cost €5,000)
• The grant is non-repayable
• Aid is provided under the De Minimis Regulation (max €300,000 over three fiscal years)

How to apply

Applications are submitted via the Structural Funds Database (sfd.gov.mt) before a published cut-off date. The scheme operates on a rolling basis with biweekly cut-offs — there is no single annual deadline. Key steps:

• Confirm your SME status and identify an eligible registered consultant
• Commission and receive the completed business report
• Submit your application via sfd.gov.mt before the next cut-off date, attaching the report and supporting documentation
• The Managing Authority (MSD) reviews the application and issues a grant decision

Cut-off dates run approximately every two weeks. As of May 2026, upcoming dates include 29 May, 12 June, 30 June, and continuing through December 2026.

Is this scheme right for you?

Business Reports for SMEs is well-suited for businesses that need an independent, structured review of their operations or a professionally prepared business plan — and want to offset 80% of that cost. The fixed €4,000 grant is modest but the scheme is fast, straightforward, and has frequent cut-offs.

It is not suitable for businesses that want to fund implementation — the grant covers only the cost of the report itself, not any subsequent investment or changes it recommends.