Marketing Strategy for Micro & Small Enterprises

What the scheme funds

The scheme part-finances the cost of engaging an external consultant to produce a Marketing Strategy for your business. The strategy must be a substantive, actionable document — not a general marketing brochure or social media plan.

A qualifying Marketing Strategy typically includes market analysis, customer segmentation, competitive positioning, channel strategy, and an implementation roadmap. The consultant must be independent of — and unrelated to — the applicant business, as confirmed by a signed Declaration of Unrelation.

Who qualifies

The scheme is open to micro and small enterprises established in Malta. Medium-sized enterprises are not eligible for this scheme — they may qualify for the Internationalisation Strategy scheme instead.

• Micro enterprise: fewer than 10 employees and annual turnover / balance sheet total not exceeding €2M
• Small enterprise: fewer than 50 employees and annual turnover / balance sheet total not exceeding €10M

The applicant business must be established and operating in Malta. The external consultant engaged must be independent (confirmed via Declaration of Unrelation).

Grant details

• Maximum grant: €10,000
• The grant covers a portion of the eligible cost of the commissioned strategy
• Aid is provided under the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER)
• Grant is non-repayable; paid in arrears on submission of evidence
• Maximum one application per undertaking under this scheme

How to apply

Applications are submitted via the Structural Funds Database (sfd.gov.mt). The process involves:

• Confirm eligibility as a micro or small enterprise
• Identify and engage an independent external marketing consultant
• Commission the Marketing Strategy and receive the completed deliverable
• Submit the application via sfd.gov.mt before the next cut-off, including the strategy document, consultant invoice, and Declaration of Unrelation
• MSD reviews and issues a grant decision; payment follows on approval

Cut-off dates run approximately every two weeks through December 2026. Upcoming dates: 29 May, 12 June, 30 June, 17 July, 31 July, 17 August, 18 September, 30 September, 16 October, 30 October, 13 November, 30 November, 14 December 2026.

Is this scheme right for you?

This scheme is well-suited for micro and small businesses that need a professional marketing strategy — and want to recover most of that cost through a grant. It's particularly useful for businesses preparing to reposition, launch a new product or service, or enter new market segments.

It is not suitable for medium-sized enterprises, businesses that want to fund marketing execution (not just the strategy document), or those seeking to use a related or in-house consultant.