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
• Aid intensity: 50% of eligible cost, rising to 60% where the enterprise has been registered for five years or less. The business funds the balance
• 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 and identify an independent external consultant on the Intermediate Body's register
• Submit the application via sfd.gov.mt before the next cut-off, with the supporting documentation the scheme requires
• MSD reviews and issues a grant decision
• Sign the Grant Agreement. Costs incurred before this point are not eligible
• Commission the Marketing Strategy and receive the completed deliverable within the six-month implementation period
• Submit the reimbursement claim with the strategy document, consultant invoice, and Declaration of Unrelation

Cut-off dates run approximately every two weeks. Current cut-offs are published on fondi.eu.

Is this scheme right for you?

This scheme is well-suited for micro and small businesses that need a professional marketing strategy, and want the grant to cover half or more of that cost. 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.