Koperattivi Malta presents Strategic Recommendations to the Maltese Government ahead of the 2025 Budget

Qormi, 10 September 2024

Koperattivi Malta, the APEX organization representing local co-operatives, has released its Strategic document titled Recommendations for Malta Budget 2025: Investing in Co-operative Prosperity for a Prodound Transformation in Our Business Landscape & Economic Model”, urging the government to harness the transformative potential of co-operatives to drive sustainable growth and economic resilience. As Malta’s economy continues to outperform its EU counterparts, Koperattivi Malta is calling for comprehensive measures that position co-operatives at the heart of Malta’s economic development.

Key Recommendations for the 2025 Budget include:

1. Invest in the Co-operative Board to enhance user Friendliness, Digitalisation, and Modernisation: Koperattivi Malta recommends elevating the Co-operative Board to the operational level of major authorities, by investing in digital solutions, increasing budget allocations, and establishing a centralised information register. These measures will streamline co-operative operations, enhance user experience, and boost co-operative formation and success rates.

2. Encouraging the uptake of Public Sector Co-operatives to Reduce Government Payroll Burden: Building on over two decades of successful implementation, Koperattivi Malta proposes expanding the co-operative model within the public sector. By transitioning more public sector roles into co-operative structures, the government can reduce its payroll burden, improve public service efficiency, and promote economic sustainability.

3. Sustainable Communities through Citizen-owned Co-operatives: Koperattivi Malta encourages the government to promote citizen-owned co-operatives as a vehicle for local sustainable development. This initiative aims to empower citizens to actively participate in economic activities, enhance social cohesion, and retain wealth within communities.

4. Removing Barriers for Co-operatives: The organization calls for the removal of institutional barriers that hinder co-operative growth. Key measures include issuing directives to eliminate operational hindrances, implementing monitoring mechanisms, and providing government-backed funding programs to improve access to capital for co-operative expansion and innovation.

5. Incorporating Co-operative Values into the Curriculum: To cultivate a culture of cooperation and shared prosperity, Koperattivi Malta advocates for integrating co-operative principles into the educational curriculum. This initiative aims to instill values of cooperation, collaboration, and community spirit in future generations, enhancing active citizenship and aligning with Malta’s long-term development goals.

Koperattivi Malta is committed to supporting the Maltese government in implementing these recommendations, offering its expertise and experience in co-operative development. “Our proposals are designed to ensure that co-operatives remain central to Malta’s economic and social landscape, driving sustainable growth and inclusive prosperity,” said Daniel Schembri, CEO of Koperattivi Malta.

With these strategic recommendations, Koperattivi Malta seeks to build a resilient and prosperous future for Malta, grounded in co-operative principles and sustainable economic practices. KM invites all stakeholders to join in this effort to make Malta a leader of co-operative excellence and inclusive growth.

For a full overview of Koperattivi Malta’s recommendations for the Malta Budget 2025, please read the complete document HERE.

For further information, please contact KM on [email protected]

About Koperattivi Malta: Koperattivi Malta is the leading representative body for local co-operatives, dedicated to advancing the co-operative model throughout the Maltese Islands. As a non-political organization, it works in partnership with the government and other stakeholders to foster a thriving co-operative community in Malta.

– End –