A new collaborative hub designed to fuel Malta's innovation economy and advance its national Vision 2050 strategy was launched today by The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) in partnership with BusinessLabs.

Dubbed The Innovation Exchange, this initiative creates a dynamic national forum where Malta's key innovators - from entrepreneurs and investors to policymakers and academics - can connect to tackle challenges and co-develop real-world solutions.

"The goal is to make innovation a central pillar of Malta's future," said Diana Miceli, EIT’s Malta Community Officer. "We are creating a space where great ideas can be scaled for national impact and international reach."

The Innovation Exchange will unfold in a structured, action-oriented process:

1. Thematic Workshops (September-October): The first phase consists of a series of hands-on workshops focused on three critical areas:

• Smart Growth through Innovation
• Innovating for a Greener Future
• Empowering Communities through Social Wellness Innovation
  

2. National Public Forum (End of Year): Insights gathered from the workshops will shape a major public forum. This event will serve as a launchpad for concrete collaborative projects and evidence-based policy recommendations.

By uniting the ecosystem, The Innovation Exchange aims to ensure that innovation drives not just economic growth, but also tangible social and environmental progress for Malta.

"This initiative is about forging stronger connections - between government and business, research and practice," Ms Miceli added. "It's about linking Malta’s ecosystem more closely with the wider European innovation landscape."

About the EIT

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is an EU body and an integral part of Horizon Europe, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. The EIT strengthens Europe's ability to innovate by powering solutions to pressing global challenges and by nurturing entrepreneurial talent to create sustainable growth and skilled jobs in Europe.