Over 45 innovators, entrepreneurs and academics have taken part in a series of workshops held under the Innovation Exchange initiative, a national effort led by the EIT Community in Malta – part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union – and BusinessLabs to strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem and align with the ambitions of Malta’s Vision 2050.

The workshops, held throughout October, explored three interconnected themes reflecting the economic, environmental and social pillars of sustainable growth. These were, Smart Growth through Innovation, Innovating for a Greener Future, and Empowering Communities through Social Wellness Innovation. Together, they offered a rare snapshot of how Malta’s innovation landscape is evolving, and what needs to change for it to thrive.

Across all three sessions, participants spoke candidly about the opportunities and challenges that continue to impact Malta’s innovation momentum. A recurring theme was risk aversion and cultural inertia. Entrepreneurs described an environment in which, despite the ongoing efforts of various stakeholders, innovation can still be held back by the need for proof. The result is a tendency for change to be incremental rather than transformational. Other points of discussion included better optimising political and corporate planning horizons to make long-term investment in innovation even more effective than is currently the case. In particular, the beneficial impact of longer term thinking on innovators’ ability to secure funding and the right talent was seen as a crucial topic.

During the workshops, there was strong agreement on the importance of collaboration and trust. Participants across all sectors called for closer cooperation between academia, industry, and government, as well as stronger networks that connect local innovators with international partners. Many also argued that Malta’s regulatory environment can be an obstacle, with inconsistent enforcement and excessive bureaucracy deterring new ideas and technologies.

Despite these challenges, there was a clear sense of optimism with workshop participants noting that there is a genuine desire to innovate in many economic sectors in Malta but that what’s need are better structures that reward innovation rather than resist it. This sentiment is mirrored in Malta’s performance in the 2025 European Innovation Scoreboard, where the country ranks as a Moderate Innovator, leading the EU in non-R&D innovation spending but still lagging in research capacity, venture funding and cross-sector collaboration.

According to Diana Miceli, EIT Community Hub Malta Officer, the Innovation Exchange is helping to bridge those gaps. “The Innovation Exchange is helping EIT deliver on its mission to empower innovators and connect ecosystems across Europe,” she said. “By creating spaces for honest dialogue, collaboration and learning, we’re also supporting Malta’s Vision 2050 and ensuring innovation contributes to a smarter economy, greener environment and healthier communities.”

The findings from the workshops will now inform the discussions at the Innovation Exchange Conference, which takes place on 14 November at Villa Arrigo. The event will bring together policymakers, EIT representatives, industry leaders and entrepreneurs to explore how Malta can build a smarter, more connected innovation ecosystem, strengthen its green transition, and advance health and social innovation to improve quality of life.

The conference will also include a spotlight on the EIT Urban Mobility Hub, an innovation expo, and a networking event sponsored by Deep Tech Foundry. Stakeholders from across all sectors are encouraged to take part in shaping the next phase of Malta’s innovation journey. Registration for the event is open at https://hatch.mt/innovation-exchange/.

For more information, please reach out to the EIT Community RIS HUB Malta: malta@eitcommunity.eu or follow the LinkedIn page: EIT Community RIS Hub Malta