Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta (SEM) and the Malta Photographic Society launched a photographic competition with the theme ‘EU funds for a better quality of life’.

The competition was launched at a press conference by the Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds, Dr Chris Bonett, the CEO of SEM, Denise Fiorentino and the President of the Malta Photographic Society, Stephen Buhagiar.

The objective of the competition is to bring to life in a visual and attractive manner, the various economic and social contributions of EU funds through the several projects implemented in Malta and Gozo and which have brought a positive difference in all areas of life.

The competition is open to anyone above the age of 16. Participants are requested to submit photos with the following themes:

• Improving Malta’s Tourism Product
• Investing in the Health Sector
• Optimising Transport Links
• Enhancing our knowledge and innovation
• Creating a stronger Enterprise Infrastructure
• Enhancing the Education Experience
• Lifelong Learning and Employment
• Upgrading Malta’s waste management infrastructure
• Risk Prevention and Flood Relief
• Treating water as a precious resource
• Climate Change and renewable energy
• Creating a Stronger Private Sector
• Rural and Urban Regeneration
• Preserving our Ecclesiastical Cultural Heritage
• Investing in our Agricultural and Maritime Sectors
• Promoting European mobility and Identity

SUBMISSIONS
Interested participants are requested to submit up to four (4) photos related to EU funded projects that fall under the above themes. The four (4) submitted photos need to represent either four (4) different locations or four (4) different themes.

Photos will be judged in terms of how the portrayed EU-funded project brings out the theme of the competition. Photos that bring out the human element of the respective EU-funded project will earn extra points.

Furthermore, photographers submitting photos will need to indicate the EU-funded project captured by each photo and to give a short description of not more than 100 words for each photo, to help judges understand better the intended message of each photo submitted.

Photos are to be submitted in low-resolution to the Malta Photographic Society. Refer to T&Cs and rules of the competition for further details.

USE OF PHOTOS
Following the competition, the best twenty (20) photos will be selected and displayed in an exhibition at SEM premises in Republic Street, Valletta.

An additional twenty (20) photos will be selected so that in total, forty (40) photos are published in a book that will be distributed to students to increase the knowledge about how EU funds are being invested in Malta. The book is aimed to raise awareness on the theme of the competition.

PRIZES
One (1) winner and forty (40) photos will be selected by a jury composed of two (2) representatives of the Malta Photographic Society and two (2) representatives of SEM. Each selected photo will be awarded a monetary voucher as a small token of participation.

Prizes will be as following:

• €50 for each chosen photograph
• €400 for the winner of the competition

The winner of the competition will not be given additional monetary prizes for additional photos chosen for the exhibition or published in the book.

INFORMATION ABOUT LOCATIONS AND PROJECTS
Those who want to learn more about the different EU-funded projects need to visit fondi.eu for a list incorporating some of the successful implemented projects. A more exhaustive list can be found here.

TIMEFRAMES
All submissions must be submitted through MPS website by August 31, 2023. Late submissions and those submissions who do not follow the specified rules will not be accepted.

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