The National Supporting Business Awards (NSBA)
About the Competition
The National Supporting Business Awards (NSBA) is the national phase of the European Enterprise Awards (EEPA) where the 27 Member States of the European Union as well as associate countries of the SME pillar of the Single Market Programme Support to SMEs – European Commission (europa.eu) are invited to submit a maximum of 2 nominations to compete in the EEPA. The main thrust of the awards is to reward initiatives that are facilitating business.
Participants may apply in one of two sections with a prize of €15000 and €8000 for the participant which places first and second respectively in each section.
Who may participate
There are two different sections in the national competition:
Section A which is open to Government Entities (ministries, departments, local councils, public authorities and entities and public-private partnerships).
Section B which is open to NGOs, trade unions, professional associations, public and church schools, public educational institutions, University of Malta, associations representing sectors in business and industry and for the first time, private entities which fall under the SME definition as set out in the EU SME definition.
Eligible Initiatives
All of the above potential participants (except for SMEs) can compete in the six categories listed below. SMEs can only participate in category 6.
Category 1: Improving the business environment and promoting the entrepreneurial spirit:
This category recognises projects that promote an entrepreneurial mindset.
Category 2: Investing in entrepreneurial skills
This category recognises initiatives at local or national level to improve entrepreneurial, managerial and employee skills.
Category 3: Supporting the digital transition
This category supports initiative which aim at supporting the digital transition of enterprises enabling them to develop, market and use digital technologies, products and services of any kind.
Category 4: Supporting the internationalisation of business:
This category recognises innovative policies and projects, which help SMEs to expand to new markets, support cross-border trade and help to internationalise.
Category 5: Supporting the sustainable transition
This category recognises policies and initiatives at national, or local level that support the sustainable transition and support environmental aspects such as the circular economy, climate neutrality, clean energy, resource efficiency or biodiversity through, for example, sustainable skills development and matchmaking as well as funding.
Category 6: Responsible and inclusive entrepreneurship
This category recognises local or national initiatives by authorities, public/private partnerships or SMES that promote corporate social responsibility among small and medium sized enterprises. This category will also recognise efforts to promote entrepreneurship among disadvantaged groups such as the unemployed (especially long-term unemployed), legal migrants, disabled persons or people from ethnic minorities.
Please refer to for Applications and Guidelines attached on the left.
Applications must reach the Commerce Department by not later than Wednesday 30th April 2025.