Budget 2026 – Proposals made by members of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development

Request for Quotations

for the engagement of Consultants (Researchers/Economists) with the Malta Council of Social and Economic Development (MCESD) to

  1. Assist the Gozo Regional Committee (GRC) and the Civil Society Committee (CSC) in the preparation of their respective sectorial 2026 Budget Proposals document, and
  2. Coordinate and compile a consolidation report of MCESD Budget Proposals 2026

 

Context

As part of the National Budgetary cycle, an annual exercise is carried out wherein MCESD collates budget proposals forwarded by the social partner members within MCESD.  An exercise is undertaken to coordinate and consolidate these proposals into one converged report forwarded to the Minister of Finance for his consideration.

In providing overall direction regarding budgetary measures to be proposed, MCESD urges social partners to collectively try to shape a budget that drives national ambitions of an improved economy motivated by human-centric development through digitalisation, respect of environmental wellbeing, and honest social equity, and is supported by the highest governance practices at all levels. Particular attention should be given to proposals that support the green and digital transitions and address demographic challenges.

Social partners are urged to use this exercise as an opportunity to forward proposals that aim to foster a regenerative and distributive economic update aimed at driving the aspirations of current and future generations.

Terms of Reference

  1. Assist the Gozo Regional Committee (GRC) and the Civil Society Committee (CSC) in the preparation of their separate budget proposals document.
    • Hold meetings, as need be, with GRC and CSC members to facilitate the generation of contributions.
    • Engage, as need be, in focused discussions to elaborate/clarify particular proposals.
    • Compile and package separate budget proposal reports for GRC and CSC.
  1. Assist social partners, as need be, to create value to their proposals by clearly defining the proposals’ scope and goals, provide detail on how such proposals will be implemented and their proposed impact ( e.g time and money saved as a result of automation)
  1. Preparation of a consolidated report outlining the categorisation, classification and analysis of all Social Partners (Unions, Employer Bodies, Civil Society Committee and the Gozo Regional Committee) Budgetary Proposals 2026 including their prioritisation

Report prepared should include:

  1. Categorisation of Budgetary Proposals under the themes of:
  • Culture & Arts
  • Economy & Enterprise
  • Education & Employment
  • Energy & Environment
  • Governance & Justice
  • Health
  • Infrastructure & Investment
  • Social Impact
  1. Distinguish between cross-cutting measures and sectoral measures. For sectoral measures, kindly indicate the relevant sector/s
  2. Indication, where possible, if National Budget/EU funding has been allocated for such measure
  3. Indication, where possible, if measure proposed is a national initiative or emanates from EU legislation
  4. Highlight areas of agreement/convergence amongst proposals forwarded by the different social partners
  5. Link proposals to ESG factors, the Green Economy and Just Transition and Demographic challenges
  6. Where applicable, indicate if the proposed measures tackle the main National concerns of rising Housing and Cost of Living, overdevelopment, governance, Healthcare and aging population, wellbeing, Competitiveness and Climate Change
  7. Preparation and delivery of a presentation, outlining the above, to be delivered to Minister of Finance and/or his representative, also during a purposely held MCESD Budgetary proposals meeting
  8. The Final Report, working excel sheet and presentation are to be considered together as the final deliverable.

Quotation Amount

Quotations are to be submitted for an amount not exceeding €4,900, exclusive of VAT.

 Payment will be affected as follows:

  • 30% on finalisation of Phase I
  • The remaining 70% on completion of Phase II

 

Timeframes for implementation

The Final deliverable is to be forwarded to MCESD by the last week of August 2025

Presentation to Council members to be delivered during a subsequent MCESD Council meeting. 

Proposals

Interested researchers/economists are to submit a Proposal by email to MCESD on [email protected] including recommended methodology, actions and initiatives, the CV/s of the person/s undertaking the study (outlining their academic background, research competence and experience in the subject area, including a proven record of experience in collaborating with social partners) and a financial offer by the 30th April 2025.

Note: In the case of a Company, the appointed expert assigned to carry out the study cannot be changed during the course of the study unless there are extraordinary circumstances, and any changes have to be approved by the Chairman, MCESD.