Mission Statement

To coordinate the Ministry’s response on social affairs and related areas within the European Union (EU) and other international fora; to assist in the drawing up of policies in matters relating to Social Affairs; and to coordinate and monitor the implementation of EU co-financed projects and programmes pertaining to the Ministry.

Core Functions

The remit of the Policy Development and Programme Implementation Directorate covers the following areas of operation:

  1. EU Affairs
  2. International Affairs
  3. Policy Development
  4. Programme Implementation
 
Main Responsibilities

  1. EU Affairs – The Policy Development and Programme Implementation Directorate is responsible for coordinating the formulation of Ministry positions on EU-related issues and initiatives, as well as in coordinating participation by Ministry representatives in EU fora. The Directorate is also entrusted with proactively identifying areas of key strategic importance in Social Affairs where the EU institutions are engaging in discussion and formulation of proposals and to undertake consultations related thereto, whether within the Ministry itself or with external stakeholders. Furthermore, the Directorate is responsible for ensuring that all obligations entered into by Government as an EU Member State are adhered to in the agreed time-frames. This also involves monitoring compliance with EU Directives and other legislative provisions that pertain to the Ministry.
  2. International Affairs – The Policy Development and Programme Implementation Directorate provides its support to the development of bilateral activities with other countries and seeks opportunities for fostering greater international collaboration while ensuring compliance with bilateral and multilateral agreements and commitments. Moreover, the Directorate coordinates the Ministry’s response to requests received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as from other Ministries, relating to areas of activity pertaining to the Ministry, and originating from international fora such as the United Nations and the Council of Europe. The Directorate is also responsible for monitoring the Ministry’s compliance of International and Bilateral Conventions.
  3. Policy Development – The Directorate contributes towards enhancing policy development and formulation within the Ministry, in particular, by keeping abreast of the policies being proposed and discussed by the EU that might have a direct or indirect effect on the strategy or operations of the Ministry, as well as through the dissemination of documentation and any other related information emanating from both the EU and other international institutions.Besides, the Directorate is responsible for ensuring that the Ministry’s policies at both EU and International level are coherent and consistent with Government-wide policies.
  4. Programme Implementation – The work carried out by the Programme Implementation Unit within the Policy Development and Programme Implementation Unit mainly involves monitoring the implementation of the various projects, initiatives and measures pertaining to the Ministry, while also coordinating with other stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation of such projects, initiatives and measures.The Directorate also promotes the participation of Ministry line entities in EU funded programmes and initiatives while also providing guidance and support to facilitate the submission of project proposals for EU funding.​
 
Fund for European Aid for the Most Deprived (FEAD)

The Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived programme was launched across the European Union (EU) in January 2015 and replaced the EU’s Food Distribution programme for the Most Deprived (MDP). The aim of FEAD is to break the vicious circle of poverty and deprivation across the European Union (EU) by providing non-financial assistance to vulnerable citizens in the Member States.  More information.