9 Amazing Social Impact Projects That Malta Needs Right Now
We recently announced the awesome news that a €40,000 (!) grant is up for grabs to help fund a great idea that could have a big social impact on Malta.
If you’re desperate to do something that will change how we live in Malta but you’re still scratching your head as to what it could be, here’s a few existing schemes that could get those cogs turning.
1. The Sea Bin – Environment
In 2015, two Australian surfers declared war on ocean litter and quit their jobs to create this crazy-simple sea-cleaning device. Imagine if Malta had a product designer out there who could create the equivalent for the infamous sea slime! Epic.
2. The ExerWise wristband for kids – Health
This small, Irish startup is working hard to create and manufacture wristbands that track daily activity in children. The bands have three colours which each tell the child wearing them how well they’re doing with their activity on any given day. With child inactivity and obesity being a massive problem in Malta, something as simple as this could be really effective!
3. Tea with the elderly – Social Inclusion
One Sunday a month in London this awesome organisation organises tea parties at young people’s houses for small groups of elderly people. The idea is to battle the problem of loneliness that comes with old age. Everyone knows that “ħu belgħa te” is the answer to all woes – so there’s no reason this wouldn’t work in Malta!
4. Reserved seats for friendship – Transport
You know the seats on buses which are labelled as reserved for people with a disability, or pregnant women, etc.? An initiative in Brazil created reserved seats for people who wanted to make friends. With the amount of tension seemingly surrounding using buses in Malta, we reckon this could not only help cool things down, but also encourage more people to commute by public transport!
5. Mandatory meditation – Education
The Calm Classroom is an app which offers teachers the resources to begin their classes with short meditation exercises everyday. This could not only promote a healthy way for Maltese kids to start their day – it would also be beneficial for our teachers. Win-win.
6. Green street furniture – Urban Living
We’re constantly complaining about increasing density and lack of green spaces in Malta. But who’s to say we can’t inject some greenery into our most built-up areas? Street furniture is a perfect opportunity to bring life to congested areas in Malta.
7. Bullying autocorrect – Community
Reword is a tool that functions like autocorrect, but for phrases that contribute to online bullying. This means that when it’s activated, kids are made aware immediately if they’re about to say something that would be considered cyberbullying. Even just a scaled down version of this would be beneficial in Malta – a lecture across schools to young kids about which phrases to avoid when they’re online.
8. Fruitcycling – Waste
Fruitcycle is an awesome initiative that not only makes use of tonnes of food that would otherwise go to waste, but also employs people from the margins of society to help make it happen. This kind of idea doesn’t just need to relate to food – if Malta’s trash could become Malta’s treasure in a similar way – we’d be winning!
9. Generational mingling – Health & Community
In a tear-jerking documentary called Present Perfect, director Evan Briggs beautifully highlights the benefits of generational interaction using the example of a nursing home brought together with a kindergarten in America. The positive impacts that this mingling exercise has on both the very young and very old seem incredible. And it’s just so simple to implement. Malta – get on it.
Inspired yet?
Well get cracking. This is the second year in which the Gasan Foundation and Inspirasia Foundation are collaborating, together with other local businesses, to find the right project to support.
The €40,000 grant will be given to the most innovative and effective submission, while other finalists may receive non-financial support, including mentoring which will help make your projects a reality.
If your idea meets the required guidelines, you’ll need to submit your proposal together with a filled-in application form.