Revealed: From Workplace Wonders To Sustainable Success Stories, These Are The 2024 Malta Business Awards Categories
It’s that time of the year again for Malta’s businesses to be celebrated in a glamorous night of awards… and now, we know the categories they will be going up for!
The categories for this year’s Malta Business Awards – the largest business event held on a national level – have been announced, revealing a wide variety of niches that will help put any local business up on the big stage.
And what’s more, your business can actually apply for more than one award!
Check out which category your business may be eligible for right here:
1. Distinct Initiatives
The first major category is the Distinctive Initiatives category, an award recognising primarily businesses that distinguish themselves by demonstrating a heightened level of awareness and action towards the betterment of the community and stakeholders. These companies prioritise creating wellbeing and fairness in their successful ventures.
The Distinct Initiatives category also has a number of subcategories.
The Exceptional Wellbeing at the Workplace Award aims to recognise workplaces that excel in fostering a healthy environment, bringing out the best in their employees. Whether through individual initiatives or comprehensive wellbeing programmes, the workplace must demonstrate a positive impact on employees. The Selection Committee seeks businesses with a holistic understanding of workplace wellbeing, capable of setting exemplary models.
Another subcategory is the Social Impact Award, which recognises the best initiatives undertaken by businesses to benefit society and make a lasting impact. These initiatives should focus solely on giving back to the community. While businesses are commercial entities, they also play a crucial role in society. Selfless interventions often positively impact the implementing business.
The Leader in Mental Health Wellness Award seeks to recognises the importance of mental health awareness and honours private sector initiatives targeting mental health. It acknowledges efforts to address mental health issues, reduce stigma, and provide beneficial interventions for those facing mental health challenges. Whether independent projects or collaborative efforts, the goal is to create a positive impact on mental health.
Meanwhile, the Leader In Inclusivity Award targets private sector initiatives promoting inclusivity for persons with disabilities. Eligible actions include services catering to persons with disabilities, workplace integration and employment, and making buildings and websites fully accessible. Businesses with a wide range of inclusive measures will score higher.
The Local Cultural Contributor Award recognises businesses that highlight Maltese and Gozitan culture through their goods or services. It honours enterprises that integrate local culture into their commercial activities, enhancing its visibility and vitality. Eligible businesses must be based in Malta or primarily involve Maltese partners.
Last but definitely not least, the Customer Service Excellence Award recognises businesses that excel in customer care through a client-centred approach. The Selection Committee seeks businesses with successful, proven models in customer service.
2. National Transport Awards
The second category is the National Transport Awards, which celebrate businesses for their efforts in implementing initiatives which encourage the use of smart and sustainable transport and logistics solutions and initiatives.
The three subcategories here kick off with the Smart Transport Initiative Award, which is there for businesses that excel in using technology and digital tools for smart transportation, celebrating innovative and efficient solutions that benefit the business.
Then, there’s the Green Transport Initiative Award, honouring efforts to implement sustainable transport solutions, such as collective transportation, focusing on efficiency and the positive impact on the business.
Finally, the Logistics Solution Award celebrates businesses with innovative and scalable logistics solutions that enhance operational efficiency, optimise supply chains, and support sustainable growth.
3. Celebrating Business
The third major category is the Celebrating Business category which seeks to honours businesses for their achievements and encourages success across various categories. It recognises those that have thrived through entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and ingenuity.
The subcategories for Celebrating Business include Start-up Business of the Year, Family Business of the Year, Female Entrepreneur of the Year, Young Entrepreneur of the Year as well as Gozo Business of the Year.
Other subcategories here include SME of the Year, recognising an SME (26 to 250 employees) as a veritable champion of the year. It honours businesses that have achieved significant improvements in areas such as growth and innovation.
The President’s Choice Award is another interesting award which recognises a business or individual for their outstanding contribution to Maltese businesses. The SME Chambers’ President selects the recipient based on their experience and assessment of impact.
Finally, the Small Business of the Year Award is designed to recognise a Small Business (up to 25 employees, including the owner) as a champion for the year. The Selection Committee will be looking for small businesses that have made significant improvements in one or more of the following areas: business growth and added value, innovation, employee work conditions, support to society, and/or ecological sustainability.
4. Innovative & Sustainable Ambassadors
The final category honours businesses for their innovation and sustainable environmental initiatives. The Selection Committee seeks companies that effectively use resources and make a significant impact towards a sustainable future.
The six subcategories here start off with the Best Waste Management Strategy Award, recognising businesses that have implemented initiatives to reduce, reuse, or recycle waste, or that comply with environmental regulations to achieve these goals.
Project Green, meanwhile, recognises private sector projects that enhance green spaces through sustainable and innovative practices. It honours efforts that improve environmental impact, such as increasing green cover or biodiversity.
Innovative Digital Solution is designed to recognise the offering of an exceptional means of service, efficiency and accessibility. Digital Solutions give users and those administering it valuable tools to be able to do more and reach farther, in addition to insights, added visibility, functions and AI benefits… and the business that has really honed all of this throughout the last year will be the one taking home the award!
The Innovative Sustainable Business Award, meanwhile, recognises innovative sustainability initiatives that enhance business operations or product/service efficiency.
Who will be awarded the Business Leader in Energy and Water Sustainability? Well, it depends on who has integrated the practices of sustainable energy and water use the most into their core operations to ensure long-term resource sustainability.
Finally, the Leader in Quality Tourism awards the best private sector contributions to Maltese tourism. It honours businesses that offer innovative products or services that enhance the tourism experience and attract visitors in unique ways.
Do you think your company should apply for any of these? You are still in time. Applications for this year’s edition remain open until 7th August. Join the webinar happening tomorrow to see which categories you and your business may be eligible for!
Then, on 10th October, the finalists will be announced, with the grand Awards Night going down on 15th November.