These 13 Maltese Philanthropic Projects Are One Step Closer To Getting Funding
Remember when we mentioned that €80,000 was up for grabs if you could come up with a project that would better life in Malta in some way? Well a bunch of awesome people have stepped up to the plate, and 13 of them have moved one step closer to winning the funds!
The Social Impact Awards is a new initiative for Malta – the event is only in its second year. It’s organised by The Gasan Foundation and Inspirasia Foundation, with the support of other businesses, and its core aim is to create a platform for new philanthropic ideas. So here’s a look at 13 of the best submitted this year.
1. Making Care Giving a Positive Experience
Submitted by: The Malta Hospice Movement
Hospice have put forward a plan to introduce professional nursing guidance for symptom management, nursing care and emotional support in the home. The initiative sets out to reduce isolation amongst patients, avoid hospitalisation where possible, and enable patients to die at home should this be their wish. This will be an after-hours, free of charge service – just imagine how many families could benefit from this.
2. iSmart
Submitted by: iSmart
An inclusive education app designed for learning difficulties has been selected for it’s plan to give confidence to students struggling to read and write. iSmart is a young startup company based in Malta dedicated to training teachers in using advanced software solutions to help children. Their assistive technology tools for students with learning difficulties could really make a difference to literacy in Malta.
3. Friendship Cards
Submitted by: Relationship are Forever
Ever had a big fight with a friend in school? If you have then you’ll know that, as a kid, that stuff can hurt! Friendship Cards is an education tool which helps children develop their emotional literacy and conflict resolution life skills. If every teacher could whack these out when their class kids are having issues, how much better would the world be?
4. Sport4Youth
Submitted by: Malta Youth Athletes Network
This project incorporates sports with social improvement. How? Through an online awareness-raising campaign that highlights the problem of obesity and unhealthy living. Also, through the creation of a youth athletes’ community, and through the delivery of a sport training programme for orphans. Now that’s a plan.
5. Walking Malta
Submitted by: University of Malta
Pedestrians’ needs in Malta have taken a backseat of late. Increasing the number of people who freely decide to walk would have a life-changing impact on public health, improve social interaction, help tackle economic and environmental issues of traffic and congestion – and more. The Walking Malta App would be a service to inform, engage and empower pedestrians. How’s that for a step towards change?
6. Building Bridges
Submitted by: Migrant Women Association Malta
Building Bridges aims to integrate migrant women through employment. The project will develop a refugee-specific and gender-sensitive programme providing refugee women with the necessary skills, guidance, and social support to successfully secure a job in Malta. Because who doesn’t want more integration? No one, that’s who.
7. #Żibel
Submitted by: #Żibel
Are you sick of litter and poor waste management in Malta? We are too, and so are the guys from #Żibel. They plan to tackle these problems holistically, using modern, educational, design, engineering and social techniques to drive society towards a more sustainable future. They’re not looking for a temporary fix but a radical re-structuring in Maltese culture and lifestyle and the waste it leaves behind.
8. LoP – the Language of Photography
Submitted by: KOPIN (Koperazzjoni Internazzjonali – Malta)
Kopin will be organising five photographic workshops for ten people with hearing impairment or loss, instructed by one of Malta’s top photographers, Darrin Zammit Lupi. The aim will be to explore new forms of self-expression through photography; gain new perspectives on Malta and enhance social interaction. We can’t wait to see what comes out of this one.
9. Giving Gardens
Submitted by: Terra Firma Collective
Imagine Malta could have a collection of community art gardens in urban centres – refreshing green oases where young and old could rest, share and learn how to create and grow sustainable beauty together. This project is on a mission to make that happen – uniting communities and artists in the process. #Yasss
10. Green Roads Malta
Submitted by: Green Roads Malta
How can we make our roads greener? Launch an app that gives rewards to carpoolers and public transport users via a gamifed reward system. The project aims to reduce the carbon footprint caused by traffic. Simple, but super effective.
11. iContribute
Submitted by: Contribute Malta
As companies and individuals we all want to help others and give to charity, but how? What if there was a solution where companies could just sell products or services and give to charity at the same time, and customers can get the option of choosing a charity product, doesn’t that sound like a win-win?
iContribute comes in the form of a sticker (or logo when sold with services) that can be put on any product or service. This product/service will then become a “charity product”, as part of the sales price will go to a local charity organization. The iContribute concept is a “platform” for companies to take care of their CSR and for people to make conscious choices of how they consume and help others at the same time.
12. Zerniq
Submitted by: Dar Guzeppa Debono
The Zerniq project will focus on two major things: eradicating social exclusions, and equipping youths with skills to stay above the poverty threshold. Apart from assistance from experts in the field, this project will educate and raise awareness to leave a positive footprint to stop social exclusions and poverty on future generations. Amen to that!
13. OOPS – Mental Health Campaign
Submitted by: OOPS (organisations of Psychology Students)
OOPS is proposing a school-based mental health awareness campaign to increase awareness about mental health issues, improve public attitudes towards people with mental health problems, and empower and support these very same people. The project will also launch a new in-house psychological service for staff and students of GCHSS as a walk-in clinic, free of charge.
So that’s it – what an amazing list of projects, powered by some awesome, well-meaning people. These 13 semi-finalists are now going through a three-month mentoring programme with TAKEOFF Malta in order to strengthen their ability to deliver these amazing initiatives. In October finalists will be chosen paired with a mentor from Malta’s Academy for Chief Executives – so even more training and development.
Finally, the last event will see the finalists pitching their projects to an audience of philanthropists, professionals and company foundations that could offer further supporter. The judges will then pick a winning project or projects and hand out the cash! (Also some exciting non-cash awards).
We can’t wait to see how far these groups will go. Malta needs you guys!