€94,000 awarded to three social initiatives through MSIA 5th Edition!

Three winners have been chosen and awarded funding and additional non-financial support through the first-ever televised edition of the Malta Social Impact Awards (MSIA). Run by Inspirasia Foundation and the Gasan Foundation, MSIA brings businesses and philanthropists together to support local initiatives that have a positive social impact on Malta and help social purpose organisations grow into stronger entities. Five finalists pitched their initiatives during the event, which was aired on TVM on Saturday 27th March, explaining their inspirational stories and how they will change lives with the funds they win. After deliberation, the panel of judges chose the 1st place winner which was announced by Dr Lydia Abela on the night. SMS voting then opened for the public to choose the 2nd and 3rd place winners from the remaining 4 finalists, and these winners were announced yesterday evening on the Malta Social Impact Awards Facebook Page.

In 1st place, Charity Shops for the Community, an initiative by Inspire Foundation, was awarded their full requested funding of €50,000. The initiative seeks to create a more dignified way of shopping to help people at risk of poverty who may not be able to buy essential items. In 2nd place, Adopt a Grandparent by Missio Malta and Newsbook.com.mt, also won their full requested funding of €39,400. Adopt a Grandparent is an initiative which is aimed at pairing senior citizens within our community with caring individuals who touch base regularly to help the elderly feel loved and help combat loneliness and solitude. In 3rd place, Thrive Education and Wellness Farm by Thrive Malta won €4,600, part of their requested fund. Thrive Education and Wellness Farm is a wellness gardening programme that is aimed at improving mental and physical health - whilst enjoying nature and its therapeutic benefits. These awards were sponsored by Inspirasia Foundation, The Gasan Foundation, Iniala Group, Betsson, Brown’s Pharmacy and Sigma Foundation. All five finalists will also be awarded non-financial support in the form of mentoring and pro bono services from leading business in Malta to help develop their initiative. “We’re really excited that our project was chosen as the winner for this year’s Malta Social Impact Awards and we’re now itching to kick off this initiative that will contribute very real benefits to individuals who are at risk of poverty, to Inspire Foundation’s service users with a disability, and also to the environment.” - Claire Galea, Fundraising Manager of Inspire Foundation.

Since its launch in 2016, MSIA has awarded over €410,000 in grants to 16 organisations and over €115,000 in non-financial support and pro bono services to over 60 participants who have been part of the mentoring programme with TAKEOFF Business Incubator at the University of Malta and Vistage. These initiatives have had an impact on the lives of thousands of individuals in Malta, from children to the elderly, migrants and disadvantaged groups, as well as people suffering from mental or physical health issues.

For more information on the Malta Social Impact Awards, send an email to info@siamalta.org, visit the MSIA website or follow the MSIA Facebook page for regular updates.