HSBC and the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) are renewing their commitment to the EkoSkola programme in Malta with a further grant of US$30,000. The grant is part of a global programme, the HSBC Eco-Schools Climate Initiative, backed by a financial commitment from HSBC of US$2.5 million over three years. The aim of the initiative is to teach five- to 18-year-olds about protecting the environment through the FEE's Eco-Schools International Programme.
This is the second year that the EkoSkola Malta project proposal was selected by HSBC to benefit from the grant, along with another 17 countries. Ten primary and secondary schools in Malta and Gozo will receive funds for their projects to raise awareness on climate change in their school and the community.
For this second phase of the HSBC Eco-School Climate Initiative registrations have been received from 56 schools. The major development over last year’s project is The School-Community Link Project Grant Scheme. A total of 19 schools submitted an expression of interest with projects that demonstrate how their school can become a hub of climate change action by working with and within their local communities. The 10 selected projects receiving the funds focus on energy conservation, waste management, healthy lifestyles, transport and sustainable gardens.
The 10 schools are Gozo College, Xewkija Primary; Maria Regina College - Sta Venera Primary; St Benedict College - Safi Primary; St Benedict College - Zurrieq Primary; St Francis School - Sliema; St Gorg Preca College - Floriana Primary; St Gorg Preca College - Paola Primary A; St Joseph School - Blata l-Bajda; St Margaret College - Girls' Secondary Cospicua; and St Margaret College - Kalkara Primary.
Prof Paul Pace, National EkoSkola Coordinator, said that Malta was also one of the countries selected to participate in Phase 1 of the project, with a grant of US$33,000. The project involved 35 HSBC staff delivering 50 talks on climate change in 37 schools, reaching over 3,600 students and 100 parents. A monthly newsletter prepared by HSBC staff was also distributed to the participating schools.
Fourteen participating schools took part in a national Eco-Code Competition with suggested tips on how to reduce climate change. Kelly-Marie Zammit Gauci from St Francis School Birkirkara won the Primary Section, while Leanne Coleiro from St Joseph, Mater Boni Consilii School, Paola - won the Secondary Section. Both winners participated in the international Eco-Code Competition and Leanne Coleiro managed to place second (from 10 participants) in the Youth category.
On presenting Ms Coleiro a financial reward for the school, HSBC Malta CEO Alan Richards said: "Climate change is widely acknowledged to be the most significant challenge the world is facing. It is important that we equip our children with the knowledge to understand the challenges and to make informed decisions about climate change. HSBC is committed to addressing the impacts of climate change and understands that education is a vital part of the solution."
George Pullicino, Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs, said: "This programme encourages our students to help in combating climate change and improve energy efficiency, a reasoning which is in line with one of the top policy priorities of Government and which the Ministry of Resources and Rural Affairs is tasked with devising. Renewable energy technology is a growing sector with breakthroughs and innovations happening as we speak. I must admit that the best promoters of environment friendly measures are our children! Nowadays our children are becoming more environmentally conscious. This is achieved thanks to the hard work done by the leaders of the programme EcoSkola."
Vincent Attard, Executive President Nature Trust Malta (NTM) - the non-governmental organisation that runs FEE programmes in Malta, said: “It is wonderful that HSBC has again selected Malta for another cycle of funding. This shows that the work we are doing in Eco Schools locally is being appreciated from international companies like HSBC. Today, NTM is a leader in environmental education on a national level. This second cycle opportunity will allow us to continue raising awareness on climate change and environmental issues even further – that is, from schools to community.”