The HSBC Malta Foundation renewed its support for the Eco-Schools environmental education programme during a ceremony held at Xrobb l-Gagin Nature Park and Sustainable Development Centre.

Among the various Eco-School initiatives organised this year, 12 Maltese schools won funding through an Eco-Schools competition to implement their in-school environmental projects. Students across the island competed by submitting project proposals of their own design to win project funding from 600 to 1,000, depending on the respective projects requirements.

Eco-Schools proposal competition succeeded on many levels. It engaged students in devising their own environmental projects and now the 12 winning proposals will be implemented with the prize money, said Resources and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino. The implementation of these projects will offer first-rate learning experiences for students while effectively helping their own schools become more environmentally sustainable.

HSBC supports Eco-Schools in Malta and worldwide as part of its commitment to environmental education, said HSBC Maltas CEO Mark Watkinson in his address during the ceremony. The banks involvement in this programme aptly expresses our forward thinking approach towards positive change and more sustainable practices within the community.

One of the remarkable strengths of the Eco-School programme is its ability to integrate environmental initiatives into the educational system while remaining flexible enough to adapt and meet the needs of each school individually, explained Francis Sullivan, HSBCs Advisor on the Environment and Deputy Head of Group Corporate Sustainability.

Eco-Schools, known in Malta as EkoSkola, is an international programme involving nearly 38,000 schools worldwide. By focusing on empowering students through learning experiences, the programme encourages students to become involved in their schools environmental decision-making for sustainable development, said Vincent Attard, Executive President Nature Trust (Malta).

HSBC Group this year granted 33,000 US dollars for this initiative, coordinated in Malta by Nature Trust (Malta), who represent the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) Malta, with support from the Ministry of Resources and Rural Affairs.

Photocaption 01 (Group photo): Hon Minister George Pullicino, HSBC Malta CEO Mark Watkinson and HSBCs Francis Sullivan together with the Eco-School winning students and Nature Trust (Malta) Council Members.

See more here:

HSBC Malta Foundation renews support for Eco-Schools