Month: November 2026

The BOV Foundation has launched a new Call for Applications focused specifically on financial capability, inviting eligible organisations to propose practical initiatives that can strengthen financial knowledge, and decision-making across communities in Malta and Gozo.

The call forms part of the Foundation’s Education Pillar and reflects the growing importance of financial capability as an essential life skill. From budgeting and saving to understanding credit, preparing for retirement and navigating an increasingly digital financial environment, people today are required to make financial decisions that can have long-term consequences for their well-being and financial resilience.

The call identifies five broad priority groups: children aged 11 to 16; young people aged 17 to 25; adults aged 26 to 64; older adults aged 65 and over; and other groups requiring more accessible or culturally tailored approaches to financial education. Across these groups, the emphasis is on measurable outcomes and lasting impact rather than simply delivering activities. Projects should demonstrate the change they aim to achieve, how that change will be measured, and how the resulting resources or learning can continue to benefit communities beyond the funding period.

Proposals can address a wide range of real-life financial challenges. These include helping young people understand budgeting; supporting young adults as they move into work and independent living; strengthening retirement planning; tackling digital exclusion among older adults; and developing accessible financial tools for communities whose needs may not be adequately served through traditional financial education.

Preference will be given to projects co-designed with the communities they aim to serve and to accessible, interactive approaches rather than traditional lecture-style instruction.

Ernest Agius, Deputy Chair of the BOV Foundation and the Bank’s Chief Operations Officer explained, “Financial literacy is ultimately about giving people greater confidence and capability to deal with the decisions they encounter in everyday life. Those decisions change as we move through different stages of life, but the need to understand our choices and their implications remains. Financial capability contributes not only to individual well-being, but also to greater inclusion and resilience within our communities.”

The call provides for indicative grants of €2,000 to €15,000 per project, with between four and eight grants expected, depending on demand and project scale. Applications will be assessed on their strategic fit, evidence of need, expected outcomes, delivery capability, risk and value for money.

Applications open on 6 November 2026 and must be submitted by Friday, 18 December 2026. Applicants will be notified of the outcome by Friday, 26 February 2027. The Call for Applications and accompanying Guidance Note set out the application process, forms and detailed submission requirements. To qualify, projects must be offered on a non-commercial basis, without the promotion of specific financial products or services, and must provide appropriate safeguarding, accessibility and data-protection arrangements where applicable.

Applications should be submitted through the online form Volunteer Application that is found on the Bank’s websitehttps://www.bov.com   by the closing date. Prospective applicants who have read the call and guidance and require further clarification may contact the Foundation at bovfoundation@bov.com

Bank of Valletta, in collaboration with the Karl Vella Foundation, organised a well-being workshop that brought together employees from across the Bank to explore compassion, grief and psychological safety. The event encouraged open conversation about experiences that are often difficult to discuss, while highlighting the importance of creating supportive environments at work and in their personal lives.

Held in Rabat, the workshop featured two sessions delivered by Mark Calleja, a qualified professional in Training and Human Resources Management with expertise in Consciousness and Transpersonal Psychology from the Karl Vella Foundation.

The first session, “Grief – The Price of Love,” explored how individuals and families experience loss differently and highlighted the importance of support during difficult times. The second session, “Psychological Safety and Compassion at the Workplace,” examined how compassion, trust, and connection can strengthen well-being, relationships, and the workplace. BOV employees had the opportunity to speak openly about grief, challenge the stigma surrounding it, and take part in meaningful conversations about a subject that is often avoided. The sessions resonated strongly with attendees, many of whom highlighted the value of creating a safe space in which to explore and better understand the grieving process.

Mr Calleja encouraged more organisations to hold similar events for employees’ well-being, not only to raise awareness on sensitive topics, but also to give employees a safe space to come together and discuss experiences such as grief.

This initiative forms part of Bank of Valletta’s ongoing collaboration with the Karl Vella Foundation. The Bank has proudly supported the Foundation’s “Because You Matter” programme for years. To date, the programme has supported more than 400 people, with 254 beneficiaries currently receiving emotional support and one-to-one or family therapy. This service offers emotional and psychological support to patients, donors, and carers who travel abroad for specialised medical treatment. Support includes scheduled phone calls, check-ins, individual therapy, and crisis intervention by mental health professionals.

This collaboration between Bank of Valletta and the Karl Vella Foundation reflects both organisations’ commitment to making a positive impact in the community and supporting initiatives that promote well-being.

Coordinated by the BOV Corporate Social Responsibility Team, the workshop gave employees an opportunity to pause, connect, and openly discuss grief, mental health, resilience, and emotional well-being. It also reflected the shared commitment of Bank of Valletta and the Karl Vella Foundation to foster a workplace where people feel understood, supported, and comfortable seeking help.