06 March, 2026
The HSBC Malta Foundation and JA Malta Foundation, formerly known as Young Enterprise Malta, are proud to announce a renewed strategic partnership that will see HSBC commit €150,000 over three years. This investment, amounting to €50,000 annually, will support JA Malta’s mission to empower young people through entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainability education.
This renewed collaboration reflects a shared vision between the two organisations: to equip Malta’s youth with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in today’s evolving economy, while fostering a strong sense of social and environmental responsibility.
Through this partnership, the HSBC Malta Foundation is supporting some of JA Malta’s most impactful programmes and initiatives. These include the Company Programme, where students aged 15 to 18 set up and run their own mini-companies, and the StartUp Programme, which gives university students the opportunity to develop and launch their own business ideas in a real-world setting.
In addition to these core programmes, the foundation is also supporting wider entrepreneurship education initiatives focused on financial capability and work readiness. Sustainability and ESG-themed workshops and events are also a key part of this effort, helping to embed environmentally conscious thinking throughout JA Malta’s educational framework.
A major highlight of this collaboration is the introduction of two new national awards, fully funded by HSBC Malta Foundation. The HSBC Green Entrepreneurship Award, designed for post-secondary students taking part in the Company Programme, encouraging innovative and eco-friendly business solutions. Meanwhile, the HSBC ESG Sustainability Award, part of the StartUp Programme at tertiary level, recognises student teams that successfully integrate environmental, social and governance principles into their business models. The winning team from this category will also be eligible for up to €10,000 in seed funding if they choose to continue developing their idea beyond the programme.
Another important milestone in this partnership is the establishment of the JA Malta Centre of Excellence, a national initiative developed in collaboration with the Government of Malta and the Ministry for Education. This initiative serves as a new impetus for entrepreneurship and financial literacy education, offering accredited training to educators through a University of Malta-approved course. It empowers teachers to embed financial and entrepreneurial education across the curriculum, while giving schools access to global initiatives like Global Money Week and the opportunity to gain national recognition as a centre of excellence.
Matthew Caruana, CEO of JA Malta Foundation, said the renewed agreement marks an exciting new chapter. “HSBC Malta Foundation has been a key partner for decades. This agreement goes beyond teaching students how to run a business. It’s about shaping responsible leaders who understand the value of sustainability from the very beginning. These new awards are not just prizes — they are a call to action for our young changemakers.”
Geoffrey Fichte, CEO at HSBC Bank Malta and Chairman for the HSBC Malta Foundation, echoed the importance of investing in Malta’s youth. “At HSBC, we believe in supporting Malta’s future through our young people. These programmes give students the chance to develop a mindset that blends innovation, responsibility and leadership. Sustainability is not a trend — it’s an essential part of how we move forward across all industries, and we are proud to play a role in helping students embrace that mindset early on.”
This strengthened partnership builds on years of successful collaboration and sets the stage for even greater national impact. HSBC Malta Foundation looks forward to supporting more initiatives with JA Malta in the coming years, further reinforcing its commitment to youth development and sustainability-focused education in Malta.
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