Academy members supporting and mentoring Changemakers!

After months of hard work, the final programme of the first edition of Changemakers, Malta’s first social impact TV show, was aired live last Sunday 30th of October.  

Initially intending to award up to €100,000 to the winner/s of the programme, during deliberation the five judges decided that each finalist deserves to be a winner. This resulted in them donating an additional €35,000 to be able to award funding to each finalist.  

From mentoring to creating exposure, pitching workshops, and helping raise awareness, this initiative brought in a variety of players to provide opportunities for changemakers beyond just financial support. Over the past few weeks, the finalists have been working tirelessly with their mentors and Nathan Farrugia, with all presenting a fantastic pitch.  

It is great to see a number of Academy members form part of this support and go beyond to mentor and support the Changemakers. From GO p.l.c employees, to Vistage members who worked one on one with the participants to strengthen their initiatives. Changemakers also invited Nathan Farrugia, Roberta Lepre and Mandy Calleja, all part of the Academy Committee to share their insights on the finalists and causes and be part of the final event.  

It’s all about collaborations like these and finding ways that companies and different entities can come together to have more impact as a group.  

At the Academy of Givers, we are aware that improving society, the environment and philanthropic and corporate responsibility efforts in Malta cannot be possible without involving and supporting social and environmental organisations. The Academy itself as well as some of its members supported Changemakers and the changemakers themselves, by providing mentoring and financial support, as well as aiding in exposure and helping raise awareness.

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The funds were distributed as follows:

€50,000 to the main winner, Step Up For Parkinson's, for their initiative “Parkinson’s Centre”.

€25,000 to Embrace Diversity Organisation for their initiative “Physio Room”.

€25,000 to Fondazzjoni Sebħ for their initiative “After Care and Therapeutic Apartments”.

€25,000 to Zibel for their initiative “Sikka”.

€5,000 to RMJ Horse Rescue for their initiative “Development of Equine Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre”.

€5,000 was also awarded to Step Up for Parkinson's through the People’s Choice Awards, which was voted for by the public through SMS voting over the past week.

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While each finalist has been awarded funding, they still need additional funding to be able to reach their full funding goals. The public can join in on the impact and be part of the change by donating to these inspiring causes through the Zaar Crowdfunding platform at http://www.zaar.com.mt/changemakers-2022/  

If you wish to find out other ways in which you can support the participants of Changemakers further, visit www.changemakers.today/changemakers.  

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