Birkirkara Women Beat Breznica: Move To Final Qualifier

Sep 7 2023

Birkirkara FC Women have successfully moved onto the final game of the preliminary group after a 1-0 victory over Montenegro’s Breznica in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Marking their second victory in this competition over last season’s Glentoran, Birkirkara will now have to face up against Switzerland champions FC Zurich.

The goal for last night’s match came thanks to new summer signing Edith Garcia as she found a net in the last few moments of the game.

Led by coach Jose Borg, the team will be taking on the final stage of this preliminary level at the Centenary Stadium on Saturday.

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BirdLife Call Out Hunting Illegalities

Sep 6 2023

Birdlife Malta has claimed that just six days into the five month autumn hunting season, the NGO has already been alerted to various occurrences of illegal hunting.

Following the Xwejni incident of a juvenile Greater Flamingo reportedly being shot in front of tourists and taken away, an injured Eleonora’s Falcon was was picked last Saturday from Tal-Ħarrax, Gozo. The MaltaGov confirmed the bird was shot.

‘On Monday, a flock of 12 Glossy Ibises (Velleran) migrating near Rabat (Malta) were also targeted, with at least one bird seen shot down. A member of the public later alerted us to the presence of an injured ibis in the area. However, the bird disappeared before BirdLife Malta was able to collect it.’

BirdLife explained how a flock of over 60 European Honey Buzzards were targeted, a Western Marsh-harrier was found injured with a dangling leg and Little Egret was also found with a broken leg.

‘We urge members of the public to report hunting illegalities to us in a timely manner. Should anyone encounter an injured bird or witness a hunting illegality, BirdLife Malta can be reached on 2134 7645 or 7925 5697.’

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Malta Enterprise Launches ESG Reporting Support For SMEs

Sep 6 2023

A new ESG Grant by Malta Enterprise will support small and medium sized enterprises acquire the necessary advisory services to enhance their sustainability.

This new government scheme was announced by Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise Miriam Dalli and Malta Enterprise CEO Kurt Farrugia.

The grant will provide up to €5,000 over three years to small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) for advisory services to support them in ESG reporting. The list of businesses that are eligible for this scheme is wide-ranging, from smaller enterprises that employ up to five full-time employees to medium-sized companies employing up to 250 full timers, or their equivalent.

Minister Miriam Dalli noted that this new grant is implementing another of the government’s forward-looking electoral pledges, as well as an important Budget 2023 measure, reaffirming the government’s commitment to transition the economy towards climate neutrality by 2050.

“Since we first introduced the concept of ESG reporting in Malta, we always believed that this would help enterprises and our communities in becoming more efficient, decarbonised, sustainable and socially just. Through initiatives like these, every enterprise, regardless of its size, has access to the necessary resources needed to continue advancing toward a sustainable economy, attracting investments, and expanding its operations,” Minister Miriam Dalli said.

“Within a short time, businesses that are already reporting their results through the ESG Portal registered an eight percent decrease in their carbon dioxide emissions and generated nine percent less waste. They also reported an increase of seven percent of women in managerial roles, and 13 percent more independent directors on boards,” the Minister added.

Malta Enterprise CEO Kurt Farrugia stated that, “As Malta Enterprise, our mission has always been to assist companies in developing their business as we navigate changing market trends and economic developments. In recent years, Malta Enterprise has continuously understood the rising need for sustainability efforts within the business community and has taken action to incorporate this requirement in the diverse schemes it offers. This measure will instigate more environmental consciousness amongst our businesses while pushing for proper internal structures of management and more representative workplaces, where employees are valued for their contributions.”

Through the new scheme, beneficiary companies will be eligible for a cash grant of €3,000, capped at 75% of the costs associated with engaging an advisor to assist with ESG reporting. They will also have the option to receive additional aid in the subsequent two years, with an additional €1,000 cash grant available in both Year 2 and Year 3.

Malta Enterprise seeks to integrate sustainable practices in its support and investment programmes. In fact, the recently revamped Skills Development Scheme also includes new provisions to help enterprises provide ESG training to employees.

Companies interested in finding out more about this scheme and other Malta Enterprise initiatives can visit maltaenterprise.com or contact Business First on 144.

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Launch Of The EUNIC Malta Film Festival 2023

Sep 6 2023

Eleven members and partners of the EUNIC Malta cluster are participating in the event including the embassies of Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain, as well as the Alliance Française, Arts Council Malta, the British Council, the European Commission Representation, and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura. Ten screenings over seven days will be held on the theme of Europride Valletta 2023, “Equality from the Heart” at Spazju Kreattiv in Valletta.

Speaking at the launch, Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici stated that this year’s festival, through this collaboration, is bringing together the arts and equality, symbolising a society where people cherish each other, regardless of their personal choices. “Malta’s mission is to contribute towards the Sustainable Development Goals and to reflect and give value to the diversity of European cultures and common values through joint European events and projects, whilst continuing to increase accessibility within the culture and creative sector,” he continued.

EUNIC is the European network of cultural institutes and embassies engaging in cultural relations, bringing to life cultural collaborations in more than 100 countries worldwide with a network of 136 clusters.

Parliamentary Secretary for Reform and Equality Rebecca Buttigieg said that this festival will help foster conversations that challenge stereotypes and amplify marginalized voices and surely will help promote solidarity and acceptance. “We stand with the LGBTIQ+ community, affirming the importance of their stories and voices. This will help embrace diversity and unity through the power of storytelling,” she added.

Addressing the event, Mr Christopher Cutajar, Permanent Secretary Ministry for Foreign Affairs said that “Cultural diplomacy is a critical tool for fostering international understanding and promoting gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. Cultural dialogue helps in the process of integration, which is imperative in our diverse but inclusive way of life. It is a step in the right direction towards achieving active citizenship, where people from all backgrounds and cultures can contribute to our societies on an equal footing’’.

On behalf of Arts Council Malta, Dr Romina Delia, Internationalisation Executive, stated that “Over the years, numerous industry studies, academic research projects, journalistic accounts and worker testimonies worldwide have indicated the prevalence of inequality, discrimination, exploitation, and exclusion in the cultural and creative industries. What this year’s EUNIC Film Festival aims to do at Spazju Kreattiv’s cinema, through its collaboration with EUROPRIDE, is to provide a platform for voices which are often silenced or unheard of; voices which offer an insight into the colourful, diverse, and beautiful world that we live in’’.

For more information visit Arts Council Malta (gov.mt) and Spazju Kreattiv – Malta’s Centre for Creativity, Valletta (kreattivita.org).

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