HSBC and the Foundation for Environmental Education have renewed their commitment to the EkoSkola programme with another grant of $30,000.

The grant is part of a global programme, the HSBC Eco-Schools Climate Initiative, backed by a financial commitment from the bank of $2.5 million over three years. The aim of the initiative is to teach five- to 18-year-olds about protecting the environment through the FEE’s Eco-Schools International Programme.

This is the second year the EkoSkola Malta project proposal was selected by HSBC to benefit from the grant, along with another 17 countries. Ten primary and secondary schools in Malta and Gozo will receive funds for their projects to raise awareness on climate change in their school and the community.

The 10 schools are Gozo College, Xewkija Primary; Maria Regina College – Sta Venera Primary; St Benedict College – Safi Primary; St Benedict College – Żurrieq Primary; St Francis School – Sliema; St Ġorġ Preca College – Floriana Primary; St Ġorġ Preca College – Paola Primary A; St Joseph School – Blata l-Bajda; St Margaret College – Girls’ Secondary Cospicua and St Margaret College – Kalkara Primary.

Fourteen participating schools took part in a national Eco-Code Competition with suggested tips on how to reduce climate change. Kelly-Marie Zammit Gauci from St Francis School Birkirkara won the Primary Section and Leanne Coleiro from St Joseph, Mater Boni Consilii School, Paola won the Secondary Section. Both winners participated in the international Eco-Code Competition and Ms Coleiro placed second (from among 10 participants) in the Youth category.

On presenting Ms Coleiro a financial reward for the school, HSBC Malta CEO Alan Richards noted that climate change was widely acknowledged to be the most significant challenge the world was facing. It was, therefore, important children were equipped with the knowledge to understand the challenges and to make informed decisions about climate change.

Resources and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino acknowledged that the best promoters of environment friendly measures were ­children.

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