Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1125715
17 COMMERCIAL maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 5 JUNE 2019 A project launched in March by Eco Market Malta on the local crowdfunding platform ZAAR has been a huge success, with the NGO holding its first event last weekend at the Gaia Foun- dation, Għajn Tuffieħa. Born two years ago, the aim of the project was to raise €8,000. Not only was this target reached but it was also surpassed thanks to the contribution of 135 indi- viduals. "Part of what made the crowd- funding campaign a success is the fact that there was a net- work of people in place prior to its launch," said the founder and main organiser Zen D'Amato Gautam. "We got great advice from the team at ZAAR Crowd- funding and were able to capi- talise on the campaign. "We learnt that, first, it is es- sential to have a clear vision of what you want to do and make it worthwhile – a project that provides benefits not just for yourself but for many others. Then you can use your network, and theirs, to spread your mes- sage and reach a wider audi- ence," she added. These people included several organisations, NGOs, social en- terprises and VOs who shared the same vision. Eco Market Malta is a team of creative minds with a love for nature, the environment and well-being of the planet in com- mon, whose aim is to work with responsible businesses, change- makers and innovators. Working hand in hand with D'Amato Gautam are project manager Marta Kurzynska, who is Polish and has been living in Malta for the past six years, mar- ket manager Tamsin Caruana, an eco artist with a combined passion for art and safeguarding the natural environment, and consultant Majbritt Kristensen, who has worked on circular economic projects, including the World Economic Forum in Davos and the one-million-tree rehabilitation project in Malta. "We all have a huge power to make our home a better place – and right now we have the responsibility to heal it, because without a healthy planet, noth- ing else matters," they said. As a result, Eco Market Malta aims to help a smooth transi- tion to a more sustainable life- style. "The way forward in re- ducing our negative impact on the environment is to become conscious of our daily habits, particularly what we buy and what we throw away," D'Amato Gautam says. The Eco Market will now be held every month in differ- ent locations across Malta and Gozo, and will consist of a num- ber of vendors with fresh, or- ganic produce, natural food and snacks, ethical fashion, toys, housewares, natural and non- toxic personal care products, arts and crafts and innovative technologies. The monthly events will also host info booths, talks, work- shops and other activities offer- ing new insights and providing education and awareness. There will also be social gatherings, music, art and entertainment. The second Eco Market Malta will be held on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 June from noon to 7pm at the Independence Gar- dens in Sliema. Entrance is free of charge. Following this, a third event will be held on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July at Fort St Elmo, Valletta. For more infor- mation, visit www.ecomarket- malta.com or www.facebook. com/ecomarketmalta. A successful first Eco Market AX The Palace supported this year's Ar- tisans Innovating Fashion Conference which was organised by The Chamber of Fashion Malta Foundation in May. The foundation is a voluntary organi- sation working to support Malta based fashion and textile designers, students, teachers and artisans in the fashion community. The purpose of this conference was to encourage artisans to design their handmade products to appeal to global fashion buyers. The gathering together of the artisan community has strengthened collabo- ration between creative people. The three foreign lectures gave inspirational talks about what is happening in their different countries to support tradition- al crafts. AX The Palace is foremost in encour- aging these events organised by The Chamber of Fashion, being beneficial to the community and to education and culture in fashion. To this end AX hosted a welcome par- ty at Lounge 360, which is the rooftop lounge at AX The Place, for the visiting lecturers. Kevin Callus, General Manager of AX The Palace said that supporting creativ- ity nowadays was about understanding how to nurture and enable sparks of ideas to be developed. "At times we only see the final prod- uct and we fail to see the deeper story of how these innovations emerge," he said. "No doubt, we shouldn't underesti- mate the need to invest the time and money it takes to ensure the great artists of the future. AX The Palace is proud to support these types of initiatives." AX The Palace supports creativity Team of creatives plan transition to more sustainable lifestyle with series of monthly events, following successful campaign on crowdfunding platform ZAAR