Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1371271
4 NEWS 13.5.2021 JCI Malta and MECP launch SeedGreen Climate Fund FinanceMalta triggers discussion on financial services JCI Malta, together with the Ministry for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning (MECP), supported by Malta Enterprise, has launched a vali- dator and accelerator programme titled SeedGreen as part of the MECP's na- tional #ClimateOn campaign. is five-month initiative is an equi- ty-free mentor-driven validator and ac- celerator programme that is looking for start-up participants who can execute a proof-of-concept project based on an early-stage prototype. Clayton Axisa, JCI La Valette Local President, explained how the initia- tive came about: "Earlier this year, we teamed up with the MECP to bring to Malta a new seed fund for young enter- prising leaders who want to start their very own carbon neutral business. To- day, together with the Ministry, we are launching this new initiative." e goal of the initiative is to support scalable low-carbon start-ups that will help achieve the move towards climate neutrality and that require funds to ac- complish their idea. e programme will offer support in the form of tutoring and mentoring, which will then be put into practice dur- ing the pre-seed round, where partici- pants will apply all the lessons learned from tutors and mentors to reach the commercial milestones. JCI Malta President, Nicole Borg said, "I am truly honoured that JCI Malta, to- gether with Local Organisation JCI La Valette, is delivering on its 2021 prom- ise to create true leaders for change. How better to deliver on such a promise than to create a programme that equips young people to think of businesses that respect future generations and who want to do something about it?" MECP is offering the top three solu- tions a pre-seed investment of €12,000, €10,000 and €8,000, respectively, to turn green ideas into tangible solu- tions. If eligible, the runners up of the pro- gramme will get the possibility to par- ticipate in next year's JCI Creative Young Entrepreneur international competition offered by JCI Malta, and continue implementing their ventures further within a voluntary setting with either JCI La Valette, JCI Wignacourt or JCI De Rohan. Visit the site https://www.seedgreen. org/ for the guidelines and to apply for the initiative. FINANCEMALTA is holding a series of podcasts, aimed at triggering a discus- sion about topical aspects of the world of financial services. In 'e FinTalks: a chat with FinanceMalta – Members edi- tion' the members of the Foundation will be sharing their views and ambitions for the sector. Rudolph Psaila, FinanceMalta's Chair- man, commented: "e 'FinTalks – Members Edition' is another initiative organised by FinanceMalta for its mem- bers to showcase their endeavours. In line with our strategy, we are provid- ing not only further visibility to our members, but also thought leadership content on a number of topics related to financial services, a sector which is significantly contributing to the island's economy" In the latest episode of 'FinTalks', pub- lished today, listeners will meet Carme- lo Romano from FinXP, an electronic money institution which enables its customers to quickly and easily make and receive payments. In upcoming epi- sodes, 'FinTalks' will meet Jonathan Vas- sallo from Dixcart Management Malta Limited, a corporate service provider which specialises, among others, in the incorporation and management of com- panies, fund administration, trust and fiduciary services. 'FinTalks' has already caught up with a number of leaders from the financial services sector, among whom, Dr Geral- dine Spiteri Lucas from the Malta Busi- ness Registry, Dr Andre' Zerafa from the Malta Asset Servicing Association, Kenneth Farrugia, Alexander Mangion and Consuelo Marzi from the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit, Ian Meli from the MFSA, Stephen McCarthy from the Malta Digital Innovation Authority as well as Cain Grech from Malta Enter- prise. All editions of 'e FinTalks', both in audio and video formats, are accessible through the link https://financemalta. org/podcasts/ and are available on Fi- nanceMalta's official YouTube channel as well as on all leading podcast platforms. 'FinTalks' is a series of podcasts pro- duced by FinanceMalta, presented by Angele Spiteri Paris and Rachel Attard. Carmelo Romano from FinXP, and Jonathan Vassallo from Dixcart Management Malta Limited, share their views on 'FinTalks – Members Edition'