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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 3 NOVEMBER 2024 6 COMMERCIAL Lead the change: enter the Zero Waste Horeca Seed Fund Competition today SOMETIMES, trying to reduce your carbon footprint and going greener can feel like a losing battle. It's easy to think, 'I'm just one per- son — what difference can I really make?'. But we soldier on as we know that real change is the sum of all our parts, all our individual efforts combined. And that's pre- cisely what the Zero Waste Ho- ReCa Seed Fund Competition is all about. It's giving businesses a platform — a chance to unite their teams and implement eco-friendly solutions to help drive meaning- ful, large scale change. What is the Zero Waste HoReCa Program? The Zero Waste HoReCa pro- gram, led by AKTI Project and Research Centre and Funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation, pro- motes sustainability in the HoRe- Ca sector by offering resources, training, and support to business- es looking to minimize their envi- ronmental footprint. It focuses on reducing waste, conserving water, and lowering carbon emissions, helping companies become more eco-friendly while improving effi- ciency. How it works! The Zero Waste HoReCa Seed Fund Competition is an exciting opportunity for businesses in the HoReCa sector (Hotels, Restau- rants and Catering) to make a real difference. Led by AKTI Project and Research Centre, this initi- ative is encouraging businesses to get creative and submit their eco-friendly ideas. Twenty of the best ideas submitted will receive €500 in seed funding to help im- plement them. Whether that's reducing waste, conserving wa- ter, or cutting carbon emissions, businesses will also receive expert guidance to help implement their sustainability projects, so they won't be left high and dry. It's a win-win—businesses get support, and together, we make Malta greener! Ready to Make a Difference? Don't miss your chance to lead the charge towards a greener Mal- ta! Submit your project idea to the Zero Waste HoReCa Seed Fund Competition, and get the support you need to turn your vision into reality. To submit your ideas kind- ly send an email to project@akti. org.cy and start driving change today! BOV branches undergo several service enhancements BANK of Valletta has been upgrad- ing the customer experience and the services offered throughout its branch network while piloting new services in some branches in anticipation of further enhancements expected over the next few months. Enhancements include the consolidation of branches into regions for a more tailored focus on geographic service needs, the pairing of branches into main and satellite outlets to offer specialised services, priority cash ser- vices to assist the elderly, as well as up- graded queuing systems to ensure better flow of customers within branches. Other planned changes are being pilot- ed and include different opening hours for selected branches during the week, based on customer preferences. These changes will be piloted from Monday 4th November from the Branches in Gżira, Ibraġ, Msida, San Ġwann, Sliema, Val- letta and Gozo Area. Following an ap- proximate six-week period, the Bank will analyse the traction of this pilot, includ- ing obtaining feedback from customers and reviewing data from transaction vol- umes. The enhanced service offering is planned to be offered permanently from all locations at the beginning of the com- ing year. Regional Service With 32 Branches across Malta and Gozo, BOV remains the most physically present Bank in the Maltese communi- ty. To better serve customers and offer a more personalised service, branches have been divided into two categories (main and satellite) and spread across 4 regions encompassing the North, South, Central East, and Central West, with Gozo also considered as a separate re- gion district. Main outlets will offer full banking services and will also feature longer hours on Tuesdays and Thurs- days, also remaining open on Saturdays. Satellite branches will offer fewer spe- cialised services and will be operating from Monday to Friday. A full list of branches, including opening hours, can be found at https://www.bov.com/find- us. Cashiering Service The Bank will retain Priority Cash Service for the elderly, which was intro- duced in June 2022. The service is part of the Bank's strategy to continue im- proving the customer experience in its branch network. The fast-track days are now available every Friday and Satur- day from 08:15 to 09:30 from the Main Branches and every Friday during the same time from the Satellite Branches. Cashiering services will be offered from both Main and Satellite Branches and will be available daily until 11:00. From "Luzzi" to Door Knockers: young artists celebrate Malta's heritage in Frank Salt Real Estate competition IN the imagination of Malta's children and teens, the essence of Maltese heritage comes alive through the iconic luzzu boats gliding across the sea, the intricate designs of traditional balconies and the charm of winding alleys lined with historic facades. Even the Azure Window in Gozo, though no longer standing, continues to inspire awe and admiration, capturing the spirit of a beloved past. This was clearly visible in the entries submitted for Frank Salt Re- al Estate's art competition, which this year chose Maltese heritage as its central theme. Children between the ages of 5 and 19 were invited to express their interpreta- tions of what makes Malta unique, re- sulting in an impressive collection of over 400 entries submitted during the summer months. The top entries from each cate- gory received cash prizes and certificates, recognising the incredible talent displayed by these young artists. The presentation ceremony took place last week, where the winners were celebrated for their creativity and dedication. Now in its second year, the Frank Salt Re- al Estate Art Competition not only show- cases the artistic abilities of young Maltese but also promotes a deeper appreciation for the environment and Malta's rich her- itage. Each year, the competition focuses on a different theme, encouraging partici- pants to explore and express their unique perspectives on what makes Malta special. Frank Salt Real Estate remains dedicated to inspiring the next generation of artists and fostering a love for the arts while celebrat- ing the beauty of our surroundings.