Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542981
7 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 FEBRUARY 2026 COMMERCIAL Zero waste HoReCa – Seed Funding Competition Awards 2025 officially presented in Birgu THE Zero Waste HoReCa – Seed Funding Competition Awards 2025 have been officially pre- sented, celebrating outstanding efforts to promote sustainable practices within Malta's tourism sector. The competition, organised by AKTI Project and Research Centre with the support of The Coca-Cola Foundation and GSD, aims to encourage the sustaina- ble operation of businesses with- in the Hospitality, Restaurants and Catering (HoReCa) industry. The awards ceremony took place on 22 January 2026 in Bir- gu, a key partner for this phase of the project. A total seed fund of €10,000 was shared among 15 small tourism enterprises and NGOs, recognised for their pro- posals introducing best practices and infrastructure improvements to enhance sustainability within their operations. The competition forms part of the wider Zero Waste HoReCa programme, implemented by AKTI Project and Research Cen- tre with the support of The Co- ca-Cola Foundation. This year's winners stood out among the programme's 225 active network members, reflecting the initia- tive's mission to drive the green transition of Malta's tourism in- dustry towards a more sustaina- ble future. Environmental responsibility, sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility were the key criteria distinguishing the award- ed proposals. The Zero Waste HoReCa pro- gramme aims to strengthen sus- tainability and economic em- powerment within the HoReCa sector by providing businesses with tools and guidance to: • reduce and recycle waste, • conserve water and energy, • and procure supplies sus- tainably. • Through these actions, participating businesses re- duce their environmental footprint and operational costs, enhance economic resilience, and support the creation of new employ- ment opportunities. Now in its third consecutive year, the programme continues to grow steadily, with HoReCa businesses increasingly adopting sustainable practices that deliver measurable environmental and economic benefits. With more than 225 active members, the Zero Waste HoReCa Network represents the first initiative of its kind in Malta, supported sci- entifically by AKTI Project and Research Centre. During the ceremony, Birgu was officially declared a Sustainable Tourism Community, marking an important milestone under the Zero Waste HoReCa pro- ject and reinforcing the locality's commitment to sustainability. The event was organised within the framework of the Zero Waste HoReCa project, implemented by AKTI Project and Research Cen- tre with the support of The Co- ca-Cola Foundation. For more information about the Zero Waste HoReCa pro- gramme, please visit Net Zero HoReCa - GSD - THE GENER- AL SOFT DRINKS CO.LTD & https://www.akti.org.cy/pro- jects_research/zero-waste-hore- ca-in-cyprus-and-malta/ About AKTI Project and Re- search Centre AKTI Project and Research Centre is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation based in Nicosia, Cyprus. Established in 2000, AKTI works to raise envi- ronmental awareness and pro- mote sustainable development through applied environmental research, education and vo- cational training, coastal and marine management, public outreach, and advocacy. About The Coca-Cola Founda- tion The mission of The Coca-Co- la Foundation is to make a dif- ference in communities world- wide where The Coca-Cola Company operates and where its people live and work. The Foundation supports innova- tive initiatives addressing glob- al challenges with a measurable and lasting impact, focusing on access to safe water, climate resilience, circular economy, economic empowerment, dis- aster preparedness, and com- munity development. Since its establishment in 1984, The Co- ca-Cola Foundation has award- ed over US$1.5 billion in grants worldwide. IZI Finance plc announces record interim results for July-December 2025 IZI Finance plc, the finance arm of IZIGROUP, today announced strong interim results for the six- month period ended 31st Decem- ber 2025, reporting remarkable growth across all its revenue-gen- erating business verticals. The performance reflects the Group's disciplined financial strategy, op- erational resilience, and the con- tinued strengthening of its core gaming activities. During the period under review, the Group delivered sustained momentum across its diversified portfolio, underpinned by stable cash flows, prudent cost management, and continued focus on long-term value creation for stakeholders. The positive results further evi- dence the Group's balance sheet strength and its ability to execute on strategic priorities. The Group generated turnover of €561 mil- lion, up 25% year-over-year, while Player Winnings increased by €104 million when compared to the same period last year. This ac- tivity resulted in record Gaming Revenues of €53.9 million, reflect- ing an increase of €8.6 million (an improvement of 19% over the same period of the previous financial year). The Group also reported remarkable growth in profitability, ending the 6-month period with an EBITDA of €18.1 million, an increase of 35% when compared to the same period of the previous financial year. Net profit before tax reached €6.9 million, an improvement of €4.2 million, equal to an increase of 156% when compared to the €2.7 million NPBT achieved in the same period of the prior year. The Group is expected to surpass the FY2026 financial objectives, with projected turnover set to exceed the €1 billion mark as Gross Gam- ing Revenues are expected to top the €100 million milestone. These results underpin and support the Group's international expansion strategy, reinforcing the ration- ale previously communicated to the market on January 19, 2026, wherein the Board of Directors of IZI Finance plc announced that it is actively seeking to return to the market with a second issuance of bonds on the Official List of the Malta Stock Exchange. Subject to the necessary regulatory approv- als being obtained, the proceeds of the proposed €30 million bond issue would go towards support- ing the next phase of IZIGROUP's growth strategy via international expansion, building on the strong foundations established in recent years. The Group announced that it has already identified sev- eral feasible and well-advanced international growth opportuni- ties, and this issuance would be designed to provide the financial latitude required to pursue them in a disciplined and sustainable manner. Commenting on the out- look, the Board remains confident that the Group is well positioned to build on its current momentum and pursue sustainable growth in the medium to long term. The Board also highlighted that the Group will be leveraging its prov- en operational expertise, regula- tory experience and management of large-scale, concession-based gaming environments, with a view to exporting its successful operat- ing model to international gaming markets.