Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544871
6 COMMERCIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 MAY 2026 Atlas insurance expands collaboration with Nature Trust to support education for sustainable development in schools ATLAS Insurance is strengthen- ing its collaboration with Nature Trust - FEE Malta through an expanded initiative supporting three internationally recognised education programmes that em- power young people to take the lead on sustainability. Through the Atlas Community Involvement Fund, the initiative supports FEE programmes in schools across Malta and Gozo, including EkoSkola, Young Re- porters for the Environment (YRE) and LEAF (Learning about Ecosystems and Forests). Within these programmes, students take the lead in identifying priorities, implementing initiatives and evaluating their impact, engag- ing with sustainability through practical, hands-on learning and innovations which the stu- dents themselves also come up with. Atlas contributes through ongoing funding, direct partic- ipation in school activities, and involvement in key stages such as school visits and Green Flag assessments, supporting both the delivery and development of these initiatives. This engagement is further sup- ported through Atlas' commu- nication platforms and involve- ment in related events, helping to bring greater visibility to the work carried out by participat- ing schools. One such occasion was the FEE Fest, where schools and collaborating entities came together to present sustainabil- ity projects through interactive stands. Held between 27 and 29 April at St Nicholas College, Wardija, the event provided a public platform for participating schools to share their work, with Atlas Insurance also taking part through an information stand highlighting its Community In- volvement Fund projects and broader sustainability initiatives. Catherine Calleja, Chair of the Atlas Insurance Community Involvement Fund Committee, who also visited FEE Fest, com- mented: "This collaboration reflects how the Atlas Commu- nity Involvement Fund supports initiatives aligned with the Unit- ed Nations Sustainable Devel- opment Goals, particularly in education and environmental awareness. Working with Na- ture Trust - FEE Malta, a partner across a number of projects, al- lows us to play a role in ensuring these programmes continue to grow within schools and com- munities. We also look forward to welcoming a group of stu- dents to our offices to carry out a sustainability audit, helping us identify practical ways to further reduce our overall carbon foot- print." Nature Trust – FEE Malta Pres- ident, Vincent Attard said "It is an honour that Atlas Insurance has become a corporate sponsor of the Education for Sustaina- ble Development programmes, Eco-Schools, known locally as EkoSkola, YRE and LEAF. This flagship initiative reaches 85% of all schools across the Maltese Is- lands. Nature Trust Malta great- ly appreciates Atlas's support in raising awareness of sustainable development among younger generations. This initiative is one of several projects support- ed through the Atlas Insurance Community Involvement Fund following its latest call for appli- cations, including the Water for Wildlife project also developed in partnership with Nature Trust Malta. Malta-Sicily stray dog rescue crowdfunds on Zaar A Zaar crowdfunding campaign is calling on Malta's dog-lovers to help fund a dedicated rescue vehi- cle that will give more stray dogs a second chance at life. Every few weeks, animal welfare volunteer Theresa travels from Malta to Sicily to rescue stray and abandoned dogs, returning with them to arrange their adoption into local homes. She has been running the missions for years using her personal car – which limits the number of dogs she can transport and the supplies she can carry on each trip. Launched by The Adopt a Stray Foundation and spearheaded by Hill's Pet Nutrition Malta, which already donates food supplies for the many dogs in Theresa's care, the crowdfunding campaign aims to raise €20,000 before it closes at the end of June. Both organisa- tions are calling on the Maltese public to help make Theresa's mission more sustainable. "Theresa has been doing this in her own time, in her own car, for years," says Isaac from VJ Sa- lomone. "We turned to crowd- funding because the mission has grown beyond what one person and one vehicle can manage. With a proper rescue vehicle, she can bring more dogs back to Malta per trip and keep the rescues running long term." The campaign's €20,000 fund- ing goal will cover the costs of a Volkswagen Transporter, which offers more space, better venti- lation and safer transport for the animals, as well as insurance and registration. Funds raised will al- so ensure an initial supply run of food, crates and blankets. Backers will receive a Hill's-branded thank-you gift such as a poop bag holder, food bowl or water bottle, depending on their donation amount. Supporters who pledge €100 or more will re- ceive a full Hill's PR pack, contain- ing a curated selection of Hill's Pet Nutrition products and branded goodies for pets. Back the campaign at zaar. com.mt/projects/sicily-strays/. MeDirect sponsors Spartacus TriSports Event in Gozo OTTERS Aquatic Sports Club, the organisers and promoters of Spartacus Gozo have announced that MeDirect have become the Official Banking Partner of the inaugural Spartacus Triple Sports Event taking place on 7 June 2026, in Marsalforn, Gozo, Malta. Spartacus was created and is be- ing run by Otters ASC to deliver a new set of dynamic events that together further enhance the Ot- ters Management strategy of de- livering and building inclusivity across all sports and capabilities in the Gozo and Malta communi- ties, and beyond. Spartacus offers competitors new locations for contender cate- gories and courses in which to test their endurance sports perfor- mance limits across disciplines of Hybrid Steel, Running and Open Water Sea Swimming. Entries are already underway and are invited across the athletic and swimming spectrums from Pro-Athletes, Semi-Pro, and Amateur. The or- ganisers, reflecting their grass- roots expertise in sports have also opened friendly competition opportunities for Beginners to get a taste of sport in the Gladiator's Arena or organised Running or Open Water Courses. MeDirect has chosen to sponsor Spartacus Gozo because the event format and its competitors align perfectly with the Bank's core values and objectives of giving people autonomy and confidence to pursue personal growth both financially and in life. Larissa Ciantar, Head of Person- al Banking explained the Bank's reasoning for sponsoring Spart- acus: "As a Maltese bank, MeDi- rect is challenging the status quo, offering access to daily and busi- ness banking and an unrivalled selection of investment products. Through our digital and physical network, we have set ourselves tough objectives to offer the fastest and best service possible. Equally, the Spartacus Organising Committee and the many com- petitors attracted to compete at Spartacus on land or sea, are set- ting themselves tough standards. This shared commitment to ex- cellence and innovation forms the foundation of this collaboration." Club Manager at Otters ASC and Event Director at Sparta- cus Gozo, Mark Camilleri said, "Spartacus is the realisation of a dream come true for Otters ASC as we strive to expand the sport- ing services that we offer to our communities in Gozo, in Malta and beyond to the internation- al visitors and tourists whom we attract to the Islands. Otters are well known and respected for our Championship winning expertise in the pool and in the Mediter- ranean Sea with Waterpolo and Swimming. With Spartacus we are rising up from the water onto the land to deliver new Running Challenges and our new Hybrid Steel Competitive format for En- durance Athletes who want to come to Marsalforn in Gozo to perform and compete outdoors and win glory alongside the beau- tiful Mediterranean Sea. Sparta- cus marks the beginning of a new era for sports in Gozo, in Malta, and beyond internationally. We are really excited to be welcoming so many competitors to Marsal- forn to enjoy our stunning blue water Bay, coastal racing routes, and all the Island has to offer to competitors, their partners, their families and friends."