The JA Centre of Excellence in Financial Capability and Entrepreneurship officially launched yesterday, marking a significant step forward in financial education and entrepreneurial skills development for Maltese educators and students. This initiative is a strategic collaboration between JA Malta, the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, and the HSBC Malta Foundation, and aligns seamlessly with Malta’s Educational Strategy 2024–2030, which emphasises wellbeing, equity, inclusion, growth, and empowerment.
The Centre’s mission is clear: to develop measurable and sustained skills in financial literacy and entrepreneurship among Malta’s educators and youth. By embedding these essential competencies across various subjects and educational levels, the initiative ensures a comprehensive education that prepares students for lifelong success.
Participating schools will receive extensive implementation support, including personalised professional development, innovative educational resources such as games and gamified learning tools, and access to a robust network of financial capability professionals and events. Schools that achieve significant milestones will earn formal recognition as Centres of Excellence, highlighting their commitment to educational innovation.
Educators involved in the programme have already reported improved personal financial management, increased confidence in teaching financial topics, reduced stress, and enhanced professional networks. For students, the benefits include the acquisition of critical financial and entrepreneurial skills, enabling them to make informed decisions, foster career readiness, and build resilience—skills essential for success in today’s rapidly evolving economy.
The wider economy stands to benefit significantly. Enhanced economic literacy, reduced inequality, boosted local entrepreneurship, and increased financial stability are among the expected long-term outcomes of this initiative. Furthermore, it contributes to Malta’s global competitiveness and supports job creation, reinforcing its strategic economic impact.
The pilot phase includes a diverse group of schools: St Catherine’s High School Primary, The Archbishop’s Seminary Secondary and Primary, St Clare’s College Secondary Pembroke, San Ġwann Primary, and St Joseph Mater Boni Consilii Primary. These pioneering institutions have already begun integrating financial education into their curricula, showcasing early and promising results.
Looking ahead, the Centre of Excellence invites more educators and schools to join the initiative. Upcoming events include the Financial Capability Awards 2025, the Financial Wellbeing Conference taking place on 15th October, and a series of professional development workshops aimed at expanding the reach and impact of financial education across Malta.
Together, we are building a financially capable, entrepreneurial generation—ready to face the future with confidence and competence.
About JA Malta
JA Malta, formerly Young Enterprise, is a non-profit organisation and a member nation of Junior Achievement (JA) Worldwide representing a global network of non-profit organisations sharing a common mission and purpose to be leaders in the field of enterprise education. JA Malta aims to spur economic development through improving young people’s understanding of business, financial literacy, employability and entrepreneurship. JA Worldwide was listed as no.4 most impactful NGO in the world, the highest ranked NGO active in Malta, and nominated for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, for the 4th consecutive time.
JA delivers hands-on, immersive learning experiences in work readiness, financial capability, entrepreneurship, sustainability, STEM, economics, and more. JA Worldwide is one of few organisations with the scale, experience, and passion to build a brighter future for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders.
JA inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy through experiential learning programmes in entrepreneurship, financial literacy and work readiness.
