In a bid to strengthen financial literacy among young people, the HSBC Malta Foundation and JA Malta Foundation have teamed up to launch a national hackathon targeting students aged 12 to 14.

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The event, held at St Clare’s College Pembroke as part of Global Money Week 2025, saw 22 teams from schools across Malta compete in a fast-paced challenge focused on real-life money management. Working through a “Teen Life Planner” scenario, participants had to build a personal budget, prioritise goals, and make financial decisions that mirrored everyday challenges faced by adults.

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The initiative forms part of HSBC Malta Foundation’s broader efforts to promote economic education from an early age—an increasingly important objective as younger generations navigate a rapidly evolving financial world.

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“This isn’t just about knowing how to count change,” said Matthew Caruana, CEO of JA Malta. “It’s about building critical thinking and decision-making skills that will serve these students for life.”

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Teams were guided through the exercise by representatives from HSBC and JA Malta, including Duncan Triganza and Petra Ellul Mercer, who kept the event dynamic while encouraging students to present their solutions with clarity and confidence.

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Newark School took first place, followed by St Augustine College and St Benedict College. Judges praised the top teams for their creativity, teamwork, and sound financial reasoning.

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According to Glenn Bugeja of HSBC Malta Foundation, events like these are key to shaping a financially resilient generation. “We want young people to grow up with the confidence and skills to manage their own finances responsibly. The enthusiasm we saw today proves the impact that practical education can have.”

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The hackathon aligns with this year’s Global Money Week theme—Protect your money, secure your future—and underscores how public-private partnerships can help bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world challenges.

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With teens already demonstrating sharp instincts and mature thinking under pressure, HSBC and JA Malta are betting that early investment in financial literacy will pay dividends well into the future.

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