PRESS RELEASE: Financial Journalism Excellence Programme wins Sustainable Financial Literacy Award 

JA Malta recognition highlights the vital role of financial journalism in strengthening financial literacy, informed decision-making and public accountability

Malta, 15 October 2026 – The Financial Journalism Excellence Programme (FJEP), an initiative developed by Market Accents, has won the Sustainable Financial Literacy Award at the Financial Capability Awards 2026, organised by JA Malta Foundation.

The award was presented by the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) at a ceremony held on 15 October at the Corinthia Hotel, San Gorg. The awards recognise initiatives contributing to financial education, inclusion and financial capability in Malta.

Market Accents receiving the FIAU Sustainable Financial Literacy Award at the Malta Financial Capability Awards 2026. From left, Matthew Caruana, CEO at JA Malta, Noreen Burroughes Cesareo MBE, Principal at Market Accents and Catherine Zammit, Communications & PR Manager at Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU)

The award highlights an important but often overlooked part of the financial literacy ecosystem: the role of financial journalism and communicators in helping the public understand money, financial information, recognise risks, question claims and make informed decisions that affect their financial wellbeing.

Created and directed by Noreen Burroughes Cesareo MBE, Principal of Market Accents, with international financial journalist Tom Burroughes as lead journalist, the inaugural Financial Journalism Excellence Programme took place at the University of Malta on 27–28 August 2026.  It was developed specifically for Malta and brought together journalists and media professionals with representatives from financial services, regulation, financial intelligence, academia and business.

While many financial literacy initiatives focus on educating consumers directly, FJEP invests in those who shape public understanding through news, digital media and public debate. invests in those who shape public understanding through news, digital media and public debate. Its relevance is underscored by the OECD/INFE 2023 International Survey of Adult Financial Literacy, which found that only 46% of adults surveyed in Malta met the minimum financial knowledge target, compared with 58% across participating OECD countries.

FJEP was built around the principle “Newsroom – Not Classroom”.  The two-day programme combined practical masterclasses, expert discussions, investigative techniques, consumer finance reporting, digital journalism, AI and collaborative editorial exercises.  Participants worked with real-world financial information, explored how to challenge corporate and regulatory announcements, and examined the importance of evidence, context, verification and the right of reply. The programme culminated in an Expert Newsroom Clinic, focused on planning coverage of Malta’s forthcoming Budget. A purpose-built Financial Journalism Toolkit provided practical frameworks and resources for continued professional use, while successful completion carried 10 CPD hours.

Commenting on the award, Noreen Burroughes Cesareo MBE, Programme Director, said:

“Financial literacy is not only about what people are taught directly. It is also shaped by the information they encounter every day, the questions asked on their behalf and how financial decisions and developments are explained to them.

“We created the Financial Journalism Excellence Programme because journalists and communicators play an important role in making complex financial information understandable, but also in scrutinising claims, challenging assumptions and holding institutions and decision-makers to account.

“Receiving this award is particularly meaningful because it recognises the importance of investing in those who communicate financial information as part of the wider effort to strengthen financial literacy. Our ambition from the outset was to create something that would extend beyond two days of training and contribute to stronger financial journalism and public understanding in Malta.”

Tom Burroughes, Group Editor of the WealthBriefing group of newswires, based in London, and Lead Journalist for the programme, added:

“Good financial journalism requires more than reporting figures or repeating what institutions say. Journalists need to know where to look, which questions to ask, how to test the evidence and when to challenge the information put before them.

“The programme gave participants the opportunity to apply these skills to real financial stories and engage directly with people working across the financial sector. Whether reporting on savings, pensions, investments or public finances, well-researched journalism helps people understand the issues and make better-informed choices. Strengthening financial journalism is therefore also an investment in financial literacy.”

The inaugural programme brought together 25 participants,  including 10 media representatives, in a deliberately focused setting that encouraged open discussion and professional exchange. It was very well received, with positive participant feedback highlighting the practical approach, relevance of the topics and opportunities to engage directly with journalists and professionals from across the financial sector.

The initiative benefited from collaboration and support from organisations across financial services, regulation, academia, professional development and the media, including the University of Malta, Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU), Bank of Valletta, APS Bank, Malta Association of Risk Management (MARM), VisitMalta, WealthBriefing and Corporate ID Group.

Professional connections established during the programme have continued through a dedicated participant network, supporting its objective of encouraging dialogue and knowledge-sharing beyond the event itself. The award provides further encouragement to build on the inaugural initiative and develop opportunities that strengthen financial journalism and its contribution to financial literacy, transparency and informed public debate in Malta.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About the Financial Journalism Excellence Programme

The Financial Journalism Excellence Programme is a Malta-focused professional development initiative developed by London-based advisory Market Accents to strengthen financial journalism and its contribution to financial literacy. Its practical “Newsroom – Not Classroom” approach brings together journalism, financial services, regulation and academia to develop investigative, analytical and editorial capabilities.  The inaugural programme was held at the University of Malta on 27–28 August 2026 and offered 10 CPD hours for successful completion.

 

About the Financial Capability Awards

Organised by JA Malta Foundation, the annual Financial Capability Awards recognise contributions to financial literacy, education and inclusion, including initiatives addressing sustainable financial literacy, entrepreneurship education and the gender gap.

Further information: https://jamalta.org/fincap-awards/

 

About Market Accents

Market Accents is a strategy, market development and communications consultancy founded by Noreen Burroughes Cesareo MBE. Its work includes communications and business strategy, international market development, stakeholder engagement and professional capacity-building.

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Market Accents
Noreen Burroughes Cesareo MBE

Programme Director, Financial Journalism Excellence Programme

Principal, Market Accents

Different Experiences, Shared Red Flags: Why Listening to Young People Matters

Different Experiences, Shared Red Flags: Why Listening to Young People Matters

A blog by Noreen Burroughes:

On 16 October, I had the privilege of spending time with a rather different audience from the one I usually engage with — a much younger generation, with their own experiences, perspectives and concerns.

I was part of the organising team for the National Council of Women Malta’s first youth conference on domestic violence and healthy relationships, where I also moderated one of the sessions.

It was a rewarding experience, and one that reminded me just how much we can learn when we create opportunities not only to speak to young people, but, more importantly, to listen to them.

The conference was an important initiative in its own right. But for me, it also reinforced something that goes well beyond the subject of domestic violence: the importance of genuinely engaging with young people, listening to their concerns, respecting their perspectives and recognising that their experiences are not necessarily ours.

The conference benefited from support at the highest institutional levels, including a video message from Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, and contributions from the Hon. Minister Rosianne Cutajar and Samantha Pace Gasan, Commissioner on Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence. The conference was funded by the Commission on Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence through its Together We Empower programme. This institutional commitment was particularly welcome, reinforcing the importance of prevention, early awareness and engaging young people directly in conversations that affect their lives.

Equally important was the participation and support of organisations and agencies working across youth engagement, safeguarding, equality and support for those affected by violence and abuse. My thanks to Malta Girl Guides, Dar Hosea, the Malta Police Force, Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) and the Victim Support Agency for their involvement and commitment.

Their presence provided an important link between awareness and practical support, helping young participants understand where they can seek advice, report concerns or find help for themselves or someone they know. It also offered an opportunity for direct engagement with organisations whose work can make a real difference.

Recognising the red flags is important, but knowing where to turn for help — and feeling confident enough to seek it — is equally essential.

We need to listen, not simply tell

As adults, we naturally draw on our own experiences when offering advice, guidance or support. But we must be careful not to assume that the world in which we grew up, formed relationships and navigated challenges is the same world that young people experience today.

It isn’t. The ways in which young people communicate, build relationships, express themselves and experience social pressures have evolved. Digital platforms, social media, constant connectivity and changing social expectations have introduced dimensions to relationships that many of us did not encounter in our formative years.

We cannot simply impose the lessons of our own experiences without first understanding theirs.

That does not mean our experience has no value. Quite the opposite. It means finding ways to make that experience relevant, creating space for dialogue rather than delivering instructions, and recognising that young people have their own insights, concerns and solutions to contribute. And yet, amid all these changes, some things remain remarkably constant.

The red flags of unhealthy and abusive relationships — controlling behaviour, manipulation, intimidation, isolation, disrespect and coercion — may manifest themselves differently across generations, but the underlying warning signs remain.

What has changed is often the context in which they appear, how they are experienced, and sometimes how difficult they can be to recognise. This is why awareness matters. But awareness alone is not enough. We need to equip young people to recognise these warning signs, to question behaviours that may have become normalised, to understand what healthy relationships look like, and to know where they can turn for support. Just as importantly, we need to give them the confidence to speak, to challenge and to contribute to changing attitudes among their peers.

From listening to participation

One of the most rewarding aspects of Friday’s conference was seeing young people engage in the discussions and workshops, express their views and put forward their own ideas for change.

The workshops were designed to go beyond discussion, encouraging participants to identify practical actions, develop messages for their peers and make recommendations for schools, youth organisations and the wider community.

This is an important distinction. Meaningful youth engagement is not simply about inviting young people into a room, asking for their opinions and then returning to business as usual.

It is about giving their voices genuine weight, respecting their contributions and being prepared to listen to what they tell us — including when it challenges our own assumptions.

And it is about recognising that young people are not simply the beneficiaries of initiatives designed by adults. They can and should be active contributors to the solutions.

I was pleased to contribute to shaping this initiative alongside the National Council of Women Malta, from developing the programme and its identity to working with speakers and contributors and moderating the fireside conversation with systemic family psychotherapist Maria Chircop.

My congratulations to the NCW leadership, organising team, speakers, facilitators, participating schools and organisations, and everyone who helped bring the conference to life.

Above all, I hope this will be a starting point rather than a one-off event, and that the ideas generated by the young participants will help inform what comes next.

Because if we want young people to recognise the red flags, build healthier relationships and become advocates for positive change, we must first be willing to understand the world through their eyes.

The question is not simply whether we are prepared to listen to young people, but whether we are prepared to let what they tell us influence what we do next.

#YouthEngagement #HealthyRelationships #DomesticViolenceAwareness #YouthVoices #NationalCouncilOfWomenMalta

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