For many NGOs around the world, COVID-19 has caused two major problems: social distancing preventing organisations from carrying out their missions and a drastic lack of funding.

In tomorrow’s episode of The Boardroom, airing live on WhosWho.mt’s Facebook page tomorrow at 11am, presenter and business-writer Jo Caruana will discuss with three guests the challenges and opportunities brought about by COVID for the NGO sector locally.

Claire Galea, a Corporate Fundraising manager at Inspire, will be taking part in tomorrow’s episode. She has been working in the field of marketing for years and has now been lending her skills to Inspire to support them in their fundraising initiatives.

Inspire, an NGO assisting persons with disabilities and their families, projects that it will lose a quarter of its income this year – in the region of one €1 million.

In the meantime, the Foundation still has various important key projects that need to be funded – such as the system that heats the pool where so many hundreds of people come to exercise regularly for therapy purposes.

This pool is essential to many people with a disability, elderly people, and other people requiring therapy – without this therapy, they may become immobile and be crippled by pain and / or may need to resort to drugs to be able to cope with the pain.

Funds are therefore essential to keep the heart of our Foundation beating even during these times, stresses Claire.

Joining her will be Claudia Taylor East, CEO of SOS Malta, a voluntary organisation established in 1991. Claudia has been engaged in promoting volunteering in Malta and overseas, and occupied the post of Executive Chairman of the Malta Hospice Movement. Under her watch, the movement spearheaded the development of palliative care services in Malta.

She has led various voluntary missions to Albania, Kosovo, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Uganda offering humanitarian assistance during emergency phase contributing to the enhancement of Malta’s reputation in the field of international solidarity.

Her personal commitment to extensive community and philanthropic activities contributes and creates partnerships that underlie a truly civil society.

Lastly, Lisa Villette, a board member at the Foodbank Lifeline Foundation will be the final guest in tomorrow’s show. She joined the NGO around one year ago as a volunteer, and did not hesitate when asked to join the board.

She has a background in recruitment and hospitality, which lends itself well to the work she is involved in.

During COVID her role has seen her work hands on in organising the packing and distribution of food boxes to over 700 families in need. She worked with volunteers, Bolt and St John Rescue to achieve this.