New Maltese citizens with a heart

On July 25, Claris Foundation, Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates’ philanthropic arm, inaugurated the reconstruction of a state-of-the-art playground at a children’s home in Malta. This charitable event was officially endorsed by Hon Julia Farrugia Portelli, Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms, Citizenship and Simplification of Administrative Processes.

Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates has always been conscious of less fortunate people and willing to devote time and money to give back to society. Thanks to the firm's commitment to charitable giving and the generosity of its high-net-worth investor clients, Claris Foundation has managed to allocate €70,000 of its funds for the installation of a fully-equipped and modern play area with the aim of providing the children with a safe environment for play, leisure and interaction.

Lead partner of the firm's Residency and Citizenship Practice Group and a member of the Board of Administrators of Claris Foundation, Dr Jean-Philippe Chetcuti encourages aspiring Maltese citizens to contribute towards Claris Foundation. In Dr Chetcuti’s words, “The goal of the Programme is not to accept as many new Maltese citizens as possible; rather, it strives to attract talented individuals of an excellent standing that can contribute not only to our economy but also to the social well-being of the country. For instance, some of our clients have invested in promoting Maltese art abroad; but many contribute to approved charities such as Claris Foundation helping underprivileged children and refugees.”

Dr Chetcuti also added that the willingness to give back is relatively common amongst high-net-worth investors we work with, with some 91% of the firm's international client families supporting a charity of their choice.

These views are shared by Hon Julia Farrugia Portelli, who inaugurated the completion of the playground. Hon. Portelli Farrugia observed that “since the inception of the citizenship by investment programme, more than 550 donations have been made by applicants of the programme, with an overwhelming value of €3.5 million.” The positive impact of the programme, according to Ms Farrugia Portelli, is “measured not through monetary means, but through the legacy it is leaving behind.”

Dr Maria Chetcuti Cauchi, Chairperson of Claris Foundation and co-founding partner of Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates, joined them in expressing her gratitude towards the international investor community, explaining that donations to Claris Foundation used to previously come from the employees and their family members, however, foreign clients have voluntarily joined them in this mission. “It is through the generosity of such persons as well as the hard work carried out by the employees that this initiative has become a reality,” stated Dr Chetcuti Cauchi at the playground inauguration ceremony.

It is also worth mentioning that the philanthropic efforts of the firm, coupled with the generosity of international benefactors, have allowed Claris Foundation to realise a number of other charitable projects, including funding children education under the Jesuit Refugee Services Integration Programme, reconstructing a family home in Albania, and covering the costs of the psychological examination for a student in need.