Merill Wins Gold for Social Impact at the Malta Business Awards 2025

A shared achievement for Malta’s rural community and a boost to sustainable tourism

Merill Rural Network has proudly won 1st place in the Social Impact – up to 25 employees category at the 2025 Malta Business Awards. After being shortlisted for two different categories, this award celebrates Merill’s long-standing commitment to empowering rural communities through tourism, education, and culture – a win shared with the many people who make up the network.

Janie Vassallo, network manager for Merill, receives the Social Impact Award for companies with up to 25 employees at the Malta Business Awards gala on November 7th.

What is the Malta Business Awards?

The Malta Business Awards (MBA), organised by the Malta Chamber of SMEs in collaboration with Malta Enterprise, recognises local businesses that demonstrate excellence in sustainability, innovation, social responsibility, and service quality. Each year, the awards shine a spotlight on initiatives that are making a tangible difference across various sectors of Malta’s economy and society.

Why Merill applied (and what happened)

Merill Rural Network applied for two award categories in 2025: Social Impact – up to 25 employees and Local Cultural Contributor. These categories reflected the dual soul of Merill as a social enterprise: combining grassroots impact with a deep commitment to safeguarding Malta’s rural identity. The network was successfully shortlisted for both awards, and on 7th November 2025 was announced as the winner of the Social Impact category.

Why this recognition matters

This award highlights Merill’s role as a catalyst for positive change, giving visibility to a unique model that blends community engagement, cultural co-creation, and local economic development. At its core, Merill supports small farmers, artisans, and rural families to offer meaningful, experience-based tourism – turning traditional knowledge into new opportunities while keeping people and place at the centre. Winning the Social Impact Award affirms the value of this mission and encourages further steps in the same direction.

A Shared Celebration with Merill's Partners

During the same evening, Merill’s strategic partner Exclusively Malta was also awarded Leader in Quality Tourism. Together, Merill and Exclusively Malta co-manage Malta Rural Tours, the tour operator that handles bookings and logistics for Merill's members. While Merill focuses on members engagement and curates their own authentic experiences, Malta Rural Tours ensures smooth delivery to travellers – combining local soul with professional service.

This joint achievement confirms the strength of collaboration and a shared commitment to sustainable, high-quality tourism in Malta.