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The EC has expanded its Elder Academy (EA) Scheme to cover a total of 78 primary and secondary schools which offer more than 10 000 places to elders, plus seven tertiary institutions offering 1 000 places to elders in the 2008-09 academic year. EAs are characterised by cross-sectoral collaboration and inter-generational harmony, with young students participating in them as volunteers.
At the community level, in addition to a Pilot Neighbourhood Active Ageing Project (PNAAP), a two-year PNAAP- - Caring for Elders was launched in September to promote care for the elderly and prevent abuse of them through establishing neighbourhood support networks. Under these two projects, a total of 37 district projects were being carried out across the territory, covering about 114 000 elderly persons and their family members.
Furthering Social Capital Development: Community Investment and Inclusion Fund
The Community Investment and Inclusion Fund (CIIF) was established in 2002 with $300 million. This is intended to promote social capital development in Hong Kong by applying social investment strategies to the building of mutual help networks and by encouraging cross-sectoral partnerships to mobilize community
resources.
By year-end, the CIIF had processed 13 batches of applications, and allocated over $181 million in support of 189 social capital development initiatives in all 18 districts. In 2008, the CIIF and the Labour Department launched a joint initiative to encourage the application of social capital strategies for enhancing the employability and resilience of disadvantaged youth.
Initial social capital outcomes, such as enhanced personal capacity and increased social and economic participation are being achieved, and good practice models such as neighbourhood support networks, and cross-sectoral mentorship schemes. are also emerging.
To further the CIIF objectives, a networks of supporters known as SC.Net (social) capitial) was formed in November to engage existing collaborators in experience sharing and to develop new partnerships.
Tripartite Co-operation: The Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged
A $200 million SWD-administered Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged was set up in 2005 to promote tripartite partnership of the Government, the business sector and NGOs in helping the disadvantaged. Donations in money and in kind from the business sector are matched dollar-for-dollar by the Government to enable NGOs to carry out social welfare projects.
By year-end, over 80 NGOs had obtained matching grants totalling over $67 million to implement 177 welfare projects. Many of the business partners also participated in service planning and served as volunteers.
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200 Social Welfare