WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1981
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FROM SHA TIN, THEY WENT TO THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE WHERE NEW FACTORIES ARE SPRINGING UP ON RECLAIMED LAND UNDER THE GOVERNMENT'S ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION PLAN.
THE DAY'S VISIT ENDED WITH A TOUR OF THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK AND THE PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR.
CASH HELP OFFERED FOR YOUTH PROJECTS
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YOUTH GROUPS NEEDING MONEY FOR INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS THEY INITIATE MAY NOW APPLY FOR CASH ASSISTANCE UNDER A SCHEME ADMINISTERED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
THE DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS UNDER THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME, WHICH ENCOURAGES YOUNG PEOPLE TO DEVELOP AN AWARENESS IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
THE DEPARTMENT ALLOCATED NEARLY $170 000 IN 1980-81 FOR 104 APPROVED PROJECTS, BRINGING TO $808 000 THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF SUBSIDIES GIVEN TO 609 PROJECTS SINCE THE SCHEME STARTED IN 1974.
PREVIOUS PROJECTS INCLUDED SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, AND WORKS PROJECTS CARRIED OUT BY 20 000 PARTICIPANTS BENEFITING AN ESTIMATED 990 000 PEOPLE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY ANY GROUP OF AT LEAST SEVEN MEMBERS AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 25 YEARS AND SPONSORED BY A SCHOOL, YOUTH AGENCY OR BUSINESS ORGANISATION, MAY NOW APPLY.
HE SAID GROUPS WHICH ARE NOT SO SPONSORED MAY ALSO APPLY PROVIDED THEY HAVE OBTAINED THE APPROVAL OF THE DEPARTMENT'S COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICERS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS MAY 27, 1981. ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SCHEME AND APPLICATIONS CAN BE MADE AT THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICES IN THE VARIOUS DISTRICTS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DURATION OF A PROPOSED PROJECT SHOULD PREFERABLY BE SPREAD OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.
EACH PROJECT WILL BE ASSESSED FOR ITS YOUTH INVOLVEMENT COMMUNITY BENEFITS, INNOVATION, FEASIBILITY AND OPTIMUM USE OF RESOURCES, HE SAID.
THE MAXIMUM GRANT FOR EACH APPROVED PROJECT IS NORMALLY $3 000, AND THE DEPARTMENT'S COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICERS WILL MAINTAIN CLOSE WORKING LIAISON WITH PARTICIPATING GROUPS, HE ADDED.
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