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SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 1989

YOUTH GROUPS INVITED TO APPLY FOR GRANTS

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THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) CALLED ON YOUTH GROUPS PLANNING INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS ΤΟ APPLY FOR GRANTS UNDER THE "OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME" (OYS).

APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS TOGETHER WITH DETAILS OF THE PROJECT PROPOSALS SHOULD REACH THE DEPARTMENT'S SOCIAL WORK OFFICERS (YOUTH AND COMMUNITY) BEFORE MAY 10.

PROJECTS AIMING AT PROMOTING HOME SAFETY WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY CONSIDERATION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.

"THE DEPARTMENT HAS DECIDED TO GIVE PRIORITY CONSIDERATION ΤΟ THESE PROJECTS IN A BID TO MINIMISE ACCIDENTS IN HOMES," HE SAID.

"AT THE SAME TIME, YOUTH GROUPS MAY ALSO ORGANISE PROJECTS ON THE THEME OF ACTUALISE THEIR IDEALS AND SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY', AND THE MAXIMUM SUBSIDY FOR AN APPROVED PROJECT IS $4,500.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE OBJECTIVES OF THE OYS, FIRST LAUNCHED IN 1974, WERE TO PROMOTE THE PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH; ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES; AND DEVELOP THE SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION AND MUTUAL HELP.

"THROUGH WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A COMMON GOAL, THE OYS OFFERS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO BROADEN THEIR SCOPE OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE, BETTER UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNITY, AND ACHIEVE THE NECESSARY SATISFACTION FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID.

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EACH PARTICIPATING GROUP SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST SEVEN MEMBERS AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 25, AND SHOULD BE SPONSORED BY A SCHOOL, A YOUTH AGENCY, OR AN INDUSTRIAL OR COMMERCIAL ORGANISATION.

GROUPS WITHOUT SPONSORS MAY ALSO APPLY WITH THE APPROVAL THE SOCIAL WORK OFFICER (YOUTH AND COMMUNITY) OF THEIR DISTRICT.

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UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROJECTS, EACH DISTRICT WILL SELECT MOST OUTSTANDING PROJECT TO COMPETE FOR THE "HONG KONG BEST OYS AWARD".

THE ASSESSMENT CRITERIA WILL INCLUDE THE EXTENT OF YOUTH INVOLVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, EXTENT OF COMMUNITY BENEFITS, FEASIBILITY OF THE PROJECT, AND OPTIMUM USE OF RESOURCES AND INNOVATION.

FURTHER INFORMATION AND APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE VARIOUS YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OFFICES OF THE SOCIAL

DEPARTMENT.

WELFARE

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