Social Welfare | 203
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, 93 NGOs had obtained matching grants totalling over $100 million. to implement 276 welfare projects. Many of the business partners also participated in service planning and served as volunteers.
Social Capital: Creating Hope, Trust and Resilience and Inclusion Fund
Community Investment
The $300 million Community Investment and Inclusion Fund (CIIF) was set up in 2002 as a seed fund to promote social capital development by cultivating mutual support in the neighbourhood, community participation and cross-sectoral partnerships.
By year-end, the CIIF had processed 15 batches of applications, and allocated about $200 million in support of over 200 social capital development initiatives in all 18 districts. The projects were implemented with support from over 4 700 partners, including non-governmental organisations, schools, businesses, professional groups, residents' associations, hospitals, district councils and government departments with over 530 000 people participating in these initiatives.
The financial tsunami that triggered a global economic crisis hit Hong Kong in late 2008. Some projects approved in recent two batches were encouraged to form new partnerships and enhance community engagement across different social strata and build unique mutual help networks to help families and communities most affected by the crisis.
To further promote the benefits of social capital building and good practice models, a 6th CIIF Forum cum Project Expo was organised in November 2009. The Government will commission a second evaluation study to identify critical success factors to guide the future development of social capital in Hong Kong.
Elderly Commission
The Elderly Commission (EC) was set up in 1997 to advise the Government on policy and services for the elderly. Recently, emphasis has been placed on promoting 'active ageing' and advising on the means to enhance further long-term care services for the elderly.
The total number of elder academies under the Elder Academy Scheme jointly launched by the EC and the Government has increased to more than 100, 98 of which are operating in primary and secondary schools and the rest in tertiary education institutions. Elder academies characterised by cross-sectoral collaboration and inter-generational harmony, with young students participating in
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