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Social Welfare

Community Investment and Inclusion Fund

The Community Investment and Inclusion Fund (CIIF) aims at implementing diversified social capital development projects in the community, promoting trust and reciprocity among the public and different sectors, and building a cross-sectoral collaborative platform and mutual help networks for a caring Hong Kong. In 2015, this fund allocated around $60 million to 26 new projects. A total attendance of about 152,000 was recorded, including about 17,000 volunteers, and about 1,700 collaboration partners were involved in ongoing CIIF-funded projects, building about 200 mutual help networks.

Community Care Fund

The Community Care Fund (CCF) was established in 2011 to assist people facing economic difficulties, especially those who fall outside the social safety net or who are within the safety net but have special circumstances that are not covered. It has been integrated into the work of the Commission on Poverty (COP) since 2013. The CCF has launched 30 assistance programmes which have benefited more than 1,220,000 people, involving a total commitment of over $6.237 billion. In addition, the CCF introduces programmes on a pilot basis to help the government identify those suitable for incorporation into the government's regular assistance programme. Eleven programmes have been incorporated into the regular assistance programme so far.

Taking into account the views of the public and stakeholders, the CCF will, in collaboration with other task forces under the COP, draw up more programmes to help the underprivileged and low-income families.

Child Development Fund

The Child Development Fund provides children from disadvantaged backgrounds with personal development opportunities. Through the fund's projects, participants draw up and implement their own development plans and learn to accumulate savings and intangible assets, such as a positive attitude, personal resilience and capacity and social networks, thus helping their long-term development. In 2015, 27 projects operated by NGOs and 10 school- based pilots operated by schools were launched, benefiting more than 3,400 children. For the 2015-16 financial year, the government allocated an additional $300 million, increasing the financial commitment of the fund from $300 million to $600 million to enhance and roll out more projects.

Advisory Bodies

Elderly Commission

The Elderly Commission advises the government on policy and services for the elderly. It places emphasis on promoting active ageing and advises on ways to enhance further long-term care services. The commission is now studying the feasibility of introducing a residential care service voucher scheme and formulating an Elderly Services Programme plan.

In the 2015-16 school year, 129 academies were operating under the Elder Academy Scheme (jointly launched by the commission and the government), with 122 in schools and the rest in tertiary education institutions.

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