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The following is issued on behalf of the Council for Sustainable Development:
The Council for Sustainable Development is inviting applications from groups and individuals for grants to undertake projects that will raise public awareness of sustainable development (SD) and promote sustainable practices in Hong Kong.
The Chair of the council's Education and Publicity Sub-committee (EPSC), Mr Michael Lai, said today (July 31) that about $10 million was earmarked annually for grants from the Sustainable Development Fund, and that this would be the seventh round of applications since the fund was established in 2003.
Mr Lai said the sub-committee had suggested a number of priority areas that would receive particular consideration in the current round of applications.
"Particular consideration will be given to projects that focus on building a sustainable community, promoting a sustainable lifestyle or practice as well as sustainability reports by industry/sector," he said.
He added that projects that are generally consistent with the overall objectives of the fund would also be welcome.
Details of the suggested priority areas and application forms are posted on the SD website (www.susdev.gov.hk). Applicants are encouraged to submit applications online. The deadline for submitting applications is 5pm on October 30. Enquiries can be made to the Sustainable Development Division on 3150 8166 or by e-mail to sdf@sdu.gov.hk .
In the first six rounds of applications from 2003 to 2008, 33 projects were approved at a total cost of $29.7 million. Of these 33 projects, 22 focus on community involvement and capacity building, six on SD education in schools and tertiary institutions, and the remaining five projects relate to publication of a magazine, production of dramas, production of a green map and sustainability reporting. They have all contributed to raising public awareness of SD in the local community.
Among the newly approved projects under the sixth round of applications, four are community projects, two are school-based projects that aim to raise students' awareness of corporate sustainability and sustainable seafood consumption, and the other is for SD education in tertiary education.
Details of all approved projects and their progress are on the SD website.
Ends/Friday, July 31, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:11
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