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The Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged (PFD) will launch its sixth-round application tomorrow (June 1), with a view to promoting cross-sectoral co-operation to help the disadvantaged and benefit more people in need.
A spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said today (May 31), "The Chief Executive announced in the 2005 Policy Address the setting up of a $200 million PFD. With the provision of matching grants by the Government, business organisations are encouraged to make donations and take part in the social welfare projects run by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which seek to help the disadvantaged and create a caring society.
"In view of the remarkable achievements of the PFD over the past few years, the Administration proposed a further injection of $200 million into the Fund. The proposal was approved by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council last Friday.
"In the sixth-round application, priority will be given to projects in pursuit of enhancement of quality of life, employment/skills development, empowerment and exclusion prevention of the disadvantaged; those with promising sustainability of social partnerships with business corporations; as well as those comprising elements of early intervention with preventive measures targeting a social problem," he said.
"Bona-fide charitable welfare NGOs having tax-exempt status under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112) can apply for the matching grant portion of the Fund. Donations from registered business corporations operating their business in Hong Kong or charitable trusts/foundations which are established and managed by such business corporations will be considered by the Fund.
"Allocation of the Fund for each approved proposal will be capped at $2 million, whereas each applicant welfare NGO is allowed to submit a maximum of 10 applications in the sixth round."
The spokesman added that the SWD had informed NGOs, chambers of commerce and business partners of the sixth-round application through email. The department will further promote the PFD through online platforms, agency visits and district promotional activities. Seminars will also be organised for experienced participants of the Fund to share their good practices, and provide smaller NGOs with more opportunities to match with potential business partners.
Since its inception in 2005, the PFD has approved the allocation of about $130 million in the previous five rounds of application submitted by 111 NGOs together with 568 business partners to implement 319 welfare projects. No less than 650,000 disadvantaged people have benefited.
The beneficiaries by the size of matching grants involved comprised deprived families (23%), elderly (17%), people with disabilities(17%),disadvantaged children(11%), disadvantaged youth(11%), unemployed(5%), disadvantaged women(3%), new arrivals(3%), ethnic minorities and others (including street sleepers, ex-offenders, chronically ill and drug abusers) (10%). Many business partners have engaged in the projects and provided voluntary services to the disadvantaged people.
The six-round application will be open to NGOs tomorrow and will close on September 30. For enquiries, please contact the PFD secretariat (tel: 2892 5104/email: pmpfd@swd.gov.hk) or visit the SWD homepage (www.swd.gov.hk).
Ends/Monday, May 31, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:19
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