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The following is issued on behalf of the Community Investment and Inclusion Fund Committee:
Mr Yeung Ka-sing, Chairman of the Community Investment and Inclusion Fund (CIIF) Committee, announced today (March 6) that the CIIF had just approved 29 projects, with funding of over $43 million allocated.
"This is the largest number of projects we have selected, and the highest level of funding we have allocated in any single batch, since the CIIF was established in 2002.
"These projects, ranging from after-school care to neighbourhood building and cross-generational programmes, will further strengthen the social bonding of individuals and families and contribute to the well-being of our society. We estimate that 12,000 people and their families will benefit," said Mr Yeung.
Non-governmental organisations, schools, parents, resident associations, women's organisations, cultural groups, health and other professionals have responded positively to the CIIF's call for proposals. Of the 29 newly approved projects, 14 are targetting Tin Shui Wai. Together with three other current CIIF projects, they cover about 80% of the housing estates in the district.
Dr Christopher Leung Man-kit, Chairman of the Assessment Sub-Committee of the CIIF and a founding member of the CIIF Committee since 2002, said he found the approved projects most encouraging. "This is the first time that the CIIF is able to engage so many collaborators in such a critical mass of neighbourhood building projects to be rolled out in a single district at the same time. The seeds we have sown in the past five years are beginning to bear fruit," he said.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said he was very impressed by such enthusiasm in the local community, and was highly appreciative of the committee for its dedicated efforts. "It is a great opportunity for everyone living in Tin Shui Wai, and for those wishing to help out in Tin Shui Wai, to get involved,"กจ Mr Cheung said.
The insights gained by earlier project teams, and some successful neighbourhood-building models, such as house captains, co-operatives and mutual help after-school care programmes, will be tried out in Tin Shui Wai. Mr Kwan Chuk-fai, Vice-chairman of the Assessment Committee, will head a task force to co-ordinate their implementation. The committee will also organise briefing sessions and training workshops for the new project teams and their collaborators.
Apart from the exciting development in Tin Shui Wai, a number of potential flagship projects with new and strong partners are also being developed in other districts. They include neighbourhood-building projects involving the Housing Society, and community care projects to be carried out in collaboration with the United Christian Hospital and the Princess Margaret Hospital.
Riding on the success in this round, the CIIF is inviting the next batch of applications. The closing date is May 30, 2008. Information about the CIIF is available at its website at www.ciif.gov.hk.
Ends/Thursday, March 6, 2008
Issued at HKT 11:05
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