Press Releases

Twelve projects successful in securing CIIF support

The Community Investment and Inclusion Fund (CIIF) Committee today (January 14) announces that funding of $8.9 million has been allocated for 12 projects.

These 12 projects are amongst the first to be selected from the first batch of proposals submitted to the Fund in October last year.

A spokesperson for the CIIF Secretariat said each of the successful projects aimed to achieve something unique and all had been chosen to work with specific communities, marginalised groups or to address pressing social needs, and some involved different models of community building. 

"The focus of these selected projects will be on empowering and building up the capacities of marginalised service recipients into contributors to society, forming self-help co-operatives, strengthening support networks or becoming helpers to others in need," the spokesperson said. 

"Project beneficiaries include those who are homeless, people displaced and living in interim housing estates, youth with limited life skills or work options, single parents, new arrivals, the unskilled and unemployed, people with disabilities and elders who have retired early or in need of community-care." 

Response to the new Fund had been enthusiastic, with 227 proposals received in the first batch. 

"The CIIF Committee is highly appreciative of the efforts and support from all the Non-governmental Organisations and community groups that have submitted proposals to date. 

"A number of these proposals show considerable potential to achieve the objectives of the CIIF. 

"Understanding and operationalising the concept of social capital development is a gradual, formative and learning process. The CIIF Committee therefore welcomes the re-submission of some of these proposals if the applicants are interested in making appropriate revisions," the spokesperson added. 

The CIIF Committee will host a de-briefing session on January 22, 2003 for all first batch applicants. The de-briefing session involves presentations by the selected projects, and will be of interest particularly to groups that wish to revise and re-submit their proposals. 

Meanwhile, the Fund is open for second batch applications from February 1, 2003 with a closing date of April 30, 2003. Assistance to applicants will be provided through:

*The CIIF Guides, application forms and general advice are available from the Health Welfare and Food Bureau, District Offices of the Social Welfare Department and the Home Affairs Department; 

*A series of briefings for prospective applicants are being organised by the CIIF Secretariat, during February and March 2003, to advise on the Fund objectives, application criteria and process; and 

*Advice on preparing proposals and/or mentoring assistance through CIIF partners. 

Information on the CIIF can be found at http://www.hwfb.gov.hk/ciif/index.htm

End/Tuesday, January 14, 2003
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