Women's Commission meets women's groups to discuss Community Investment and Inclusion Fund ****************************************************** The Women's Commission met with women's groups and service agencies yesterday (October 22) to discuss issues relating to the Community Investment and Inclusion Fund. A total of 85 persons from 55 women's groups and service agencies attended. "The purpose of the meeting is to hear views from women's groups and service agencies on how the new Community Investment and Inclusion Fund should be operated," said Mrs Sophie Leung, Chairperson of the Women's Commission. Participants generally welcomed the introduction of the Community Investment and Inclusion Fund. Participants felt that the Fund could provide opportunities for members of the community to initiate new services which would provide support to women and youth. They hoped that the Fund would allow more flexibility than the other existing funding mechanisms did so that more new services might be provided and more people might benefit from it. Some participants suggested that in vetting project proposals, the future vetting committee should take into account women's perspectives and pay more attention to the substance and merit of a proposal than to the write-up of the proposal. The negative sentiments prevailing in the community at present also caught the attention of some participants, who suggested that the Fund should favour projects which would promote a caring and harmonious society and send out positive messages. Cooperation across different sectors should also be encouraged. Many participants expressed the hope that the Fund would come into operation soon. "I am encouraged by the active response from the participants, who have contributed very practical and innovative ideas for the Fund. The Women's Commission will consolidate the comments received and ask the Government to consider and follow-up," Mrs Leung said. The Chief Executive announced in the Policy Address on 10 October 2001 that the Government plans to provide an initial $300 million grant to establish a Community Investment and Inclusion Fund. The purpose of the Fund is to encourage mutual concern and aid among people, and to promote community participation in district and cross-sector programmes. The Fund will support projects proposed by members of the community. "The Fund would provide a good facility to enable local women to participate in the community through initiating worthwhile community projects," Mrs Leung said. "Through this process, women, particularly grassroot women, could care for and help one another, while developing better skills and capability and enhancing their own self-image and self-confidence. They would also be an important force in strengthening social cohesion and community networks." "We support the views from participants that cross-sector cooperation should be promoted in developing community projects. We believe that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can play an active role in reaching out and facilitating grassroot women to initiate proposals," Mrs Leung said. "We also encourage women leaders, including business and professional women, to take part in the process. They can share their skills and experience with grassroot women and help the latter in organizing community projects. The Women's Commission looks forward to working with community groups, women leaders and grassroot women in this regard." END/Tuesday, October 23, 2001