CIIF's 13th Batch of Applications – 13 more Social Capital Projects On 17 September, the CIIF announced the results of the 13th batch of applications in a press release. 13 projects were approved with funding of over HKD 18 Million. Together with the previous 12 batches, CIIF has invested over HKD 180 million in support of 189 social capital development projects to date. Members of the CIIF Committee met with the new project teams on the same day to share expectations on social capital outcomes to be achieved, partnership, performance indicators; accountability and logistics to finalise Conditions of Grant (CoG). For those interested, please click here to review the power point (available in Chinese only) of the briefing. The latest batch of newly approved projects included two more projects for Tin Shui Wai. Together with the 19 current projects, there are now a total of 21 projects CIIF-funded social capital building projects covering around 90% of the public housing estates in the district. The nature of the latest batch of approved projects are varied and dynamic, with some applying good practice models in building new communities such as the Ching Ho Estate in Sheung Shui, or reviving older communities such as Kwai Chung; involving elders in operating neighbourhood-based after-school care programme that combine “play” and “care” to improve parent-child and inter-generational relationships; strengthening the home-school-community collaboration model to build stronger safety nets in support of children or families in need; and facilitating youth development through mentoring in producing community television programmes).

The "I + O (Inner and Outer Self) Styling Studio" – is opened! A community studio for your special attention! This "I + O (Inner and Outer Beauty) Styling Studio, is a social capital development project operated by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGH) that builds on the platform established from the earlier - “Wheat Grass Charming Garden” project started in 2004. The CIIF, TWGH, the strong network of volunteer mentors and cross-sectoral collaborators have a shared vision to scale up the community impact of this I + O community studio for young people and women in need of employment. Ms Sophia KAO, the Vice Chairperson of the CIIF Committee and Mr CHIA Kok-onn, the project mentor, officiated at the grand opening of the studio in Aberdeen held on 20 September 2008. Please click here to view the CIIF message for this project (available in Chinese only).

“Tin Shui Wai – a dynamic community” – synergy from 400 participants and 19 projects The joint launch of 19 CIIF-funded projects in Tin Shui Wai (TSW) held on 5 August was officiated by Mr Paul Tang, the Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare. It marked a new milestone for the CIIF and for TSW. With 19 social capital building projects being implemented in a single community at the same time releases tremendous energy with strong potential to make a difference. 400 participants, including project teams, community volunteers cross-sectoral collaborators, district councilors, residents associations, departmental representatives along with the CIIF Members, demonstrated their commitment and pledged their support for the co-ordinated implementation of these local initiatives. The joint launch was held in Pak Kau College, which is adjacent to the new Tin Ching Estate, and which is also helping to implement one of the approved projects. The joint launch also involved a learning session, where three project teams shared their experience and insight in forming estate and floor mentors; home-school-community collaboration through a special after-school care programme and a community co-operative that facilitated the social inclusion of new arrivals. You may revisit the content (available in Chinese only except for the Press Release) of this joint launch and sharing session 1. Programme booklet 2. Speeches of Officiating guests﹕ i. Ms Sophia Kao, JP, CIIF Vice-chairperson ii. Mr Paul Tang Kwok-wai, JP, Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare Bureau iii. Mr Kwan Chuk-fai, MH, JP, CIIF Promotion and Development Sub-Committee Chairman iv. Mr Tang Yun-chor, Vice Chairman of Yuen Long District Council 3. Three flagship-project presentations﹕ -“Caring Southern Estate” to “Home in Shek Pai Wan”— Aberdeen Kai-fong Welfare Association Social Service Center - A Caring Community for the Healthy Growth of Children」After-school care Project — HHCKLA Buddhist Chan Shi Wan Primary School (Project Collaborator) & Hong Kong Family Planning Council Sheung Shui Women Association (Project Collaborator) - Sunny Community – Hong Kong Outlying Islands Women’s Association 4. Press Release 5. Event photos “Tin Shui Wai Joint Launch” Snapshots Tin Shui Wai project teams attracted media interview.       Flagship projects shared their implementation experience.       400 participants got together at the ceremony to show their commitment towards building neighbourhood support networks in the district.

“On behalf of the Community Investment and Inclusion Fund (CIIF), we offer our warmest congratulations CIIF Members and supporters on the honours conferred by the Hong Kong Special Administration Region Government and their appointment as Justices of the Peace for the Hong Kong Special Administration Region Government as announced in the 2008 Honours List. These honours are obviously in recognition of the many significant contributions that our Members and supporters have made to enhancing the well-being of Hong Kong communities through their various public duties. In particular I would like to acknowledge their exceptional and tireless dedication to promoting the much-needed social capital in Hong Kong as part of the CIIF family.” Mr KS Yeung, Chairman, CIIF Committee “I am absolutely thrilled to see that so many of our past and present members, colleagues as well as partners are on the 2008 Honours List. My heartiest congratulations to them all! The honour is a most befitting recognition of their dedicated and selfless service to the community, with their service to CIIF included, of course.” Ms Sophia Kao, Vice Chairperson, CIIF Committee “Warmest congratulations to these members and supporters of CIIF for their important contribution to the society!” Prof Alice Chong, Member, CIIF Committee “Thanks a lot! All comrades in CIIF. Without your passion and guidance, this will never happen. As I see it, more will come.” Dr Lam Ching-choi, Member, CIIF Committee “Congratulations to our members who have been recognised in the 2008 Houours List. Very well deserved indeed!” Ms Lau Ka-shi, Member, CIIF Committee “My warm heart congratulation from thousand miles to our colleagues with distinguished honours. No doubt their achievements and dedication to community are well recognised. I am proud to have opportunity to work with colleagues with strong passion to improve the well being of our citizens.” Prof. Albert Lee, Member, CIIF Committee “….In fact I have gained so much in the works of CIIF: meeting new friends, broadening my exposures to different social groups in Hong Kong etc, and most important, re-shaping my value. I believe many members, after going through the process, would feel the same. Honour Awards should go to CIIF.” Dr Christopher Leung, Retired Member, CIIF Committee. Dr LAM Ching-choi, BBS, JP Bronze Bauhinia Star Prof. YUEN TSANG Woon-ki, Angelina, BBS, JP (retired CIIF Member) Bronze Bauhinia Star Dr. LEUNG Man-kit, Christopher (retired CIIF Member) Medal of Honour Mr. CHAN Wai-ming, David, MH, JP Justices of the Peace Mr KWAN Chuk-fai, MH, JP Justices of the Peace Dr Chan Tsang-fai, BBS (Agency head of Lok Kwan Social Service Ltd , supporter of several CIIF-funded projects ) Bronze Bauhinia Star

Many fruitful returns from the 16 April Workshop on Proposal Writing and Implementation We had over 110 highly enthusiastic participants at this full capacity Workshop. They came from a wide variety of sectors including schools, kindergartens, NGOs, district councilors, business chambers and retired professionals. Over half came to hear about social capital and relevance to their own communities for the first time. They raised many questions, and were responsive to the presentation from the Secretariat on social capital concepts and strategies. Many were inspired by the practical insights from three project teams on home-school-community partnerships and cross-generational networks to build strong caring neighbourhoods in support of families. Because of the venue capacity, we regretted having to decline 60% of the registrations for this Workshop. We noted this popular support, and shall be planning other Workshops on relevant topics soon, including sessions to be conducted in English. Please watch this space for further information! Sharing With You .... Some "Good Ideas" For Social Capital Development You are welcome to review the PowerPoints (in Chinese versions only) presented at the 16 April Workshop; CIIF Approves 29 Community Projects Worth $43 Million In Total Mr Yeung Ka-sing, Chairman of the Community Investment and Inclusion Fund (CIIF) Committee, announced on 6 March 2008 that 29 12th batch projects have been approved with funding of over $43 million allocated. 14 of these projects will be implemented in Tin Shui Wai. This is the largest number of projects being selected, and the highest level of funding being allocated in any single batch, since the CIIF was established in 2002. The nature of these approved projects include after school care to neighbourhood building and cross-generational programmes, with an estimated 12,000 people and their families will benefit. The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, was very impressed by such enthusiasm in the local community, was highly appreciative of the Committee for its dedicated efforts and said that. “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.” Please refer to Press Release and Information of the Approved Projects for more details.   The Fifth CIIF Forum cum Project Expo - 15.11.2007 “Social Capital – The Differences We Create” ~ Successfully Held with Record-High Participation Rate ~   The Fifth CIIF Forum cum Project Expo held on 15 November 2007 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre is a resounding success. Special thanks are extended to CIIF project teams, business and professional partners for their dedication and enthusiastic contribution. The staunch support from policy makers, local and overseas experts, NGOs, schools and health collaborators, academics and local stakeholders involved in social capital development have also been invaluable. With the theme on “Social Capital – The Differences We Create”, the Forum generated overwhelmingly positive feedback. It drew in a record number of visitors, with the aggregate attendance for various activities exceeding 1 000 person time. The Forum featured a keynote speech from Mr. Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, who offered a brief overview on policy directions for social welfare and social capital development. A variety of activities was also held throughout the day, including four concurrent workshops, a project expo hosted by over 60 CIIF project teams, a book fair, a main plenary and a presentation ceremony for CIIF Achievement Awards. Dr. Edward TSE, Managing Director of Greater China of Booz Allen Hamilton, shared his insights at his luncheon address on “Business and Community – Magic of the Collaboration Power”. Both the workshops and main plenary attracted a record-breaking number of participants. Each of the three interactive workshops on Social Capital and High Return Corporate Social Responsibilities, Social Capital and Strategic Repositioning of Stakeholders and Organisations and Social Capital and Implications for Model Building, Teaching and Practice attracted over 120 participants whilst the Workshop on Social Capital and Counting Community Benefits drew in more than 280 participants. These workshops provided an excellent platform for participants to exchange and share their experience on social capital development. At the main plenary attended by over 600 participants, we explored strategies on turning social capital development a mainstream in the society. Renowned local and overseas professionals from various sectors were invited to share with us their expertise and experience on a diverse range of subjects, ranging from social capital development in Asia, ways to make social capital out of social work, perspectives of business sector on social responsibility to the importance of heart as the society’s biggest asset. The Chairman of the CIIF concluded the plenary session with the way forward on how to upscale social capital development in Hong Kong. At the presentation ceremony, Mr. Paul TANG Kwok Wai, Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, and Mr. K. S. YEUNG, the Chairman of the CIIF, presented 2007 CIIF Achievement Awards to the awardees (listed in the table below). In addition, five of the 66 booths in the project expo also won awards for their creative display. Award Project / Awardees Agency Strategic Breakthrough and Innovation Award A Caring and Social Inclusion Project Hong Kong Women Foundation Limited Effective Network Building Award Tai Po Family Network Jockey Club Tai Po North Integrated Children & Youth Services Centre of The Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council Seed of Love Project Hong Kong Children and Youth Services Network K.C. - Mutual Help and Community Networking Project T.W.G.Hs Wong Cho Tong Social Service Building Continuous Enhancement Award Safe and Healthy Estate in Cheung Ching Kwai Tsing Safe Community and Healthy City Association Limited Ulysses Project Aberdeen Kai-fong Welfare Association Social Service Centre Sustainability and Development of Social Capital Award The Red Apprentices – Employability Enhancement Scheme Hong Kong Children and Youth Services Productive Aging: Elderly Shop Project The Salvation Army Integration with the Mainstream Award Forging a Better Tomorrow – A Self-help and Mutual-Help Project Sheng Kung Hui Lady Maclehose Centre Co-Help Network Vitalizer Program Retina Hong Kong Home Repair CooperativeClothing of Many Splendours Project Lok Kwan Social Service Limited Critical Partnerships Award NWS Holdings Ltd ~Community Networking for Skilled Artisans &Home Repair Cooperative St James' Settlement Community Development Service &Lok Kwan Social Service Limited Exceptional Volunteers Award Life Navigators ~Life Navigator Community Mentorship Project for Primary School Students Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Jockey Club Shatin Integrated Services Centre KCRC Volunteer Team ~A community-owned project to build capacity to reduce the risk of inter-generational poverty problem Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong A Special Volunteer Team of the "Growth in a Caring Community" ~Growth in a Caring Community Richmond Fellowship of Hong Kong Social Capital Ambassador Dr TING Wai-fong   Mr Kent LAM Mr Steven CHAN Mr NG Siu Kwan Mr KWAN Kam-chuen The rich contribution from the Forum speakers and relevant Forum materials will be uploaded to the CIIF web site shortly.