Neighbour-friendly Shop Recognition Scheme 2021-22
(Nominated by CIIF-funded Project Teams ONLY)

Over the years, local shops have been important collaborators of the Community Investment and Inclusion Fund (CIIF) and its funded projects. These local shops, such as restaurants, retail stores and clinics, have been working assiduously in the community. In addition to catering to the daily needs of residents, they demonstrate the “Neighbour-friendly” spirit and provide different kinds of assistance to residents. By building reciprocity and mutual trust, they spread love and care in the community, which are indeed valuable social capital.

In order to recognise local shops that have contributed to building mutual support networks in the community, encourage them to demonstrate the spirit of mutual help, promote their participation in building social capital, and further cultivate the culture of mutual help and trust in the community, CIIF is now launching the “Neighbour-friendly Shop Recognition Scheme 2021-22”. Details of the Scheme are as follows:

Objectives

• To recognise local shops’ contribution in building mutual support networks in the community;
• To raise the awareness of social capital in different sectors by promoting the “Neighbour-friendly” spirit at local shops;
• To encourage local shops to cultivate the culture of mutual help and trust in the community.

Assessment Criteria

• Assessment criteria are based on the following six social capital dimensions, taking into account the specific, substantial and ongoing participation of the shops in the community.

1. Social Cohesion and Inclusion:
   The shop understands and accepts people in need in the community, and provides them with different levels of assistance.
   
   
2. Social Networks:
   The shop establishes a co-operative relationship with organisations from different sectors in the community to serve residents.
   
   
3. Trust and Solidarity:
   The shop establishes a long-term relationship of mutual trust with residents.
   
   
4. Mutual-help and Reciprocity:
   The shop makes good use of its network and expertise to help residents in need, and demonstrates the spirit of reciprocity.
   
   
5. Information and Communication:
   The shop helps disseminate information related to residents’ lives or community development through different platforms and means.
   
   
6. Social Participation:
   The shop continuously promotes or mobilises its stakeholders (e.g. employees, customers, partners) to participate in community services.

Assessment Procedures and Awards

• The applications will be preliminarily reviewed by the CIIF Secretariat and then submitted to the CIIF Committee for final decision;
• Awardees will be given the logo of the “Neighbour-friendly Shop Recognition Scheme 2021-22” as a token of appreciation. The logo will be valid until 31 December 2022;
• Awardees will be commended in various promotional materials or platforms, e.g. the CIIF’s website, social media platforms and media coverage.

Enquiry

Community Investment and Inclusion Fund Secretariat
Mr. Ray WONG, Manager (Projects and Events)
Tel: 2503 2117
Email: friendlyshops@lwb.gov.hk