The Community Investment and Inclusion Fund (CIIF) Forum 2018 – Social Capital as a Solution
Message from the Secretary for Labour and Welfare

“Social Capital as a Solution”

Social capital as an effective solution for the community has already been demonstrated upon the inception of the Community Investment and Inclusion Fund (CIIF), which has shown its function of offering immediate and timely assistance. In 2003, when Hong Kong was plagued by the SARS outbreak and the public became panic-stricken, the CIIF funded its first batch of projects to promote community participation, injecting the much-needed positive energy into Hong Kong through giving play to the social capital spirit of mutual help and social cohesion. In 2008, in response to a series of family tragedies in Tin Shui Wai, the CIIF approved funding in one single batch to support thirteen social capital development projects in the area so as to strengthen its neighbourhood support networks. In recent years, taking into account the ageing population situation in Hong Kong, the CIIF has also funded a number of community projects aiming to bolster elderly support networks. Moreover, to tie in with the completion of new public housing estates in different districts, the CIIF will regularise the community support programme for residents of new public rental housing estates, and fund a diverse range of projects to be implemented by different organisations for helping the residents adapt to the new environment and integrate into the community as soon as possible.

Given the rapid development of our society, community needs are fast changing. As regular services of the Government are striving to adjust and respond to such changing needs, social capital provides a complementary role through connecting different sectors and offering solutions to the community in a timely and targeted manner.

Since the establishment of the CIIF in 2002, 375 projects have been funded spanning all 18 districts throughout the territory, mobilising more than 730 000 participants and some 9 200 collaborative partners to directly participate in the projects. So far, around 2 100 mutual help networks have successfully been built. These are exactly the concrete examples of social capital.

As social capital grows and thrives, more effective solutions will become available for our community. Let us continue to work together to make good use of the social capital of every person, organisation and community with a view to building a more compassionate and sustainable Hong Kong.