CIIF and Labour Department to give subsidy to enhance youth employability

The Chairman of the Community Investment and Inclusion Fund (CIIF) Committee, Mr Yeung Ka-sing, announced today (March 18) that CIIF has approved 20 new projects with an allocation of over $22 million, including $18.7 million from CIIF and $3.7 million from the Labour Department.

CIIF and the Labour Department have joined hands for the first time to fund six of the approved projects. The projects will adopt innovative strategies to enhance youth employability through the development of social capital. About 650 internship, job or further study opportunities will be created, and more than 1,000 young people will benefit.

The remaining 14 projects will adopt different approaches to developing social capital in various districts. The project teams have engaged new partners, and some are running special projects which focus on strengthening the support network for middle-class families.

Mr Yeung said that CIIF would be inviting proposals for the next round of applications on the theme of "power of resilience at times of adversity" to address the needs of families and communities affected by the financial tsunami. The CIIF Committee encourages applicants to put forward innovative proposals which can help middle-class families and communities cope with adversity and enhance their support network.

"The current economic situation is exerting pressure on Hong Kong people, affecting their career prospects and livelihood, and the impact on non-engaged youth and the middle-class is more strongly felt. We should not simply provide them with financial assistance, but should also enhance the community's capacity in coping with adversity. We have to rebuild the confidence of individuals, their families and society. Only with a resilient community shall we be able to face up to the challenges now and seize the opportunities when the economy recovers," said Mr Yeung.

Many newly approved projects have embodied the concept of social capital in promoting personal development and strengthening the mutual help network in the community. This will help enhance young people's employability and resilience.

The Chairman of the Assessment and Evaluation Sub-committee of the CIIF, Professor Joe Leung, found the new initiative of CIIF and the Labour Department encouraging. He said, "The joint initiative has linked up new partners from different strata and sectors, for example, the Chamber of Hong Kong Computer Industry with the Federation of Trade Unions, as well as the partnership of the Ocean Park, Hong Kong Young Chefs Club and HKU SPACE. It will not only expand the networks of CIIF and the Labour Department, but also strengthen the community's training support for young people."

The Assistant Commissioner for Labour (Employment Services), Mr Stanley Ng, said, "With CIIF's district networks and the Labour Department's experience in employment services, I believe the new initiative will effectively enhance our young people's employability. We encourage the project teams to start with enhancing young people's self-confidence and ability, and then help them expand their interpersonal network. This will facilitate their social integration and help them understand better their personal development and employment needs."

Three former participants of CIIF-funded projects talked about how the projects had helped them change their mindset and get through SARS and adversities with the support of neighbours and friends.

Since its establishment in 2002, the CIIF has allocated over $200 million to support more than 200 projects.

With the launch of the next round of funding application, social services organisations, schools, the business sector and professional bodies are welcome to submit project proposals by May 31, 2009. For details, please refer to the CIIF website (www.ciif.gov.hk).

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