Home Affairs Department - Public Services - Enhancing Self-Reliance Through District Partnership Programme

	Introduction
	Objectives
	Eligibility
	Amount of grant and funding period
	Advisory Committee
	How to apply
	Application timetable (Phase V)
	Forms and guidelines
	Activities and updated information
	Publicity
	Related links
	Contact us

Introduction

The Enhancing Self-Reliance Through District Partnership Programme (Programme) is established under the Home Affairs Department in response to an initiative of the Commission on Poverty (CoP) to reinforce its work in preventing and alleviating poverty through a district-based approach. It has also taken into account the renewed emphasis on district partnership contained in the consultation document on Review on the Role, Functions and Composition of District Councils published on 27 April 2006. We believe that district-based projects and solutions can help identify local needs more precisely, mobilize community resources more effectively and create employment opportunities and support services on a more sustainable basis.

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Objectives

The Programme seeks to promote sustainable poverty prevention and alleviation efforts at the district level that help enhance self-reliance, targeting socially disadvantaged groups. Instead of providing welfare or short-term relief, the Programme aims at increasing the skills and capacities of the employable and providing opportunities for the disadvantaged to upgrade themselves and to be effectively integrated into community.

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Eligibility

The applicant should be a bona fide non-profit making organization which shall be -

(a)	a statutory organization or an organization registered under the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (e.g. the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32), the Societies Ordinance (Cap. 151), etc.); and

(b)	an approved charitable institution and trust of a public character under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112).

Joint applications involving more than one organization or the District Council are also welcome.

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Amount of grant and funding period

The funding ceiling for each approved project is $3 million. The project shall commence operation within six months after approval of the grant and the maximum funding period is two years from the commencement of operation of the project.

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Advisory Committee

Terms of Reference
The Advisory Committee, comprising representatives from relevant Government Bureaux/Departments and non-official members appointed by the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, is established to -

(a)	examine and recommend applications for funding;

(b)	monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of funded projects; and

(c)	advise the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs on all matters related to the administration of the Programme.

Membership
Chairman:	Prof. CHEUNG Yan-leung, Stephen

Membership:	Ms CHAN Chiu-ling, Ophelia Ms FUNG Yuen-mei, Anita Mr HUNG Wai-man, Witman Mr LAI Chi-tong Mrs LAI IP Po-ping, Fanny Mr LEUNG Ting-yu, Billy Mr LIU Wing-ting, Stephen Mr Alvin MIU Mr NG Chi-wing, Stephen Mr SIU Chor-kee

Government representatives on the Committee would include -

(a)	representative from Home Affairs Department;

(b)	representative from Labour Department;

(c)	representative from Social Welfare Department; and

(d)	representative from relevant bureaux/departments may be co-opted as and when required.

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How to apply

The Programme is open to application all year round, but deadlines are set on a half-yearly basis (please see the following section on application timetable). Please download the Application Guide to find out more about the nature of the Programme, the selection criteria, the financial arrangement and monitoring mechanism for successful projects.

Applications to the Programme must be submitted in the specified Application Form. Please click here to download the Application Form. Completed forms should be sent to the Programme's Secretariat by post or email at the following address / email -

The Secretariat to the Enhancing Self-reliance Through District Partnership Programme
Home Affairs Department
21/F, China Overseas Building
139 Hennessy Road
Wan Chai, Hong Kong

E-mail: esr_secretariat@had.gov.hk

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Application timetable

	Date of the application to reach the Secretariat
Fifth phase application	1 December 2008

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Forms and Guidelines

Guides and Notes

Application Guide (PDF) (Revised on 5/2008)

Notes for Auditors of Grantees (DOC) (PDF)

Application

Application Form (DOC) (PDF) (Revised on 5/2008)

Sample Application Form (PDF) (Chinese version only)

Payment

Authority for Payment to a Bank (GF179A) (PDF)

Sample Authority for Payment to a Bank (PDF) and Sample letter (PDF)

Application for Capital Expenses Reimbursement (DOC) (PDF) (Revised on 7/2007)

Sample Application for Capital Expenses Reimbursement (PDF) (Chinese version only)

Application for Reimbursement of Auditors' Remuneration (DOC) (PDF)

Report

Half-yearly / Annual Performance Report Template (DOC) (PDF) (Revised on 3/2008)

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Activities and updated information

Debriefing

A debriefing was held on 4th November 2008 in which non-governmental organizations were briefed on the purpose of the Porgramme and the success factors in business plan writing. The relevant document is appended below -

Key factors in successful applications (Chinese version only) (PDF)
Tips on writing of business plan (Chinese version only) (PDF)

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Publicity

Programme Logo (JPG) (AI)

Programme Leaflet (PDF)

Programme Newsletter

1st Issue ~ Chinese version only (PDF)
2nd Issue ~ Chinese version only (PDF) NEW!

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