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).

Starting from 2011, we will accept, on a trial basis, applications from non-profit-making organizations not registered under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112). Please refer to the ‘Note for applicants’ in this web page for details. New

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Amount of grant and funding period

The funding ceiling for each approved project is $3 million. For applications submitted from 2011 onwards and subsequently approved, the maximum funding period will be extended from two years to three years. New

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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 (1 July 2010 – 30 June 2012)
Chairman: Prof. CHEUNG Yan-leung, Stephen
   
Membership: Ms CHAN Chiu-ling, Ophelia
Ms CHAN Jo-win, Joanne
Mr CHENG Shing-lung, Edwin
Ms FUNG Sau-yim
Ms FUNG Yuen-mei, Anita
Ms HO Ming-wai, Celine
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 MIU, Alvin
Mr NGAI Wah-sing, Francis
Dr SHI Lop-tak, Allen
Mr SIU Chor-kee
Mr YU Hon-kwan, Randy

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) to enable the corresponding processing of applications in batches. Please refer to the Application Guide to find out more about the Programme, including the objectives, the assessment criteria, the financial arrangement and monitoring mechanism for approved projects.

Applications 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
Phase 11 applications
on or before 31 October 2011

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Fields of business encouraged

We encourage applications involving fields of business which may tie in well with the prevailing government policies or the needs of the community. We will announce the fields of business for general information and will regularly review the business fields to be encouraged. The present fields of business encouraged include:

(a) business targeting the elderly : SEs that provide care services for elderly or involve useful engagement of the elderly
(b) business targeting children and youth : SEs hiring youth, involving skill transfer to youth, providing useful engagement of the youth, providing care services for children, or for the betterment of disadvantaged children and youth; and
(c) business contributing to the development of a green environment: e.g. waste reduction, recycling of waste and materials.

Vetting of applications, whether or not in the above designated fields, would continue to be based on individual merits, and should meet the Programme's objectives.

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Forms and Guidelines

Guides and Notes

Application Guide (PDF) (Revised in 1/2011)

Note for applicants of non-profit-making organizations not under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112) (DOC) (PDF) (Revised in 7/2011)

Notes for Auditors of Grantees (DOC) (PDF) (Revised in 5/2010)

Guidelines on Disposal of Capital Items (PDF) (4/2010)

Application

Application Form (DOC) (PDF) (Revised in 1/2011)

Sample Application Form (PDF) (Chinese version only)

Supplementary Information (applicable to “non-section 88 applicants”) (DOC) (PDF) (1/2011)

Payment

Authority for Payment to a Bank (GF179A) (PDF) (Revised in 7/2011)

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

Application for Capital Expenditure Reimbursement (DOC) (PDF) (Revised in 8/2009)

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

Application for Reimbursement of Auditors' Remuneration (DOC) (PDF) (Revised in 7/2009)

Report

Half-yearly / Annual Performance Report Template (DOC) (PDF) (Revised in 8/2009)

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Corruption Prevention Best Practices

The Corruption Prevention Department of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has developed a set of Best Practice Modules on how to plug corruption loopholes. Appended below the more relevant ones to the Programme grantees. If you would like to know more about corruption prevention guides and practices, you can visit the ICAC website at www.icac.org.hk.

  • Strengthening Integrity and Accountability - Grantee's Guidebook (PDF)
  • Internal Control in Social Enterprises (PDF)
  • Guidelines on Disbursement of Grants by Public Funded Organizations (English version only) (PDF)
  • Letting and Administration of Works Contracts in Non-Governmental Organisations (PDF)
  • Payment Procedures (PDF)
  • Subvented Non-Governmental Organisations - Procurement Procedures (PDF)
  • Retail Incentive Programmes (PDF)
  • Sales Receipts Administration (PDF)
  • Sample Code of Conduct for Non-Governmental Organisations (PDF)
  • Stores Management in Non-Governmental Organisations (PDF)
  • Subvented Non-Governmental Organisations - Staff Administration (PDF)
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Projects established under the Programme and which are in operation

Project list (PDF) (Chinese version only)

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Activities and updated information

Briefing

A number of briefings have been held to brief non-governmental organizations on various topics of the Programme. The relevant briefing materials are 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 Newsletter

  • First Issue ~ Chinese version only (PDF)
  • Second Issue ~ Chinese version only (PDF)
  • Third Issue ~ Chinese version only (PDF)
  • Fourth Issue ~ Chinese version only (PDF)
  • Fifth Issue ~ Chinese version only (PDF)

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Related links

The Government's dedicated website on Social Enterprises

Home Affairs Bureau

Commission on Poverty

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Contact us

Email Address: esr_secretariat@had.gov.hk
Tel No.: 2123 8383
Address: 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

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