3E's Project creates 520 jobs

August 25, 2011

The Enhancing Employment of People with Disabilities through Small Enterprise Project, also known as the 3E’s Project, has created more than 520 jobs.
 
This was the message from Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung, speaking today during his visit to social enterprise eatery Cafe 330.
 
Located in the Extension Block of Prince of Wales Hospital, the cafe is one of the five social enterprises operated by the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association with fund support from the 3E’s Project.
 
Under the scheme, non-governmental organisations get support for forming small enterprises with a one-off grant of up to $2 million as seed money, on the condition half the staff are disabled.
 
Mr Cheung said since the project's inception, $41 million has been approved for 66 businesses, ranging from cleaning, baking, eco-tourism, catering, car cleaning, mobile massage, retailing, fruit and vegetable wholesaling and processing, to tourism services.
 
More than 1,500 disabled people have been employed in these businesses so far.
 
“The 3E’s Project has created more than 520 jobs for persons with disabilities in total. Currently, 54 business schemes funded under the project are in operation. It shows a majority of the funded projects can stand on their own feet after starting up with the seed money support. As a result, many persons with disabilities can genuinely benefit from the job opportunities created,” Mr Cheung said.