Measurable impact: Sustainable Development Council Education & Publicity Sub-committee Chairman Christine Fang.

Priority will be given to projects that create a measurable impact on sustainable development in Hong Kong in the latest round of applications for the Sustainable Development Fund.

The council's Education & Publicity Sub-committee Chairman Christine Fang said it is keen to promote potential parameters for projects related to sustainability reporting.

It considers that a sustainability report will be a worthwhile tool promoting public awareness, creating a benchmark for current levels of sustainability development and tracking Hong Kong's progress towards greater sustainability.

She said a project should include a set of sustainable development indicators relevant to Hong Kong. It should have a clear demonstration of how these might be used, both on a city-wide and district-by-district basis to illustrate examples of Hong Kong's progress in relation to sustainable development principles.

Public knowledge

Ms Fang said the indicators should not be purely theoretical, but should be easily understood by the public. They should be developed with community participation and the end product should be a tool that can be readily used by parties like District Councils, community groups and government departments.

This is the third round of applications since the fund was established in 2003 and $10 million has been earmarked annually for grants.

Ms Fang said projects that promoted awareness of the three Pilot Areas in Hong Kong's first Sustainable Development Strategy - solid waste management, renewable energy and urban living space - would also receive priority consideration, as would projects that target the involvement of young people.

Details of the suggested priority project areas and application forms are available on the sustainable development website. The deadline is September 23. Enquiries can be made to the Sustainable Development Unit on 3150 8192 or sdf@sdu.gov.hk.