To promote a 'green culture', the Leisure & Cultural Services Department is inviting schools and local organisations to take part in this year's Greening HK Activities Subsidy Scheme.

It aims to encourage local bodies to organise more greening activities. Since its introduction in 2000, the scheme has provided $900,000 to 21 green projects involving over 180,000 participants.

Organisations subsidised include horticultural and green groups, schools and community groups.

The most successful ventures have included the African Violet Show, the Lotus Show 2001, and the Tai Po International Orchid Show 2003. Particularly popular was the Carnivorous Plant Show 2002, which featured over 4,000 carnivorous plants in spectacular arrangements. It attracted over 24,000 visitors.

The criteria for cash subsidies are:

* The applicant must be a registered local organisation engaged in non-profit activities;

* Activities should be related to greening and be held in Hong Kong. They can be in the form of tree planting, horticultural maintenance projects, flower shows, exhibitions, workshops and seminars, and essay writing and gardening competitions. However, activities merely related to visits will not be considered; and,

* The activity must be organised for public participation, and not for profit-making, fund-raising or commercial purposes.

Subsidy size will be determined on the basis of scale, format and content.

Applications including details of the proposed activities should be sent by post to the Green Campaign Section, 11th floor, LCS Headquarters, No. 1-3 Pai Tau Street, Sha Tin, three months prior to commencement of the activity.

For enquiries, please contact the department's Green Campaign Section at 2601 8688 or visit its Green HK Campaign website.