Funding sources and support for social enterprise start-ups will be reviewed to determine whether additional aid is required, Financial Secretary Henry Tang says.

He made the remarks after the Commission on Poverty, which he chairs, endorsed the social enterprise development and the proposed district pilot "My STEP" at its meeting today.

Mr Tang said social enterprises offer unique potential for multi-party and multi-disciplinary co-operation among NGOs, the business sector, academics and the Government.

Members agreed the proposal should be carefully developed so as not to displace other businesses, especially small and medium enterprises, and blunt their enterprising spirit, which is key to their sustainability.

They noted the administration's intention to use part of the net proceeds of the Personalised Vehicle Registration Marks Scheme to fund pilot projects of social enterprises aiming to help the able-bodied unemployed to rejoin the job market.

Careful deliberation

Mr Tang said he is impressed by the spirit and achievements of some social enterprises, many of which are successful and sustainable businesses offering good quality products and services, while at the same time providing training and work opportunities for the disadvantaged in a real work environment.

He said there is good potential for it to develop to aid the unemployed as well.

As the concept of developing social enterprises to help the unemployed integrate into the job market is relatively new in Hong Kong, members agreed on an action plan to explore its potential, including:

* mapping social enterprise development in Hong Kong, drawing on relevant experience overseas;

* organising forums to establish the value of, and gain public support for, social enterprises to help the unemployed;

* drawing up proposals to foster training of social entrepreneurs and create a business-mentoring network; and,

* identifying administrative or legal barriers that could hinder the development of social enterprises at district level and in specific sectors.

My STEP

Members also discussed the proposed My STEP - Special Training & Enhancement Programme, which will be trialled initially in Tin Shui Wai, Sham Shui Po and Kwun Tong for one year.

The proposal will be considered in greater detail by the Task Force on Children & Youth.

Because of the rising number of young people both receiving CSSA, and staying on it longer, the pilot aims to provide more focused help to unemployed youths through tailor-made motivation programmes and job placement.

The pilot also aims to learn from the experience of existing support programmes for unemployed youths.