Future development: Prinicipal Assistant Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food (Family) Freely Cheng, Community Investment & Inclusion Fund Committee Acting Chairperson Sophia Kao, and the fund's Project Management Officer Grace Ng explain the fund's future development.

The 4th Community Investment & Inclusion Fund Forum cum Project Expo will be held at the Convention & Exhibition Centre on November 2.

The fund's committee acting chairperson Sophia Kao said today the Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr York Chow, a representative from the Asia Development Bank and a number of guests will speak at the forum on the sustainability and development of social capital.

Co-ordinators of about 70 projects subsidised by the fund will share their experiences. There will also be a session to pay tribute to the late Dr Raymond Wu, the fund's founding chair.

Biggest challenges

Noting social capital involves social structure, connection and values, Ms Kao said the biggest challenges for the fund are how to develop social capital and maintain its sustainability.

She said the fund will promote community building and develop new partnerships models. A total of 116 projects involving $100 million have been approved since the fund's launch in August 2002. Over 2,700 partner organisations have taken part in the projects, establishing more than 200 mutual-support networks.

She said many projects have helped needy people strengthen their skills, giving them the knowledge and courage to earn a living and offer help to others.

The Sunny Community Programme in Tung Chung is one of the projects supported by the fund. It establishes co-operative groups inviting the grassroots to offer cooking, computer repairs, home cleaning and design services.

Since the programme started in 2004, it has set up 10 co-operative groups, created over 150 job opportunities and helped 458 families.

Apprenticeship programme

The Red Apprenticeship, an employability enhancement scheme, is another successful project subsidised by the fund.

Under the scheme, about 170 youngsters in the New Territories have apprenticed to 50 volunteers, learning different working and social skills. Over 20 companies have joined the scheme, offering jobs to those completing the training.