Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged opens for new round of applications
The Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged (PFD), managed by the Social Welfare Department (SWD), is inviting 19th round Regular Portion and 12th round Dedicated Portion applications starting from today (December 18). Eligible welfare non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as primary and secondary schools can submit applications from today to 30 October 2026.
The Government set up the Regular Portion of the PFD in 2005 to promote tripartite partnership among the welfare sector, business corporations and the Government by providing matching grants to jointly support the disadvantaged. If a business corporation makes a donation to support welfare NGOs in implementing welfare projects, the fund will provide matching grants. Since the initiation of the Dedicated Portion in 2015, the welfare sector, business community, schools, and the Government have been collaborating to provide more after-school learning and support programmes for primary and secondary students from grassroots families to facilitate their whole-person development.
Through the Regular Portion of the PFD, matching grants totalling over $627 million were approved for collaboration with approximately 1 900 business partners to support over 230 welfare NGOs, implementing around 1 200 welfare projects that have benefited more than 1 million disadvantaged individuals. Additionally, the fund and about 500 business partners have, through the $366 million Dedicated Portion, supported nearly 70 welfare NGOs and 100 schools, implementing about 580 after-school learning and support projects for primary and secondary students from grassroots families, benefiting nearly 140 000 students.
For application details of the new round of the PFD, please visit the following Social Welfare Department webpages or contact the PFD Secretariat (Tel: 3468 2710/3468 2718; Email: pfdenq@swd.gov.hk).
Regular Portion: www.swd.gov.hk/en/svcdesk/funds/partnership/
Dedicated Portion: www.swd.gov.hk/en/svcdesk/funds/dedicatedportion/
Source: AI-found images
Speech by CE at Launch Ceremony of Aircraft Engineering Training Centre
Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Launch Ceremony of Aircraft Engineering Training Centre today (December 18):
Honourable Consul General of France (Consul General of France in Hong Kong, Ms Christile Drulhe), Mr Daniel Derichebourg (Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Elior Group SA), Mrs Vivian Cheung (Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong and Chairman of the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. It is a memorable moment for us to be here for the launch ceremony of the Aircraft Engineering Training Centre. The presence today and the speech by Mr Derichebourg speaks for Hong Kong's internationalisation.
Today marks a major step forward in Hong Kong's determination to rise as Asia's first aircraft recycling and parts-trading centre.
We will do so, I'm delighted to say, in partnership with Elior Group SA. Elior is a leading European aeronautic services company with international expertise in aircraft engineering, dismantling, high-value parts management, and more. Together, we have what we need to build a flourishing regional service supply chain, one that captures the full aviation life cycle.
Hong Kong is a global city located at the heart of Asia. As a "super connector" and "super value-adder", we add value to markets, capital, corporations and opportunities, across borders and regions.
This role is supported by an internationally recognised legal system, a simple tax regime, and a favourable business environment, making Hong Kong an ideal two-way investment centre - for Chinese Mainland companies expanding globally and for international firms accessing the fast-growing markets of our country and the larger Asian region.
Our vital aviation industry embodies these compelling advantages. As a global aviation hub with a world-class airport and an extensive air-services network, Hong Kong has achieved remarkable success, particularly in air cargo - Hong Kong International Airport has been ranked the world's number one air cargo volume airport 14 times since 2010. We are strengthening our position through airport infrastructure developments, like the Three-runway System, and by enhancing professional services such as aircraft leasing.
Building on this robust aviation foundation, ladies and gentlemen, we are now focusing on making Hong Kong a leading aircraft recycling and parts-trading hub in the region. This will create jobs. They will be high-value jobs, better-paid and high-skill jobs.
In achieving that goal, we will drive the development of related industries as well, including trade, insurance, finance, leasing and more, creating new job opportunities and long-term economic benefits for Hong Kong.
And in securing the supply stability of aircraft parts for maintenance, we will ensure the long-term growth of the aviation industry in Hong Kong, our country and beyond.
Realising these ambitions demands a steady supply of skilled aircraft maintenance mechanics and engineers. We entrust that to the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy, in collaboration with Elior.
A world-leading civil aviation training institution, the Academy has trained nearly 400,000 trainees from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas since its establishment in 2016.
As for Elior, it now has a team of expert professionals here in Hong Kong, involved in setting up the Aircraft Engineering Training Centre, which will offer programmes in aircraft engineering, maintenance and airworthiness management.
The first course will be launched in the first quarter of next year, with more courses planned for later in the year. These specialised programmes will meet international benchmarks and industry needs.
With Elior's expertise and the Academy's commitment to expanding aviation talent, I am confident that the Training Centre we inaugurate today will inspire a world-class talent pool, propelling Hong Kong's emergence as Asia's aircraft recycling and parts-trading centre.
The Training Centre's opening is only the beginning. We will work closely with Elior to identify other promising opportunities in the aviation industry. Together, we will soar.
I am grateful to Elior for its commitment to creating a mutually rewarding future with us here in Hong Kong, and throughout Asia. My thanks also go to the Academy and all the industry partners involved, for your contributions in turning this far-reaching vision into boundless reality.
I wish the Training Centre every success, and each of you the best of business, health and well-being in the New Year. Thank you.
Speech by CE at Launch Ceremony of Aircraft Engineering Training Centre Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by CE at Launch Ceremony of Aircraft Engineering Training Centre Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by CE at Launch Ceremony of Aircraft Engineering Training Centre Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by CE at Launch Ceremony of Aircraft Engineering Training Centre Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by CE at Launch Ceremony of Aircraft Engineering Training Centre Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
