HKJC Pledges HK$70 Million to Enhance Cross-Border Social Services in Greater Bay Area
Thestandard · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has pledged nearly HK$70 million to fund a new three-year initiative aimed at enhancing cross-boundary social welfare services for Hong Kong residents living in mainland China. The funding will support the "Jockey Club • Connecting Hearts: Moving Ahead" programme, which is designed to foster regional collaboration and upgrade the skills of local social welfare professionals. With a rising number of Hong Kong citizens choosing to work, live, and retire in the Greater Bay Area, the demand for integrated and innovative social services has surged.
Key Points
- The HKJC Charities Trust is backing a three-year programme operated by Connecting Hearts Limited to support Hong Kong residents on the mainland .
- The initiative officially launched on Tuesday with a launch ceremony and pilot class attended by approximately 400 participants .
- Senior figures at the launch included Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han and Jockey Club Steward Bernard Charnwut Chan .
- The programme will equip nearly 1,800 social welfare professionals with leadership skills and innovative thinking to tackle modern challenges .
- The scheme is built upon two main pillars: capacity building and regional integration, including specialised courses for mid-level management .
Why It Matters
As more Hong Kong residents relocate to the Greater Bay Area for work, retirement, or family reasons, the need for coordinated social welfare services across the border becomes increasingly urgent. This substantial funding injection demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing welfare gaps before they escalate, while also encouraging social welfare practitioners to align with national development strategies. The programme's focus on building professional capacity could establish a model for future cross-boundary social service collaboration in the region.
As more Hong Kong residents relocate to the Greater Bay Area for work, retirement, or family reasons, the need for coordinated social welfare services across the border becomes increasingly urgent. This substantial funding injection demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing welfare gaps before they escalate, while also encouraging social welfare practitioners to align with national development strategies. The programme's focus on building professional capacity could establish a model for future cross-boundary social service collaboration in the region.