The Women Empowerment Fund was officially launched today with Financial Secretary Paul Chan and Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak officiating at its launch ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Chan said that the Government attaches great importance to supporting women's development. After the Chief Executive announced in the 2022 Policy Address the establishment of the fund, the Government has set aside $100 million in this year's Budget to strengthen support for women's development.

This provision will be injected into the fund to subsidise women's organisations and relevant non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to further facilitate women's development of their own potential and self-enhancement. The fund will also help with child care to meet the needs of working women.

Miss Mak encouraged women's organisations and relevant NGOs to apply for and make good use of the fund to organise programmes conducive to women's development so as to achieve their empowerment.

She added that the Government will continue to work with the community to provide an enabling environment for women and inspire more of them to advance at the forefront of the times.

The fund aims to empower women, regardless of their age, occupation and background, to unleash their full potential in their respective roles.

The fund is divided into general projects and thematic projects. The funding cap of each one-year and two-year general project is $400,000 and $800,000 respectively. For thematic projects this year, ie the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Exchange Programmes, each project shall be completed within one year with a funding cap of $120,000.

The fund holds two application rounds each year and the first round is now open. The application guide and form have been uploaded to the thematic website. Women's organisations and NGOs may submit applications on or before July 7.