The Government today began the ninth phase of recruitment under the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth, with applications due to close on January 8, 2026.

The Home & Youth Affairs Bureau said there are 28 participating committees in this phase, covering a wider spectrum of policy areas.

Participating committees include the Sir David Trench Fund Committee, Standing Committee on Language Education & Research, Electrical Safety Advisory Committee, etc.

In general, each participating committee will offer two seats for appointment.

The bureau encouraged young people aged 18 to 35 who want to serve the community to nominate themselves for appointment.

Applicants must write no more than 600 words or provide a video or audio clip no longer than three minutes, to explain – in either Chinese or English – their suitability for the committee of their choosing.

Assessment panels will consider applicants’ level of commitment to serving the community, their understanding of the policy area concerned, and their analytical and communication skills.

Subject to the actual number of applications received and assessment progress, the assessment is expected to be completed around the third quarter of 2026.

The bureau said the scheme has received an enthusiastic response since its launch.

From the pilot scheme to the last phase of the scheme, a total of about 14,000 applications have been received so far.

The bureau also noted that the scheme has been expanded with a view to increasing the number of participating advisory committees from around 60 in 2022 to no fewer than 180 within the current term of the Government.

About 650 posts are currently held by young people who have been appointed to the Government’s various advisory and statutory bodies through the scheme.

The overall ratio of youth members in these bodies has risen from 7.8% in 2017 to 15.5% in 2024, the bureau added.