Off to a good start: The Council for Sustainable Development's Christine Fang says the Sustainable Development Fund has met an overwhelming response, with more than 120 applications for total grants exceeding $130 million in the first round of the scheme.

The Sustainable Development Fund has met an overwhelming response, with more than 120 projects applying for total grants exceeding $130 million in the scheme's first round.

The Council for Sustainable Development's Christine Fang said eight applications involving $7.75 million have been recently approved and the council will announce the results on May 6.

In an interview with news.gov.hk, Ms Fang said the sustainable development concept is based on ensuring our development meets the needs of the present generation without compromising future generations' ability to meet their requirements.

To be sustainable, development must balance economic, environmental and social considerations, Ms Fang added. She is the Education & Publicity Sub-committee Chairman.

Public participation important element

Noting that the idea is an abstract concept, Ms Fang said the message can only be conveyed to the public successfully through practical activities in which the whole community can take part.

To encourage local groups to organise activities that boost public awareness of sustainable development and promote sustainable practices, the Government set up the $100 million fund last year.

Initially, a sum of $10 million a year is available. There are two calls for applications each year.

Commenting on the applications in the first round, Ms Fang said they came from academic institutions, business and community groups, environmental protection organisations and individuals.

"We are looking for projects that can enhance Hong Kong people's understanding of sustainable development, encourage people to put the concept of sustainable development into practice, and demonstrate clearly integration of at least two of the economic, social and environmental aspects of development."

She added that many of the applications were innovative and well-planned, making the selection process rather difficult.

Applications involve range of activities

Mr Fang said the applications involve a range of projects including eco-tours, activities that raise youngsters' awareness of their community and enhance their sense of belonging, as well as environmental protection projects.

She said the sub-committee paid special attention to the degree of public participation the projects offered because it wants more Hong Kong people to take part in the activities. Therefore, applications with an emphasis on research did not take priority.

Among the eight successful applications, about three are community-oriented while some projects focus on cross-sector cooperation.

Ms Fang said the sub-committee has come across a lot of new ideas during the selection exercise and she asked the applicants who failed to win funding this time to make some adjustment to their proposals and consider joining the second round in June.

More promotional initiatives studied

Ms Fang said the sub-committee used to focus on promotion at schools but that it is time to study ways to further spread the idea in the community.

"We are glad that many organisations have expressed their interest in the topic. We will maintain close contact with them, including those unsuccessful applicants, so as to gauge their assistance in promoting the concept in different sectors."

The sub-committee may consider developing different promotional messages and publicity tools for different sectors. Interested groups will then be invited to use them to promote the concept in their own fields, she said.

Recently, the sub-committee has come up with a slogan for promoting the topic: "Share resources, share responsibilities and share the future."

Public engagement process to start in June

Reviewing the work of the Council for Sustainable Development since its establishment last year, Ms Fang said it will start a public engagement process in June with a view to the formulation of a sustainable development strategy for Hong Kong.

The strategy will initially focus on renewable energy, sustainable urban planning and solid-waste management.

Three support groups have been formed to come up with a programme by the end of May and start the public engagement process in June.