The Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund (SIE Fund) Task Force today (August 16) invited proposals from institutions/organisations that are interested in taking forward the Digital Inclusion Programme for the Elderlies.
In order to help the elderly integrate into the digital era and enjoy the benefits brought about by digital technologies, the Government announced in the 2024-25 Budget that the SIE Fund would allocate $100 million to implement the Digital Inclusion Programme for the Elderlies in the coming three years for the elderly aged 60 or above. The programme aims at setting up community-based help desks at suitable locations (e.g. community centres) in various districts to provide regular and fixed-point training on digital technologies and technical support for the elderly, particularly singleton or doubleton elderly living in older districts and public housing. The programme covers topics on smartphone operation, the use of digital government services (e.g. "iAM Smart" and other common government mobile applications) and cyber security, etc, to enhance the elderly's capability in adopting digital technologies.
In addition to providing basic support services, the institutions/organisations engaged for the programme are required to implement the project with innovative approaches, for example, engaging young people to, through employment or volunteer work, make good use of their digital knowledge to help the elderly enhance their knowledge and adoption of digital technologies, and establishing community help desks by creating environments familiar to the elderly (such as café, traditional Chinese restaurant) to help them adapt more easily.
The SIE Fund has prepared the invitation brief setting out the scope of intermediary services, eligibility, assessment criteria and points to note for submitting proposals, as well as key engagement terms. Interested institutions/organisations can download the invitation brief and designated proforma at the SIE Fund website (www.sie.gov.hk/en/what-we-do/digital_inclusion_programme_for_the_elderlies.html). All submitted documents must be placed in a sealed envelope clearly marked with "The Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund – Proposal for the Digital Inclusion Programme for the Elderlies", and must reach the Digital Policy Office at 14/F, Treasury Building, 3 Tonkin Street West, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon, at or before 6pm on September 13, 2024 (Friday). For further information and inquiries, please visit the SIE Fund website or contact the SIE Fund Task Force Secretariat at 2165 7261.
The SIE Fund was inaugurated in 2013 and is overseen by the SIE Fund Task Force under the Commission on Poverty. The Task Force Secretariat is established in the Digital Policy Office under the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau. The SIE Fund acts as a catalyst for social innovation in Hong Kong. By facilitating social innovation and cultivating social entrepreneurship, the Fund aims to make an impact in alleviating poverty and social exclusion, promote social integration as well as enhance the well-being and cohesion of society.
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