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HKCSS-HSBC Social Enterprise Business Centre
The HKCSS-HSBC Social Enterprise Business Centre, Hong Kong's first business centre to promote cross-sectoral collaboration on social enterprise development, was newly launched to offer diverse services to the social enterprises in Hong Kong with participation of business volunteers including HSBC employees as mentors.
The Centre is jointly funded by the Hongkong Bank Foundation and the Social Welfare Department Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged. Each partner has committed to providing HK$2 million over three years. Operated by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, the new Centre is a showcase of tripartite partnership represented by the Government, NGOs and the private sector.
"It is perhaps only natural for people to see this new centre as an example of a partnership between business and government and community organisations. However, I tend to see the centre as being less of a partnership and more of a relationship. A relationship like we have within all of our families. This centre is an excellent example of family helping family."
Vincent Cheng
Chairperson, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
About HKCSS-HSBC Social Enterprise Business Centre
- consultancy services to assist social enterprises to identify social problems, develop business plans and identify funding resources
- training programmes and mutual learning workshops to share good social enterprise practices
- an online marketing and sales platform (www.se-mart.org.hk) for social enterprises to use
- a Social Angel programme to recruit business volunteers of diverse expertise to provide consultancy services and advices to social enterprises
- a social investment programme to act as a platform for social investors to invest in social enterprise projects with the help of objective tools developed for measuring the social impact of social enterprises
- McKinsey & Company
- JSM
- KPMG
- The Law Society of Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Hong Kong Institute of Marketing
"The new centre represents a significant achievement of this new tripartite partnership, represented by the Government, NGOs and the private sector. Despite the present backdrop of a deteriorating economic climate, we foresee opportunities for social enterprises in Hong Kong. The SEBC will work closely with social enterprise projects to seize these opportunities to serve society and meet both their social and financial bottom lines."
Bernard Chan
Chairperson of Hong Kong Council of Social Service
"HSBC places frequent orders for the cookies prepared by our trainees. This can provide training and employment opportunities for our trainees. HSBC also leverages their expertise to provide advice to improve our operations."
Nora Wong
General Secretary, Hong Chi Association
Last modified date: January 2009
The HKCSS-HSBC Social Enterprise Business Centre was officially launched by the Guest-of-Honour the Hon Henry Tang, Chief Secretary for Administration of Hong Kong SAR Government (centre), and officiating guests Vincent Cheng, Chairman, HSBC in Asia-Pacific (right) and Bernard Chan, Chairperson of Hong Kong Council of Social Service (left).
The launch ceremony of the HKCSS-HSBC Social Enterprise Business Centre was highly anticipated, signaling a new phase of tripartite efforts that involve the government, NGOs and HSBC.
(From left to right): Mr Henry Tang , Teresa Au and Mr Bernard Chan learned about the practice from a social enterprise in the launch ceremony taking place at HSBC Main Building in Central.
Vincent and Teresa noted the talent of people with intellectual disabilities who used traditional Japanese weaving machine to make diverse Safori products.
The launch ceremony was attended by over 250 guests including 10 social enterprises that showcased their services and products.
We work with HKCSS to leverage the business connections HSBC enjoys with partners and customers, and hopefully the social enterprises in Hong Kong would run according to a business model, in which they can generate enough income to become self-sustainable.
Teresa Au
Head of Corporate Sustainability
Asia Pacific Region
