HKBN : Talent CSI Fund Launches Two Youth Funding InitiativesBreakthrough model integrates capital, networking and knowledge for holistic support

For immediate release

HKBN Talent CSI Fund Launches Two Youth Funding Initiatives

Breakthrough model integrates capital, networking and knowledge for holistic

support

(Hong Kong - 15 June 2021) Sharing the disruptive DNA of HKBN Group, HKBN Talent CSI Fund ("CSI Fund"), an independently operated charity, today announced the launch of two game-changing social funding initiatives: "404 Not F_und?" and "Zero to Hero Fund". The former encourages youths to unleash their boundless creativity without fear of failure, while the latter helps youths blaze their own future by upgrading work skills, resilience and/or technological capabilities. Besides providing capital support, the CSI Fund will also match the needs and goals of selected projects with the resources and strengths of HKBN Group and its broad network of partners, to ensure their success.

404 Not F_und?: A chance for youthful creativity to shine

Social funding programmes which assess applications based on the likelihood of success, rather than on innovation,= have a knock-on effect of stifling creativity and outside-the-box ideas among youths, who typically lack the resources to even try. CSI Fund's "404 Not F_und?" initiative works differently, prioritising creativity and personal growth by giving youths aged 16 to 29 everything they need - networking, experience and capital - to turn the most outlandish ideas into reality. Accepting applications starting today, CSI Fund will grant up to HK$100,000 in support for each selected project, regardless of success or failure. This way, youths will gain invaluable experiences through the journey, building a solid foundation for future development and success.

Zero to Hero Fund: Supercharging youth support in partnership with SPOs

To massively scale up support throughout the communities, CSI Fund's "Zero to Hero Fund" will sponsor social profit organisations (SPOs) in various innovative and scalable projects aimed at upgrading skillsets and capabilities of youths. Starting today, SPOs can submit applications to receive HK$2 million over a two-year period (up to HK$1 million per year). In addition to funding, CSI Fund will work closely with each organiser for the project's duration, leveraging HKBN Group's technology resources and its network of business and community partners for maximum impact.

CY Chan, Chairman & Director of HKBN Talent CSI Fund, said, "The creativity and inventiveness in youths never ceases to amaze. As a society, we should provide our young talents with the resources and encouragement to dream big! These new initiatives will provide the much needed capital and a robust support network to help our young talents turning their ideas into reality. By working with SPOs, our investments can empower more youths to grow, learn and be inspired ."

For more details about the new funding initiatives under CSI Fund, please visit:

404 Not F_und?":www.csifund.org/en/404notfundZero to Hero Fund:www.csifund.org/en/zerotoherofund

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Summary of "404 Not F_und?" and "Zero to Hero Fund"

Items	404 Not F_und?			Zero to Hero Fund
Funding target	Youths		Social	profit	organisations
			(Organisations	that	create	social
			benefits and value such as non-profit
			organisations,	charities and	social
			enterprises)
Project funding	Up to HK$100,000 per project		Up to HK$2 million (for two years, up to
amount	with a maximum of six projects		HK$1 million per year)
	per year (each project must be
	completed within four months)
Project target	To innovatively improve work skills, resilience and/or
	technological capabilities of youths
Project	• Applicants must be Hong		• Project beneficiaries must be
requirements	Kong residents aged 16 to 29		youths aged 6 to 29
	• Applicants must be in a team		• Applying organisations are
	of at least two members		responsible for planning and
			executing the whole project and
			coming up with a methodology to
			measure effectiveness
Application	15 June to 31 December, 2021		15 June to 30 July, 2021 (by 5pm)
period	(by 5 pm)		(Briefing session will be held on 29
	(Applications will be in three		June 2021. Register here:
	rounds:		https://forms.office.com/r/qqmGeiiCrD)
	1st round - 15 - 30 June 2021
	2nd round - 13 - 30 September
	2021
	3rd round - 13 - 31 December
	2021)
Website	www.csifund.org/en/404notfund		www.csifund.org/en/zerotoherofund

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