Sustainable Development Report 2020
中
SwireTHRIVE – Communities

Position our community initiative as
part of our core business value

Communities



>300,000  people

helped through our COVID-19 relief programmes in 2020



~HK$43M

distributed by the Swire Group Charitable Trust to support education, marine conservation and the arts



~HK$42M

in cash and in-kind donations to the community by our operating companies

Community is not separate from our business – it is core to it. We recognise that when the communities in which we operate prosper, so do we. As neighbours and employers, we want to be responsible and involved members of those communities.

The goal of our community work is to create a better future by building stronger communities. We envision a flourishing world of diversity where all members of society have opportunities for a meaningful life, and where resources are sustained for future generations.

We support the local communities in which we operate through the Swire Group Charitable Trust (the Trust). Operating companies also make direct contributions to the communities in which they operate.

The Trust aims to make positive changes in education, marine conservation and the arts through support for charitable organisations in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland.

The Trust is funded by annual contributions from companies in the Swire Pacific group. It is overseen by the Philanthropy Council, which is chaired by a member of senior management, and has tax-exempt charitable status in Hong Kong. Guided by the Swire motto – Esse Quam Videri – the Trust is motivated by altruism and acts for the direct benefit of society and the greater good.

Education

To enhance education equity, quality and innovation for disadvantaged children and youth.

Marine Conservation

To help create sustainable marine ecosystems in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland through policy change, public engagement and scientific research.

Arts

To promote an inclusive arts sector, and to use art to address social issues.

To celebrate Swire’s 150th year in Hong Kong and reaffirm our commitment to the place that has helped us prosper for so many years, Swire has injected an additional HK$150 million into the Trust to fund TrustTomorrow.

We aim to address long-term challenges. But we also support the most vulnerable in our communities in times of crisis. In 2020, the Trust provided practical and timely assistance to those most affected by COVID-19. We contributed HK$21 million to 13 COVID-19 relief programmes in Hong Kong. We addressed basic needs and family wellbeing and built social capital.

  1. Basic needs: We provided food, rental subsidies and antiviral coating spray for special schools and to tenants of subdivided residential units.
  2. Family wellbeing: With NGOs, we provided online learning and leisure activities for children and their families to lessen the impact of prolonged social distancing.
  3. Building social capital: We helped NGOs to work safely and creatively during COVID-19. We helped people to help themselves and others.

2020 COVID-19 relief programmes

Theme
  • All
  • Basic needs
  • Family wellbeing
  • Building social capital
Partner organisation Project name Project details Grant approved (HK$) Project status Number of beneficiaries7
The Hong Kong Council of Social Service Distributing hand sanitisers for the needy Distributed 72,000 anti-epidemic packs to disadvantaged families and individuals and 18,000 bottles of hand sanitisers to NGOs $4,692,876 Completed 90,240 individuals
The Hong Kong Council of Social Service Community Fund to Fight COVID-19 Donated between HK$50K to HK$100K to each of 25 NGOs:

- Provided services, information or other support to disadvantaged communities to fight COVID-19

- Strengthened sanitation and hygiene for NGOs, helping them to provide services to disadvantaged groups safely		 $2,984,812 Completed 41,978 individuals
St. James’ Settlement Short-term food assistance through FOOD-CO Express Provided short-term food assistance through St. James’ Settlement’s FOOD-CO platform $5,000,000 Completed 5,000 individuals
HandsOn Hong Kong Limited Care packages for the most vulnerable Provided 315 relief care packages for Hong Kong’s vulnerable communities, including weekly household necessities $110,250 Completed 945 individuals
The Hong Kong Council of Social Service HKCSS Subdivided Unit Subsidy Programme Supported those in subdivided residential units who could not pay rent $2,500,000 Completed 1,500 individuals
Swire Organisation for Youth Arts Supporting SEWomen “Reusable Mask + Holder” charity sale Purchased 160 sets of reusable masks made by disadvantaged women for the Trust’s NGO partners $14,080 Completed 160 individuals
St. James’ Settlement Short-term food assistance through Joyful Express Project Provided underprivileged families and individuals (including those from ethnic minorities) with food, daily necessities and employment opportunities $6,147,375 In progress 8,045 individuals
Chiaphua Industries Limited Antiviral Coating for Vulnerable Groups Provided antiviral coating for special education needs schools and those in subdivided residential units $4,000,000 In progress 88,225 individuals
The Hong Kong Council of Social Service

Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council

InspiringHK Sports Foundation Limited

Playright Children’s Play Association

The Zubin Mahtani Gidumal Foundation Limited		 Building Community, Building Tung Chung (Phase 1) Provided food coupons to underprivileged families, including those from low-income ethnic minorities in Tung Chung

Provided online activities to families and children to improve their wellbeing 		$2,024,500 In progress 1,000 individuals
Swire Organisation for Youth Arts Noodles for Love Donation Sponsored 4,000 noodle packs for the disadvantaged at Swire Properties’ Noodles for Love event $310,000 Completed 4,281 individuals
Microsoft Digital Transformation for Tomorrow - AI for Good Challenge Launched a challenge for start-ups to come up with artificial intelligence solutions to help NGOs with marine conservation $70,000 Completed 3 NGOs
Multiple NGOs Digital Transformation for Tomorrow – See You Online Provided online content and services to help NGOs to serve their beneficiaries safely and creatively during COVID-19 $600,000 Ongoing 14 NGOs
Total Brand Activation Hong Kong Ltd Digital Transformation for Tomorrow - Digital Transformation Fund Helped NGOs to improve their digital capabilities, enabling them to address COVID-19 challenges and assisting their long term development $120,000 Completed 6 NGOs

7 The data shows estimated numbers for in progress projects and confirmed numbers for completed projects.

Providing fresh food to the needy

TrustTomorrow, with St. James Settlement’s FOOD-CO platform, supplied underprivileged people in Hong Kong with fresh…

TrustTomorrow, with St. James Settlement’s FOOD-CO platform, supplied underprivileged people in Hong Kong with fresh and nutritious food. Fresh food packs, containing vegetables and chilled meat, were delivered. Deliveries were made in neighbourhoods by people from the neighbourhoods, enabling them to support themselves with an income while giving back to their communities.

One of the beneficiaries, Ms Wong, is also a volunteer. She distributes fresh food packs and cooks extra food for elderly people who live alone. She is an excellent example of how we help people to help themselves.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqtD2pJxj8g

Read more

Keeping SEN students safe at school

Providing a clean and safe environment at special education needs (SEN) boarding schools and in subdivided residential…

Providing a clean and safe environment at special education needs (SEN) boarding schools and in subdivided residential units has been difficult during COVID-19.

SEN boarding schools cater for students with severe physical disabilities. Antiviral coating spray is essential to ensure a clean and safe environment for students and staff. TrustTomorrow funded antiviral coating spray for 15 SEN boarding schools and for over 80,000 people in subdivided residential units.

Read more

Stay home with us: See you online

With NGOs, TrustTomorrow introduced “See You Online”, an online programme supporting mental wellbeing during prolonged…

With NGOs, TrustTomorrow introduced “See You Online”, an online programme supporting mental wellbeing during prolonged social distancing. It includes storytelling, arts and yoga classes.

  • The Trust funds The Joshua Hellmann Foundation for Orphan Disease (“JHF”), providing children suffering from rare diseases and special needs with arts and yoga therapy, so as to focus and manage their emotions. In November 2020, we invited yoga therapists from JHF to conduct online yoga sessions for children.
  • Through NGOs, the Trust has made available online parent-child activities that foster a love of reading. Storyteller Auntie Choi conducted online children’s book reading sessions.
Read more

Building Community, Building Tung Chung

“Building Community, Building Tung Chung” is a partnership between TrustTomorrow, the Hong Kong Council of Social…

“Building Community, Building Tung Chung” is a partnership between TrustTomorrow, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and four Tung Chung NGOs. It supports underprivileged Tung Chung families, including low-income ethnic minority families, during COVID-19, concentrating on food, hygiene and family wellbeing.

From October 2020, meal coupons were provided to the underprivileged to ease their financial burden. Online sports, leisure activities and career planning activities have been organised.

Read more

In 2020, we supported 34 education, marine conservation and arts programmes.

Arts

HK$19,386,350

Education

HK$19,654,341

Marine conservation

HK$4,206,897

The following projects were active during 2020:

Area8
  • All
  • Arts
  • Education
  • Marine conservation
Partner organisation Project name Project details Grant approved (HK$) Project status
(as at 31 Dec 2020)
Bloom Association Hong Kong Limited Hong Kong Reef Fish Survey Citizen science project that aims to improve the knowledge of reef fish in Hong Kong through underwater surveys by volunteers $2,700,000 Completed
The University of Hong Kong SWIMS-FishBase/ SeaLifeBase Collaboration on International Marine Databases Improving the databases of fish and non-fish marine animals $1,004,000 Completed
The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society Waterbird Census and Wetland Conservation in the Chinese mainland Enabling local conservation groups to help conserve intertidal wetlands in the Chinese mainland through a bird census and public education $2,159,000 Completed
The University of Hong Kong The Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS) Expansion Expanding and upgrading SWIMS facilities $30,000,000 In progress
The Hong Kong Philharmonic Society Limited General Funding Supporting the orchestra’s mission, development and activities, to inspire and expand musical appreciation in Hong Kong $46,377,000 In progress
Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation Spark! Arts Programme for Children in Small Group Homes Providing free, high-quality visual and performing arts activities for children in small group homes $2,306,000 In progress
Grwth Foundation Limited DreamStarter Promoting experiential learning so as to foster students’ ability to be creative for social good $2,700,000 In progress
Joshua Hellman Foundation for Orphan Disease Art in Your Life I Yoga in Your Heart Providing arts and yoga therapy sessions for children with rare diseases and special needs, so as to address their physical, social and emotional needs $1,999,000 In progress
World Wide Fund For Nature Hong Kong Sea For Future II Setting conservation targets for marine habitats and expanding marine protected areas in Hong Kong $2,998,802 In progress
The Education University of Hong Kong Supporting Unit for Special Education Needs (SuSEN) Phase 2 Support to SuSEN to enable it to develop into a regional special educational needs knowledge transfer centre $2,990,000 In progress
Life Education Activity Programme General Funding Support for LEAP’s mission to prevent substance abuse by providing health-based education programmes for primary and secondary students $15,000,000 In progress
The ADM Capital Foundation Limited Hong Kong Sustainable Seafood Coalition (HKSSC) Support for HKSSC’s promotion of responsible seafood sourcing in Hong Kong $2,250,000 In progress
Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong General Funding Support to promote the arts and artistic talent among persons with disabilities, so as to create equal opportunities for them in the arts sector and to foster social integration $7,500,000 In progress
The Incorporated Management Committee of Taikoo Primary School General Funding Support for the school’s English and Mandarin language teaching and for special projects $9,000,000 In progress
Multiple NGOs Arts Access Fund Providing financial resources for disadvantaged persons to access arts and cultural events in Hong Kong $250,000 In progress
Madison Communications Ltd (MCL) and Various Organisations Hong Kong Marine Policy Alliance Consultancy in relation to Swire Trust’s marine conservation work and assistance in forming a coalition that aims to achieve a public policy and legal framework for the protection of Hong Kong’s marine ecosystem $5,000,000 In progress
Shakespeare4All Company Limited S4A Community Theatre HUB Fostering experiential learning for children through English drama education $990,000 In progress
Hong Kong Maritime Museum Limited Museum Architect Fee Sponsorship of a museum architect fee $35,500 Completed
InspiringHK Sports Foundation Limited Well Dunk! Public Estate Basketball League and Training Programme 2020-2021 Providing professional coaching to three public housing estate youth basketball teams so as to foster basketball skills, personal growth, positive attitudes and engagement in community development $379,500 In progress
Time Auction Limited Mobilizing Volunteers for Good Creating a digital matching platform to help NGOs recruit skilled volunteers $2,913,000 In progress
Resolve Foundation Limited disABILITIES Empowerment and Leadership Training for Community Inclusion Supporting the 2020 Fellowship Programme, which aims to train future community leaders from the local disability community about leadership, rights awareness and campaigning skills $607,000 In progress
Habitat For Humanity Hong Kong Limited Project Home Works Providing home improvements for children from 65 vulnerable families, so as to provide a decent living and study environment $1,494,000 In progress
The Hong Kong Philharmonic Society Limited; Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts The Orchestra Academy Enhancing professional training for distinguished graduates from HKAPA’s School of Music, who will contribute their talents to serve the community $8,996,000 Ongoing
CareER Association Limited Development of a Disability Inclusion Index and Strategy Framework for Employers in Hong Kong Providing support to develop the city’s first Disability Inclusion Index (DII) and toolkits for employers so as to promote employment opportunities for the disabled and to expand the talent pool for local companies $2,400,000 In progress
The Zubin Mahtani Gidumal Foundation Limited Supporting ethnic minority youth with scholarships Supporting scholarship opportunities for ethnic minorities and offering scholarships to financially disadvantaged ethnic minority students $1,158,000 In progress
Ms Joyce Choi (Choi EE) parent-child reading enthusiast and consultant Taikoo Primary School – Build Reading Culture Creating a culture of reading in schools and at home so as to promote mental and emotional development, imagination and language skills in children and their relationships with parents $1,338,000 In progress
Bring Me A Book Hong Kong Limited Taikoo Primary School - Build Reading Culture Creating a culture of reading in schools and at home so as to promote mental and emotional development, imagination and language skills in children and their relationships with parents $32,660 Completed
Taikoo Primary School Taikoo Primary School - Build Reading Culture Creating a culture of reading in schools and at home so as to promote mental and emotional development, imagination and language skills in children and their relationships with parents $36,980 Completed
The Outward Bound Trust of Hong Kong Limited Foundations for Success Providing peacebuilding leadership learning experiences for disadvantaged young people so as to cultivate compassionate and resilient citizens with a sense of community who will be effective contributors to Hong Kong $5,427,960 In progress
Vocational Training Council The Swire Sky-Flyer Work-integrated Learning Programme Equipping VTC students with professional knowledge and skills for future careers, and providing scholarships and subsistence allowances for work placements $5,379,000 In progress
Bloom Association Hong Kong Limited 114˚E Hong Kong Reef Fish Survey 2.0* Supporting underwater surveys of reef fishes in Hong Kong waters and promoting long-term monitoring of marine protected areas $2,415,300 In progress
National Geographic Oceans Tomorrow Demonstrating Hong Kong’s marine biodiversity to individuals, businesses and policy makers, encouraging them to participate in marine conservation $7,000,000 In progress
HK Maritime Museum Swire Marine Discovery Centre (capital works) and Marine Science Learning Programme Creating a marine science learning platform with the aim of increasing public awareness of marine conservation and biodiversity $15,000,000 In progress
HandsOn Hong Kong Limited Swire volunteer matching programme Matching Swire volunteers to NGOs $135,550 In progress
The University of Hong Kong (The Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS) SWIMS-FishBase/SeaLifeBase phase II Collaboration on International Marine Databases Creating standardised and reliable data to assist the development of marine-related policies and strategies $1,305,507 In progress

8 Projects are categorised by their main area of focus, but many projects support more than one area.

Our operating companies contribute directly to the communities in which we operate. We want to connect our projects in order to learn from each other. We aim to operate in a way that builds our business, our people and the communities in which we operate.

Property Aviation Beverages Marine Services Trading & Industrial
Total value of cash contributions (HK$) $9,178,285 $557,916 $16,852,849 $2,368,203 $38,515
Value of in-kind contributions (HK$) $5,189,398 $507,241 $6,648,293 - $504,502
Volunteer hours 2,170 927 28,862 350 99

TrustTomorrow supports (i) inspirational projects that can make positive changes in education, marine conservation and the arts and (ii) vulnerable groups who most need help, in particular as a result of COVID-19. We will do more. We aim to support Hong Kong in the present difficult times and to enable the children in our communities to enjoy a better tomorrow.

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