The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) is funding more community programmes to promote acceptance of equal opportunities in Hong Kong. This year, the Commission is committed to sponsor projects related to gender equality, workplace best practices and improving awareness of the Family Status Discrimination Ordinance (FSDO).

Every year, the EOC's Community Participation Funding Programme on Equal Opportunities targets community organizations and schools to carry out projects in promoting equal opportunities and eliminating discrimination on the grounds of family status, sex, marital status, pregnancy and disability. Since 1996, a total of 486 projects have been funded by the EOC to promote public awareness of equal opportunities, through a variety of community programmes.

This year, projects promoting equal opportunities for persons with family status, in addition to gender equality and equal employment opportunities (such as those promoting anti-discrimination policies and practices in the workplace), will be accorded higher priority. Under the FSDO, "family status" means the status of having responsibility for the care of an "immediate family member", who is a person related by blood, marriage, adoption or affinity. Discrimination against someone on the ground of family status in certain areas such as employment, education, and provision of goods, facilities and services is unlawful.

Funding applications to the EOC should clearly explain how the planned activities would promote equal opportunities, and/or foster anti-discriminatory attitudes and behaviours. This year, the first deadline for applications is 18 April 2006, and the second deadline is 31 July 2006. The maximum funding limit of each project is $30,000.

Interested organizations can contact the EOC Office at tel : 2511 8211, or on fax 2877 7600 to obtain details of the programme and funding application forms, or visit our homepage at https://www.eoc.org.hk/en/news-and-events/events-and-programmes/eoc-events/community-participation-funding-programme.