The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) announced its 2000/2001 "Community Participation Funding Programme on Equal Opportunities" today (29 February 1999). The funding programme aims to encourage community organizations to carry out projects in promoting equal opportunities and eliminating discrimination on the grounds of sex, marital status, pregnancy, family status and disability.

There will be two batches to receive application under this year's funding programme. The deadline for the first batch will be 31 March 2000 and that for the second will be 31 August 2000. The maximum funding limit of each project is $60,000. The EOC aims to join hands with the community to create a society where there is no discrimination and no barriers to equal opportunities.

The EOC has offered this funding programme since 1996/97 with very positive response from the community. A total of 171 organizations have been funded to date to carry out activities promoting public awareness on equal opportunity laws.

Interested organizations can contact the EOC Office on telephone 2511 8211, or on fax 2511 8142 to obtain details of the programme and application forms, or visit our Homepage at http://www.eoc.org.hk

29 February 2000

For media enquiries, please contact :

Shana WONG

Senior Equal Opportunities Officer

(Tel.) 2106 2218

(Fax) 2511 8142

Enquiry: Ms. Shana WONG      21062218