To join hands with the community to create a society where there is no discrimination and no barriers to equal opportunities, the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) announced that applications for the second batch of the 1999/2000 "Community Participation Funding Programme on Equal Opportunities" would start today (20 July 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.

The EOC successfully conducted its funding programme since 1996 with very positive response from the community. In the first batch of the 1999/2000 funding programme, more than $470,000 were allocated to 36 community organizations to promote the concepts and the ordinances related to equal opportunities.

The application deadline for the second batch of the funding programme will be 31 August 1999. The maximum funding limit of each project is $30,000.

Organizations can contact the EOC Office on telephone 2511 8211, or on fax 2511 8142 to obtain details of the programme and application forms.

Enquiry: Ms. Shana WONG      21062218