Innovators.Social Innovation Journey

Due to the ongoing concerns of global warming and air pollution, people are unwaveringly working for sustainable development and environmental protection. To build a better environment in the future, further studies by the public, especially the youth with innovative thinking is essential.

“Innovators.Social Innovation Journey” aims to train Hong Kong’s Secondary 3 to 5 students to become innovators. Learning social innovation skills, awareness and understanding of the new trend of social innovation and sustainable development from multiple perspectives, and finding ways to solve community problems through design thinking. The above-mentioned project provides theoretical study and field trips to the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Professional tutors will also be arranged to guide students to break out of established thinking, put themselves into the perspectives of different classes and communities, and encourage them to launch solutions for social progress.

 

Organiser

The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups

Sponsored by

Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation

 

Target group

“Innovators.Social Innovation Journey” provides a six-month social innovation training for up to eight Secondary 3 to 5 students from each of the 10 successful secondary schools. A total of 80 secondary school students.

 

Project Description

  • Social Innovation Training Workshops
  • Professional Mentor Consultations
  • Three-day field trip in GBA
  • Sharing Sessions

Participating students have to join all sections of the event and submit their social innovation proposals under the theme of “Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection”. During the six months, the students will apply their social innovation knowledge and skills, make full use of their experiences of the field trip, and revise their proposals after consulting with professional instructors Students will deliver their final presentations in the sharing session to compete for the first, second and third-place awards. The winning team will receive a trophy and a book coupon (value: HK$5,000 for the first place; HK$3,000 for the second place; HK$2,000 for the third place), as well as video shooting and media promotion opportunities. Students with 80% or more attendance will receive a certificate of completion.

 

Event details (subject to the latest notification of schedule changes)

Social Innovation Training Workshops

Venue: YO PLACE(16/F, 9 Des Voeux Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong)

 

The 10 training courses and workshops will be as follows:

Date Time Theme
11 April 2023

(Tuesday)

08:30-18:30
  • Understanding social innovation and sustainable development model in the GBA
  • Social Innovation and Design Thinking
  • Social Enterprise and Social Innovation(Introduce the concept of social enterprise and social innovation in the GBA, and invite sustainable social enterprises to share experiences and exchange ideas)
12 April 2023 (Wednesday) 12:30-18:30
  • Mastering Big Data Analytics – studying social issues in the GBA
  • Commonly used social indicators (SROI) and finding value
13 April 2023 (Thursday) 12:30-18:30
  • Business model – draft a business plan
14 April 2023

(Friday)

08:30-18:30
  • Hands-on marketing skills, application concepts and tools
  • Pitching skills practice
  • Simulated presentations – improve presentation skills

 

Professional Mentor Consultations

Professional mentors are invited to provide advice on the students’innovative and creative solutions to prepare for the sharing session.

 

Three-Day  GBA’s Field trip and Ideas Exchange: Case Study and Learning from Cities in the GBA

A three-day-two-night trip will be arranged to the GBA so that participants will get a first-hand feel for the history and business culture of the area, and actively explore the elements of social innovation through interactive exchanges to gain more inspiration. Professional mentors will guide group discussions with applicants.

 

Arrangement of Enterprise Visit:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Shenzhen

Guangzhou

Zhuhai

 

Reference schedule (for reference only, subject to final actual adjustment)

Date

Time period

Event

Objective

Day1

Morning

  • Take high-speed railway to Shenzhen
  • Visit Shenzhen’s environmental landmarks and embark on a city exploration tour.

Through visiting the construction of the Green GBA, think about how to strengthen the cooperation between the two places and contribute to the future development of the GBA

Afternoon

  • Visit the Dual Innovation Base and listen to the sharing of the representatives of Hong Kong young entrepreneurs based there

Evening

  • Group discussion and exchange of ideas

The exchange of insights after the full-day event guided by professional instructors enabled participants to open their eyes and discover the opportunities in the GBA

Day2

Morning

  • Visit to Guangzhou
  • Visit Digital Technology Company

Learn about urban planning and gain insight into how to implement innovative ideas to help society grow sustainably

Afternoon

  • Volunteer activities or experience workshops in cooperation with local charity organisations or social enterprises

Conducted study tours and exchanges with local youths to understand the innovative ideas of mainland students and youths on building the GBA and promoting sustainable development

Evening

  • Group discussion

Under the guidance of professional instructors, exchange ideas after the full-day event and inspire participants to conceive their social innovation plans

Day3

Morning

  • Visit to Zhuhai
  • Visiting different pilot co-operation zones to see the development of emerging industries in Zhuhai, including new energy, new light sources, new materials, high-end equipment manufacturing, green household appliances, agriculture, etc.

Visited Zhuhai to observe the development of emerging industries and listened to the sharing of experts to understand the planning of smart city construction in China in terms of policy guidance, technology development and talent access

Returning to Hong Kong to consolidate insights and experiences from the visit

Afternoon

  • Visit the dual innovation base
  • Listen to an expert sharing on the topic of “Building a Benchmark Smart City”
  • Talking with innovation companies about the concept of carbon neutrality and the opportunities it brings to young people
  • Return to Hong Kong by bus via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge or by ferry

 

Contingency Plan:

A contingency plan is hence prepared in case of any changes. Should the visit to the GBA be impossible, visits in Hong Kong will be arranged, which include tours, thematic lectures and                      workshops.

 

Eligibility

  • Secondary 3 to 5 students(aged about 15 to 18)
  • Apply as a school with no more than 8 people per school
  • Students who want to improve soft skills such as social innovation, analytical ability, and public speaking through the project
  • Participating students must be recommended by the principal or teacher

 

Registration fee

Participating students must participate in all the activities in the plan, and a tour fee of HK$800 per person will be charged for the three-day, two-night visit to the GBA.

Regular Price Discount price after reduction and exemption of scheme subsidies

(Participants must register as members of HKFYG)

HKD 1,998 per person HK$800 per person

 

Remarks

  1. Successful schools will receive an email notification from the secretariat and must pay the activity fee before the first phase of the activity begins;
  2. The tour fee includes three days and two nights of visits, accommodation, transportation, and all other activities. If you miss any of the activities in the plan, the tour fee will not be refunded;
  3. Each school is limited to 1 teacher per tour at a discounted price, and additional accompanying teachers must pay the regular price of the tour;
  4. Parents who join the group at their own expense must pay the regular price of the group;
  5. Basic travel insurance is included in the tour price, participants may purchase additional insurance if needed;
  6. The above charges do not include the price difference between single rooms;
  7. If the number of participants changes or the participant specifically requests additional services such as meals and transportation, the participant shall be charged separately.

 

Refund Policy

  • The activity fee is non-refundable. If the scheduled activity is affected by force majeure such as natural disasters, inclement weather, etc., the corresponding event will be rescheduled on another date. Details are subject to notification by email from the Secretariat at that time;
  • The activity fee will be non-transferable after the start of the first session of the training course.

 

Application schedule

Procedures Date
Submit Online Application 15 February 2023 (Wednesday)
Briefing Session(Click here to register) 1 March 2023 (Wednesday)

15 March 2023 (Wednesday)

Submission Deadline for Online Application 5 pm, 31 March 2023 (Friday)
Social Innovation Training Workshop 11 April 2023 (Tuesday) to 14 April 2023 (Friday)
Submission Deadline for the Preliminary Social Innovation Proposal By 2 May 2023 (Tuesday)
Professional Mentor Consultations

(2 times)

10 July 2023 (Monday)

24 July 2023 (Monday)

Three-day and Two-night GBA Visit 17 July 2023 (Monday) to 19 July 2023 (Wednesday)
Submission Deadline for the Finalised Social Innovation Proposal Before 7 August 2023 (Monday)
Sharing Sessions 25 August 2023 (Friday)

 

Application Method

The project only accepts online applications.

Please submit the completed online application form before the deadline (5 pm, 31 March 2023). Late applications will not be considered.

Successful schools will receive a deposit payment notice and project confirmation letter on or before 4 April 2023.

 

Remarks

  • To ensure the commitment of the participants, if the participants fail to reach 80% or more of the event attendance, the HKFYG has the right to cancel the qualification of the school and will not refund the collected event fees;
  • The HKFYG reserves the right to use the submitted design works, including photos and video material for exhibitions, promotion and publication purposes;
  • All applicants must be registered YO PLACE Members and HKFYG Members.

 

Q&A

  • Are individual registrations accepted?
    • No, registration must be processed through the school.
  • If a student is already registered as a HKFYG member, can he/she sign up for the activity?
    • Yes, please present the registered membership number at the first class.
  • Does the school have to appoint a teacher to lead the activity?
    • Yes, the teacher will serve as the liaison between the HKFYG and the students and assist in the program.
  • Is it possible to change the teacher during the activity?
    • Yes, please inform the current teacher and our staff of the change.
  • What should be done if a student is unable to attend a class?
    • Please notify our agents from the HKFYG in advance and submit a  leave request by email.
  • Do the students have to come from the same level/class?
    • No, the students can come from different classes and levels.

 

Contact Us

The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups

Tel: 3595 0945 / 3956 8001

E-mail: sic@hkfyg.org.hk

Address: Room B-E, 11/F, Genesis, 33-35 Wong Chuk Hang Road, HK

Website: sic.hkfyg.org.hk

Facebook Page: hkfyg.sic