In the last issue of the newsletter, we collected votes on the social agenda topics that interest you. The results show that most participants are focused on mental health, end-of-life Education and AI development. Whether you participated in the voting or not, do not miss the “S+ Summit cum Expo” to be held from 20 – 21 May this year. In addition to the aforementioned topics, it will also address local and regional social issues, such as the silver economy, Image-based sexual violence etc.

Registration for the event will officially open in March. Feel free to subscribe to the event website by leaving your email contact and stay updated on the latest news about the event! You are also welcome to click here to view last year’s event highlights.

Sponsored by Swire Trust and planned by the HKCSS, the “Building Tung Chung” community project has connected with multiple partner organisations to provide a variety of services and activities for Tung Chung. The InspiringHK Sports Foundation, who contributed in the theme of “Sports”, had recently organised the “Chinese New Year Walkathon 2025” and Sports Carnival. HKCSS had gathered 20 colleagues and friends to join the Walkathon, joint hands with partner organisations to host booths and play area, as well as to invite service users to perform on stage. Showcasing the diversity of services, and the vitality of the community.

To promote co-creation in the community and expand the partnership network, HKCSS has been liaising with local and external stakeholders to enhance the project. For example, HKCSS invited the Islands DHC Express to participate in the carnival to promote healthy living. HKCSS also collaborated with PolyU CPCE to introduce “Tung Chunger”, a character designed by their students, to the neighbourhood.

The program will continue to co-create with various community stakeholders through the “Community Partnership Fund” for service extension and foster co-creation.

Confronted with various social issues, how can businesses strike a balance between commercial interests and sustainable development? The concept of “Creating Shared Value” (CSV) encourages companies to integrate social benefits into the core of their business operations. Starting with products, markets, and supply chains, CSV advocates for a business model that allows business value and social benefits to coexist. This event will share successful examples and explore with participants how these business-socio collaborations achieve mutual success through creating shared value.

More Details and Register

“The way we talk” sponsored by Lee Hysan Foundation, is a touching journey into the world of the hearing-impaired. At the movie screening  and post-screening sharing session on 21 February, we invited our partners and sponsoring organisations to the screening session. Director Adam Wong, actors Neo Yau and Marco Ng and the production team also shared moving stories and unforgettable experiences from the filming process.

“The way we talk” not only depicts the story of a hearing-impaired individual but also aims to show the audience what a true inclusive society should look like, hoping that more people can understand and comprehend, and try to understand them. How do they communicate? How do they integrate into society? This film also invited many hearing-impaired individuals from Hong Kong to participate, including both deaf and sign linguistics students, teachers, and parents, showcasing the growth and experiences of deaf individuals. One of the main characters, Marco Ng, despite not coming from a theatrical background, authentically portrays himself.

Have you ever thought about how they live when the world becomes silent?

The film presents authentic and delicate plotlines that highlight the challenges faced by the characters in their daily life. Chung Suet-Ying’s character is determined to learn sign language as she grows up—not to challenge her mother, but to express her true feelings and live as her authentic self. An inclusive society does not require everyone to be the same; instead, it creates conditions that allow each individual to live true to themselves.

Do you think there is sufficient support on inclusion for people with different needs in society?

Pollinators like bees and butterflies are crucial for the health of urban ecosystems, yet their habitats are shrinking due to rapid urbanization. To enhance urban biodiversity, Beetales recently launched an “Urban Oasis” project, collaborating with corporates to transform underutilized spaces like rooftops and abandoned gardens into small green spaces and gardens to attract and protect these insects that need resting spots while pollinating.

Beetales also conducts workshops for participants to learn to choose native plants that provide food and safe habitats for these pollinators. “It’s not just about saving pollinators; it’s about making our community more vibrant!” Through this initiative, Beetales aims to reconnect with nature and promote healthier urban ecosystems

The Facebook page for the Caring Company Scheme have been closed, and we are transitioning to LinkedIn as our new platform. Through Linkedin, we will continue to share information about society, ESG and SDGs to help stakeholders better understand social issues and trends.

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Global Perspective on B Corp: How Can Hong Kong SMEs Go Further?

In recent years, companies have been showcasing their ESG achievements, yet controversies over “greenwashing” have frequently emerged. A 2023 investigation by the European Securities and Markets Authority found that over half of “sustainable development funds” had discrepancies between their disclosures and actual investments; while Japan’s Financial Services Agency issued corrective orders to multiple companies regarding overstated carbon reduction results. As “sustainable development” risks becoming mere marketing rhetoric, third-party certification has become an increasingly important benchmark of corporate authenticity.

Among the myriad of international certifications, B Corp certification is renowned for its rigour and comprehensiveness. It conducts quantitative assessments across five dimensions — environment, employees, community (including suppliers), customers, and corporate governance. Companies are required not only to implement sound governance in day-to-day operations and effectively manage their impact on stakeholders and the environment, but also to create measurable social value through core business activities. Often hailed as the benchmark for sustainable enterprises, companies must score above 80 points in a 200-point assessment to become certified, and undergo re-verification every three years to ensure continuous improvement.

However, B Corp is more than just another certification; it represents a global movement for corporate transformation. When sustainable development practices seamlessly integrate with core business, a purpose-driven mission can become the engine driving innovation. Currently, over 9,500 certified businesses worldwide (as of February 2025) jointly practise “Business for Good”, proving that profitability and social purpose can complement each other, in an effort to motivate more companies to operate responsibly.

Hong Kong currently has over thirty B Corps, mostly startups and SMEs. These include Hyginova, which develops non-toxic cleaning products; TREE, which prioritises using wood from sustainable sources to make furniture and extends product lifespan through repair services; Work For Impact, which builds a mission-driven talent matching platform; and Knowmium, a training firm focus on cultivating socially conscious talent. 

At PIE Strategy, as one of Hong Kong’s pioneering B Corps, we have consistently challenged ourselves to meet and exceed certification standards since our founding in 2017. Through the local B Corp community, we connect with like-minded businesses in various sectors, fostering a collaborative ecosystem and witnessing the community’s collective growth. B Corp certification also complements the Caring Company Scheme – while the former focuses on implementing systematic practices aligned with international standards, the latter cultivates deep local community relationships. The two schemes work in harmony to promote business for good.

The B Corp certification process functions like a comprehensive corporate health check, propelling businesses from mere compliance to value creation. For startups and SMEs navigating volatile economic landscapes, a third-party verification enhances credibility and attracts values-aligned stakeholders. As global attention to sustainability intensifies, systematically assessing social and environmental impacts and embedding sustainability into a company’s DNA not only boosts competitiveness but also unlocks new opportunities. By adopting this approach, companies are better positioned to meet the evolving expectations of consumers, investors, and partners who increasingly prioritise sustainable and responsible practices.