Under the Anti-Epidemic Fund, the Innovation and Technology Commission has launched the Distance Business Programme (the D-Biz Programme) to support enterprises to adopt IT solutions to continue their business and services during the epidemic. The Hong Kong Productivity Council is the Secretariat of the Programme.
All private enterprises (excluding listed companies, statutory bodies and non-government organisations (NGOs) funded by the Government [1]) with a valid Business Registration Certificate, with ongoing business in Hong Kong commenced before 1 January 2020 and substantive business operation in the industry related to the project in the application at the time of application are eligible to apply. For social enterprises which do not have Business Registration Certificate, they can submit a Social Enterprises Certificate issued by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) under the D-Biz Programme, in lieu of a Business Registration Certificate.
[1] It refers to NGO that receives funding from the Government on a recurrent basis but not one-off government funding. The recurrent funding contributes towards the NGO’s operational expenses, in exchange for its service to the public. The recurrent funding may account for the bulk of the NGO’s income or just be a token contribution/sponsorship forming a small percentage of the NGO’s total income.
Who can apply for a Social Enterprise Certificate?
Social enterprise is eligible to apply for the Social Enterprise Certificate if it –
- does NOT have a business registration certificate; and
- is listed on the Social Enterprise Directory maintained by the HKCSS or accredited under the Social Enterprise Endorsement (SEE) Mark administered by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Social Enterprises (GCSE).
* Social enterprise with Business Registration Certificate can directly submit the funding application online through the Programme website, and should NOT apply for a Social Enterprise Certificate.
How to apply?
From 31 August (Monday) to 23 October 2020 (Friday), social enterprises can submit the following documents to Social Enterprise Business Centre (SEBC) of HKCSS via email to [email protected]; please state ‘Apply for the D-Biz Programme – Social Enterprises Certificate‘ on the email subject:
- the completed application form;
- the Certification of tax exemption under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Chapter 112); and
- the proof of separate entity status if its parent organisation is an NGO receiving funding from the Government on a recurrent basis.
Late applications will not be considered.
To obtain the application form for Social Enterprise Certificate or further information, please contact the SEBC via email at [email protected] or by phone on 2864 2993 during business hours (9 am to 1 pm; 2 pm to 6 pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays)).