The LEWI Social Impact Partnership Fund supports project teams that bring together HKBU students and staff of local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to co-design and deliver community initiatives on diversity, equality and social justice. Rather than placing students in an NGO as helpers, the Fund asks both sides to work as partners. Students contribute research, digital and creative capacity. NGO colleagues contribute frontline knowledge and community access.

The Fund forms part of GCAP3266 Global Workshop on Diversity, Equality, and Social Justice, and extends the community engagement and policy innovation work students begin in that Capstone Workshop. Funded teams present their work at the Community Engagement and Policy Innovation Showcase alongside the course’s Policy Exhibition at HKBU.

Key Dates  ·  Round 1, 2026/27

At a Glance

Benefits

• Seed funding from an annual pool of HKD 200,000. The amount awarded to each successful team varies according to the scale, activities and needs of the project. Teams should budget for what the work actually requires.
• Mentorship and advisory support from LEWI staff and fellows throughout the project.
• Use of HKBU venues for workshops, focus groups and community activities (subject to availability).
• A presentation slot at the Community Engagement and Policy Innovation Showcase.
• Publicity support through LEWI channels and the Institute’s partner network.
• Certificate of participation for all team members.
  
  
  

Eligibility

• Each team must consist of at least two HKBU students (undergraduate or postgraduate, any Faculty) and at least one staff member of a Hong Kong registered NGO or charitable organisation.
• The proposed project must address diversity, equality, social justice, community engagement or policy innovation, and must align with one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The project must be completed within 12 months of the funding award.
• Each applicant may join only one application in the same round.
  
  
  

Application Procedure

Applications are accepted in one round each academic year. Round 1 of 2026/27 is open from 1 October to 31 December 2026.

A complete application consists of:

• the completed Application Form;
• a 2 to 3 page project proposal setting out the community need, objectives, activities, timeline and expected outcomes;
• an itemised budget, using the Budget Template;
• a letter of support from the partner NGO, signed by an authorised officer;
• brief profiles or CVs of all team members.
  
  

Please submit the complete application in a single PDF file to lewi@hkbu.edu.hk, with “LEWI Social Impact Partnership Fund Application” in the subject line, on or before 31 December 2026.

Results will be announced by mid-February 2027.

Selection Principles

Applications are assessed against the same five criteria used for GE Capstone funding at the University:

1. Impact on student learning: the project deepens students’ understanding across disciplines and develops key competencies such as creativity, collaboration, problem-solving and communication.
2. Innovation and solution-based focus: the project applies creative, solution-based methods to a real community problem rather than repeating existing service arrangements.
3. Social impact and the SDGs: the expected outcomes contribute to society and address one or more SDGs, with clear indicators for measuring that impact.
4. Feasibility and sustainability: the project is realistic within the proposed timeframe and budget, and there is a plan for the work to continue after the funding period.
5. Collaboration and sharing: students and NGO colleagues work as partners, not as helpers, and the deliverables are shared with the wider community.
   
   

   What Is Funded

   The supported and unsupported items follow the University’s funding rules for GE Capstone activities:

   Supported	Not supported
   Temporary project assistants and student helpers	Equipment such as computers, printers, audio-visual equipment and personal electronic appliances
   Honoraria or subsidies for guest speakers and community partners	Salaries of HKBU or NGO staff
   Materials and services required by the project	Overseas travel
   Local travel incurred in running the project activities	Reference books
   Venue, production, design and printing costs	Cash vouchers, gifts or meals for HKBU students only
   Cash vouchers and souvenirs for service users	Costs already covered by another funding source, and expenses incurred before the award date

Please Note

• Funded teams are expected to produce at least one tangible deliverable, for example a community workshop, a policy brief, a toolkit, an exhibition or a short film.
• All teams must present their work at the Community Engagement and Policy Innovation Showcase.
• An interim report is due at the mid-point of the project, and a final report with a financial statement within one month of project completion. Teams should also supply photos and short video clips of their activities for reporting purposes.
• All expenditure must be accounted for with original receipts and/or payment vouchers, submitted to the Finance Office for payment or reimbursement. Reimbursement requests must reach FO at least two weeks before the account closing date.
• Teams must keep expenditure within the approved budget. Please consult LEWI before making any unplanned purchase.
• All funding must be used within the project period. Any unspent balance will be clawed back, and LEWI reserves the right to recover funding that has been improperly spent.
• LEWI and HKBU must be acknowledged in all publicity, publications and outputs arising from the project.
• Projects involving human subjects must obtain ethical clearance from the University before fieldwork begins.