The Center for Research and Development Hong Kong BRIEFING - The Social Enterprise “The Center of Excellence in Social Sustainability (CESS-HK)” 

  

  

-The CRD-HK Charity - (852) 6978-5729 - info@crd-hk.org - 

 

  

The CRD-HK Social Enterprise The Center for Research and Development Hong Kong (The Center) is a charitable organization, with the mission to support universities, institutions and talented individuals.  

We serve the Hong Kong area, the Chinese population and its diverse residents from all walks of life. 

 

The two major divisions fully support and advance the agenda of the CRD-HK Charity, 

1. The Science Division, “The Center of Excellence in Sustainable Research (CESR-HK)”. 2. The Social Enterprise Division, “The Center of Excellence in Social Sustainability 

(CESS-HK)”. 

Both Centers of Excellence share the same purpose in serving the public by following the three guiding principles. 

 

History In January 2018, the Center started the feasibility study of setting up a Social Enterprise (SE). The aim was to determine the direction of our SE setup according to support services levels relevant to the communities at the district level.  

 

Extensive visits were made at territory-wide operating NGOs and district support offices to gather sufficient data before the actual forming of the not-for-profit making organization with SE foundations. All of the prototype activities from January 2018 were self-funded and the Center did not rely on Government subvention or donations.  

With generous advice from fellow NGOs, Associations and the top-3 Universities, the Center has started operations under the not-for-profit making status, “The Center for Research and Development Hong Kong (CRD-HK Charity)”, in November 2018.  

 

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After the prototyping period of 15 months, the Center decided to start the SE in April of 2019. The prototype study results of 2018 showed the strong demand but chronic supply of hard to find skilled labor such as in, 

 

● The cultivation of novel and hardy organic crops and the production of inland marine species, with a focus on the high-quality output of locally grown species and introduction of territory-specific varieties. 

● The development of research study bases and training locations, the Scientific Portal Stations (SPS), staffed with trained technicians and Dedicated Advanced Equipment. Delivery of technologically proven designs of custom-coded Single Board Computers (SBC) and Remote Sensing capabilities, equipped with novel features, serving academic research, SciTech STEM and different industries. 

● The technicians and hospitality services training (showcase The Canteen) with emphasis on building a strong work experience record with above minimum compensation through our organization.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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(Figure I) The Social Enterprise Division (in red) and Science Division (in blue). 

 

 

 

In the briefing, the Social Enterprise Division (CESS-HK) with the Community Support Programs (CSP) is marked in red (see figure I). 

  

 

 

   

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The Three Guiding Principles The Center, including the Social Enterprise Division, the CESS-HK, and the Science Division, the CESR-HK, follow the three guiding principles, that support the desired long-term objective in our definition of “Sustainable Prosperity”.  

 

1. Ecological Sustainability, means we coordinate, contribute and produce, based on a long-term perspective. We conserve and maintain the usage of the waters, the soil and the ecosystem, and reduce our impact on the natural environment and people’s health to a level that our direct environment can handle.  

2. Social Sustainability, is our responsibility to improve and enhance the quality-of-life in the community we serve. This signifies the nature-community relationships, mediated by work, as well as the relationships within the community. Social sustainability is directly related to our SE division operations, in respecting human rights, labor rights, and corporate governance, equally accessible to all groups and our community members. 

3. Economic Sustainability, is our ability to support long-term economic growth without negatively impacting the social, environmental, and cultural aspects of the community. We translate that in the responsible funding of initiatives, above minimum wage pay levels and our not-for-profit making legal character where profits are reinvested back in our organization and the community. 

 

 

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(Figure II) Our Three Guiding Principles interlinked with the CESS-HK and CESR-HK divisions, drive the “Sustainable Prosperity” model.  

 

 

The clear advantage of the Center’s vision in “Sustainable Prosperity” is the well-designed integration of the Community Support Programs (CSP), the facilities are housed at the same location in order to maintain exceptional quality control. Furthermore, in our implementation plans the cultivation of indoor novel and hardy organic crops (greenhouses), the SciTech STEM Lab, the Scientific Portal Stations, and showcase Canteen, are tightly managed together. In return, the benefit of this well-integrated design facilitates the support and training of our community members, and the controlled usage of precious resources while minimizing the stress of the environment.   

 

The SE will follow the pioneering spirit of the Center to bridge the gap between Scientific Research and Community Engagement, under the name, “The Center of Excellence in Social Sustainability (CESS-HK)”.  

 

   

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The Community Support Programs (CSP) Our Community Support Programs (CSP) module under the Social Enterprise, The Center of Excellence in Social Sustainability (CESS-HK), was developed to meet the growing demand for hard to find employees. Prospect employees from underprivileged areas and socially disadvantaged groups in Hong Kong are selected, to follow either a 6- or 12-month training to obtain basic working experience. 

 

For years 2020 till 2022, the Center has recognized three major CSP under the SE division, to serve the needs and demands of the different groups and the industries. 

 

1. Our Agri- and Mariculture program, the Center is currently engaged in several long-term projects to train prospective employees who will receive the benefits of this reinvented industry in Hong Kong. Ongoing novel crop- and marine science studies in collaboration with the major local universities would support the key industries, our Social Enterprise (SE) and the trainees. 

2. In our SciTech STEM Lab Trainee program, the Center is well established to attract technicians and train talented individuals in the key areas of Agricultural Studies, Marine Science, Data Sciences and Computational Biology, with affordable but advanced designs. Single Board Computers (SBC), smart architectural designs, ongoing Data Sciences and Computer Science study exchanges in collaboration with the major local universities, would support numerous industries, our own Social Enterprise (CESS-HK), STEM SciTech activities and fellow trainees. 

3. In our Biodiversity & Conservation program, the Center is with the implementation of innovative projects and the Science Portal Stations (SPS) able to attract professionals for our advanced lab with competitive services. Industries and Universities would benefit from our range of qualified technicians, cutting edge components and high-quality output.   

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Action Plan 2020-2021 For years 2020 and 2021, the Center has made a priority to follow the Action Plan, both affecting the operational status of the Science- and the implementation of the Social Enterprise division, these include: 

 

● The development of our advanced Science Portal Stations (SPS) with the full range of support services at several locations around Hong Kong. The SPS serves as research study bases and training locations with attractive cost savings features for accredited educational institutions in Hong Kong. 

● The expansion of the Community Service Programs (CSP) with the aim to offer competitive training programs. 

● The design and development of SciTech STEM modules for primary, secondary and public education. 

● The expansion of our funding programs to support Principal Investigators at the top-3 universities in Hong Kong.  

● The delivery of showcase based (industry) examples of SciTech STEM in action. Single Board Computers (SBC) and the selection of novel hardy crops with autonomous growth features are safe indoor activity examples. 

● The expansion of dedicated fund and grant programs through the existing Government funding channels.   

 

   

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The Center’s at a Glance from January 2018 to the 1st Quarter of 2020 

Activity  Description  Duration  Milestones 

1) Prototype Study of the Social Enterprise 

Study and relationship building with fellow NGOs, Associations and local Universities 

Start in January 2018. (15 months) 

Community Support Programs (CSP),  

1. Mari- and Agricultural Support Programs. 

2. Research Support Programs. 

3. IoT and Technology Programs. 

2) Non-profit status  Submission to the CR as a not-profit-making organization 

Start in October 2018. Target 3 months. 

Obtained CR Approval in 1 month.    

3) Company Bank Accounts 

Application of the Company Bank Accounts 

Start in December 2018. Target 3-6 months 

Obtained Bank Approval in 1 month. 

4) Establishment of the Science Division: “The Center of Excellence in Sustainable Research” (CESR-HK)  

Scientific Collaboration with the top-3 local Universities 

Start September 2018 - continuous 

Obtained collaboration with the top-3 Universities in Hong Kong 

5) Establishment of the “Charitable Institute / Trust” on approval by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD)  

The application under section 88 to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue (IRD) 

Start May 2019 - December 2019. Target 10 months. 

Obtained Approval from the IRD on 19 December 2019 

6) Establishment of the Social Enterprise Division: “The Center of Excellence in Social Sustainability” (CESS-HK) 

Registration and submission of the SE Masterplan at various organizations. 

Start December 2018   Established at SWD, HAD, SC and District Offices. 

7) Various Funding Channels 

Submission of funding applications to District and Central Government Offices  

Start December 2019 -   Ongoing 

8) New Office relocation  Submission to the District Lands Office (DLO)  

Start January 2018 - Target March 2020 

Ongoing 

 

 

 

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About the CRD-HK Charity The Center for Research and Development Hong Kong is a charitable organization, with the mission to collaborate with top-tier universities, institutions, NGOs and local talent “in Developing a Healthy Environment, a Thriving Community, and Sustainable Prosperity.”   

Contact details We appreciate your inquiries, comments, and suggestions. Contact us at info@crd-hk.org, by phone (852) 6978-5729 or visit our Corporate Website at www.crd-hk.org   

Employment, Volunteers and Trainee Information At the CRD-HK Charity, we value different ideas, opinions, and experiences and remain committed to sustaining a culture of diversity and inclusion. The CRD-HK Charity is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected status or other characteristics protected by the Hong Kong law. 

 

The CRD-HK Charity fully supports Pay Transparency to achieve Pay Equity. View or download the Pay & Allowances Guideline for 2020-2021. 

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