Photo: In recent years, many groups have organized youth exchange programs in the Mainland to enhance Hong Kong youth’s understanding of the national conditions. The photo shows the participants of the Hong Kong Youth Student Internship Program taking the C919 to Shanghai for exchanges.

[Ta Kung Pao News]The Youth Mainland Exchange Funding Scheme started accepting second-round applications from eligible non-governmental organizations yesterday. Interested non-governmental organizations can submit applications on or before July 12. The scheme subsidizes non-governmental organizations to organize youth mainland exchange projects to promote Hong Kong youth to understand the national conditions, strengthen exchanges with mainland people, and thus enhance their national identity.

Eligible participants from Hong Kong or the Mainland can receive up to 14 days of funding to cover expenses in the Mainland or Hong Kong, such as transportation, accommodation and meals, with a daily maximum funding limit ranging from HK$415 to HK$655. The maximum funding amount for each exchange program is HK$790,000. Each participant can participate in no more than two Mainland exchange programs under the funding scheme this year. Participants of subsidized exchange programs must download HK Youth+ and register as members.

The funding period for the second round of applications this year is from November 1 this year to May 31 next year. If a group has been approved for funding in the first round of applications, it can still submit an application in the second round of applications, but the total funding amount for the two rounds of applications cannot exceed the total funding limit of 1.18 million yuan for groups planned this year.

All non-governmental organisations registered under the laws of Hong Kong with a non-profit nature; or non-governmental organisations registered under the laws of Hong Kong with a charitable nature; or organisations wholly owned or managed by the Government; or statutory bodies are eligible to apply.