Hong Kong Women's Empowerment Fund opens second round of 2026-27 applications
Hong Kong's Women's Empowerment Fund has announced a second round of applications for the 2026-27 cycle, with annual funding increased to HK$30 million. The fund offers general and thematic grants, including a new career development plan, to support women's groups and NGOs.
Hong Kong's Women's Empowerment Fund (WEF) on 30 October opened the second round of applications for the 2026-27 financial year, the government announced. Established in June 2023, the fund aims to empower women of all ages, occupations and backgrounds to realise their potential and promote women's development in the city.
Annual funding for the fund has been increased to HK$30 million from the current financial year, the government said. The fund is divided into general and thematic grant schemes. For general grants, one-year projects can receive up to HK$400,000, while two-year projects can receive up to HK$800,000.
Three thematic plans currently exist: the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Exchange Programme, the Women's Community Service Programme, and the Women's Career Development Programme. The exchange programme aims to broaden women's horizons, deepen their understanding of national conditions and facilitate exchanges with local people, with each project capped at HK$120,000 and requiring completion within one year.
The community service programme encourages women to use their own strengths to plan and implement community projects promoting care and inclusion, with each project capped at HK$400,000 and a one-year completion period.
The newly added career development programme focuses on providing employment-related support, empowering women to re-enter the workforce, change jobs and start careers. One-year and two-year career development projects can receive up to HK$500,000 and HK$1 million respectively.
The fund accepts two rounds of applications each year. Application guidelines and forms are available on the fund's website (www.wef.gov.hk). Eligible women's groups and non-governmental organisations may submit online or paper applications.