Jockey Club fosters cross-sector collaboration to help build an age-friendly culture in the Hong Kong community
- The Jockey Club Age-friendly City Partnership Scheme encourages all sectors to build a community that helps the elderly stay active
- Companies, government departments and public bodies can join the Scheme, supported by local trade associations

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Ageing populations are a global concern requiring significant social transformation, according to the World Health Organization, with cities and communities playing a vital role. The proportion of people in Hong Kong aged 65 or above increased to 20 per cent of the total population last year and will reach one-third within 20 years, according to the government’s latest census, making the transformation to an age-friendly city a top priority that will better accommodate the diverse needs of the elderly and empower them to age actively and happily.
With this in mind, the Jockey Club Age-friendly City Partnership Scheme aims to encourage different sectors of the community to develop an environment and culture more inclusive of the elderly and their needs. The Scheme was launched in 2018 by the Jockey Club Age-friendly City Project (JCAFC Project), initiated and funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.
It recognises various community stakeholders – including the business sector, government departments and public bodies – that have adopted innovative and sustainable age-friendly practices in their businesses or operations, or provided products or services catering to the needs of the elderly. The Scheme also provides resources and information to senior citizens, so that they may live a more fulfilling life in Hong Kong after retirement. More importantly, it seeks to raise public awareness of the importance of developing an age-friendly culture in the city.
Contributions from start-ups and international corporations
The Jockey Club Age-friendly City Partnership Scheme gives recognition in two parts: a City Partnership Sticker initiative – which includes a new Anti-epidemic Recognition Sticker – recognising the participation and contribution of companies and organisations in promoting an age-friendly culture in Hong Kong; and Special Awards presented to companies and organisations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the Scheme. A judging panel comprising members of the JCAFC Project’s advisory committee, government representatives and experts from related sectors evaluate initiatives in areas including creativity and innovation, social impact, the resources they have contributed, and a project’s sustainability.
Several companies and organisations in Hong Kong have been recognised by the Scheme. They include Sounds Great, a social enterprise that worked with celebrities and vocal talents to create an audiobook featuring celebrity autobiographies, Cantonese opera and classics from Chinese literature. The audiobook, which has been donated to charities that help disadvantaged elderly people, received the Scheme’s Our City’s Story Award in 2020.