DBS Foundation and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service ( HKCSS ) have forged a partnership to launch two three-year community programmes aimed at improving the lives and livelihoods of more than 100,000 underprivileged individuals in Hong Kong.

Supported by over HK$40 million ( US$5.15 million ) in funding from DBS Foundation, the programmes will provide immediate relief while equipping vulnerable individuals and their families with the tools and resources needed to build more confident and resilient futures.

The programmes are aligned with the foundation’s dual focus on providing essential needs and fostering inclusion, says Sebastian Paredes, chief executive officer of DBS Bank ( Hong Kong ) Limited and head of North Asia, DBS Group.

 "We are pleased to partner with HKCSS to leverage their extensive expertise and network in developing impactful and scalable solutions in Hong Kong and for Hong Kong," Paredes says. “Together, we aim to drive sustainable change, uplift lives, and create a more inclusive future for the underprivileged in Hong Kong. This is only the beginning, and we will be developing and funding more innovative programmes in the near future.”

The first programme, SilverConnect, seeks transform healthcare service delivery for the elderly by developing and implementing an integrated tele-practice platform. This platform will offer a comprehensive suite of digital healthcare services, enabling the elderly to conveniently access essential support and social care from their homes or residential care facilities.

By enhancing accessibility, the programme aims to improve the long-term health and wellbeing of over 52,000 elderly people and caregivers.

Financial literacy

The second initiative, Treasure Wealth, Treasure Love – Family Financial Education Programme, adopts a holistic approach to financial education and planning to strengthen the financial resilience of low-income families.

DBS volunteers and social workers will collaborate to deliver financial literacy workshops, group activities, and personalized coaching sessions.

The programme aims to equip underprivileged families with essential financial planning skills, foster transparency in household finances, and empower them to achieve sustainable financial health. More than 46,000 beneficiaries are expected to be empowered through this programme.

"With the support of the DBS Foundation, the HKCSS and NGOs involved in the project can launch innovative services, allowing more elderly people to benefit from tele-healthcare services while families enhance their financial literacy and maintain good financial health,” says JKCSS chief executive Chua Hoi Wai, JP. “These efforts contribute to the continuous improvement of people's quality of life and promote social development."

DBS Bank has pledged to commit up to S$1 billion ( US$742 million ) over 10 years to uplift vulnerable communities and catalyze social impact across its core markets in the region. By 2027, the foundation’s multi-year efforts are expected to improve the lives and livelihoods of two million low-income and underprivileged individuals across Asia.