Link Asset Management Limited (Link), the manager of Link Real Estate Investment Trust (Link REIT) announced today (Thursday),  that “Link Together Initiatives”, its flagship charity and community engagement programme, will disburse $15.5 million over the financial year 2021/2022 in support of eight projects, whose aims are to meet social service demands with creative solutions and improve the well-being of individuals and communities.

Nicholas Allen, Chairman of the Board of Link, said: “Link has been supporting a variety of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), especially smaller NGOs, to meet changing demands for social services from a new perspective and to adopt creative solutions. We hope that our collaborations with these NGOs will bring positive impacts to society.”

Projects supported by Link Together Initiatives in 2021/2022 are anchored in the focus areas of youth empowerment, active ageing, and resource management, as well as social inclusion. The following projects will kick off in October this year.

1. “Inspirational Drama Programme for Elderly” by Arts’ Options – re-defines the social construct of the elderly by helping seniors rediscover their talent in theatre. The programme provides professional training for elderlies, with the aim of offering them a platform to express themselves and rekindle their passion for life while filling the needed “young blood” in the local theatre industry;
2. “Integration Brings Bountiful Joy in Work” by Kwun Tong Methodist Social Service – redesigns the solution to helping two vulnerable groups in society: Youth with Special Education Needs (SEN) such as those with ADHD, and seniors with dementia, by connecting them with one another. After structured training, the active complements the forgetful, filling the social service gaps of professional training and manpower in the elderly service sector at once;
3. “Nature LINK 2022” by Environmental Association – engages local residents to become “Butterfly Ambassadors” to co-manage Hong Kong’s growing cross-district ecological network of butterfly gardens each unique to its community, bringing the community together as they help increase biodiversity in urban landscapes and raise awareness to environmental protection;
4. “Food Angel - We Link We Share Programme” by Bo Charity Foundation – sets up revolving pop-up stores in Link malls to expand its reach among the communities, in addition to reprocessing edible surplus food into meals for the needy and spreading the message of food waste reduction;
5. “SportsLINK Community Project” by InspiringHK Sports Foundation – offers professional long-distance running training to youth while connecting all age groups in the community through a range of activities promoting exercising;
6. “Future Maker Hub” by A Plastic Ocean Foundation – provides science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education to students from grassroots families and encourages participants to reflect on the application of STEM in addressing environmental issues;
7. “Vocational Education Project (Estate Management 2021)” by Shanghai Smiles Foundation – provides subsidies and opportunities for students from underprivileged families from rural areas of Mainland China to receive vocational education in Shanghai and nurture new talents for the city’s property management industry. It is the first project under Link Together Initiatives that is being implemented outside Hong Kong; and
8. “Guide Dogs Development Programme” by Hong Kong Guide Dogs Association – aims to assist those with visual impairment and help them live their lives independently and with dignity.

“Link Together Initiatives” aims to promote sustainability development in the communities around Link’s properties. Each year, Link contributes an amount of up to 0.25% of its net property income from the previous financial year to support social services projects operated by NGOs. Established in 2013, this charity and community engagement programme has committed over $100 million to services that cover all 18 districts of Hong Kong. In 2021/2022, Link aims to disburse a total of $15.5 million, which will be a record.

Details of the eight sponsored projects are listed in the Appendix.

High resolution pictures can be downloaded here.

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About Link

Link Real Estate Investment Trust (Hong Kong stock code: 823), managed by Link Asset Management Limited, is a leading retail-focused REIT in the world. Listed in 2005 as the first REIT in Hong Kong, Link has been 100% held by public and institutional investors and is a Hang Seng Index constituent stock. From its home in Hong Kong, Link manages a diversified portfolio including retail facilities, car parks and offices spanning Hong Kong, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen, London and Sydney. Link seeks to extend its portfolio growth trajectory and grasp expansion opportunities in different markets in pursuit of our medium-term target Vision 2025. For details, please visit https://www.linkreit.com/.