The 2026 cohort of the HKU-UBS Sustainable and Social Innovation Leadership Programme (SSILP) gathered at the UBS office on 18 September for their Final Pitching Day, marking the culmination of six months of learning, mentoring and collaboration. Thirty social-sector leaders from Hong Kong and across the Greater Bay Area took to the stage to present the initiatives they had developed for drivingpositive social change.
The day opened with welcoming remarks from Professor Cheryl Chui, Director of HKU-UBS SSILP,and Professor The Hon Cheung Kin-chung Matthew, GBM, GBS, JP, Honorary Advisor of SSILP, who spoke of the programme’s commitment to equipping nonprofit leaders with the skills, networks and resources to turn fresh ideas into lasting solutions for pressing social challenges.
Welcoming remarks by Professor Cheryl Chui, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work and Social Administration, HKU and Director of HKU-UBS SSILP.
Professor The Hon Cheung Kin-chung Matthew, GBM, GBS, JP, Honorary Advisor, HKU-UBS SSILP, sharing his thoughts on social innovation in Hong Kong.
A five-member judging panel, drawing on expertise across government, philanthropy and academia, assessed the projects:
- Mr. Ho Kai-ming, JP, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Labour and Welfare Bureau, HKSAR Government
- Mr. Wilson Shum Ho-kit, BBS, JP, Chairman, Community Investment and Inclusion Fund Committee
- Dr. Zeng Jing, Chief Expert, China Impact Philanthropy Research Institute
- Ms. Ming Geng, Head of Social Impact and Philanthropy, Greater China, UBS and Steering Committee of HKU-UBS SSILP
- Professor Cheryl Chui, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work and Social Administration, HKU and Director of HKU-UBS SSILP
Their questions and feedback throughout the day helped single out the initiatives with the greatest potential to deliver meaningful, long-term community impact.
(From left to right) Prof. Cheryl Chui, Dr. Zeng Jing, Mr. Ho Kai Ming, JP, Mr. Wilson Shum Ho-kit, BBS, JP and Ms. Ming Geng, co-adjudicating for the projects.
Across the afternoon, fellows presented 27 pioneering projects. Following careful deliberation by the paneland votes from the audience, two initiatives were named Champions, with each receiving HK$400,000 in incubation funding to develop and implement their projects:
“Gender in Conversation” – The Women’s Foundation, Ms. Clara Hopkins
A bilingual, offline discussion game for mixed-gender secondary school students, designed to open up conversations about gender stereotypes and norms, relationships and peer pressure. Developed as a reusable teaching resource with a companion microsite, it complements schools’ sexuality educationcurriculum and offers a fun, low-pressure way for students to explore sensitive topics. To extend its reach, the project will train a group of student ambassadors to champion the game in schools and safeguard its long-term sustainability.
Ms. Clara Hopkins (in the middle) receiving the Champion Award from Mrs. Amy Lo, JP (first right) and Mr. Ho Kai Ming, JP (first left).
“Future Me” – Generation Hong Kong in collaboration with Mr. Michael Chan from Johnson Stokes & Master
Hong Kong enjoys the world’s highest life expectancy, yet that longevity also brings growing financial pressure and heavier demands on public services. “Future Me” tackles this through an interactive app-based intervention that uses AI to connect “sandwich class” working adults with a simulated version oftheir aged future selves. By engaging in these conversations, users gain a clearer sense of theimportance of long-term planning,
learn to spot common pitfalls, set concrete financial goals and track their progress — ultimately strengthening their financial preparation for the years ahead.
Mr. Michael Chan (in the middle) receiving the Champion Award from Mrs. Amy Lo, JP (first right) and Mr. Ho Kai Ming, JP (first left).
The audience also had their say, casting votes for the two Audience Choice Awards, which went to:
“Pillars and Pioneers” – Caritas Youth and Community Service, Ms. Marina Rai
An intergenerational storytelling initiative that tackles the social isolation, digital exclusion and invisibilityfaced by Ethnic Minority (EM) elderly, alongside the connection crisis experienced by EM youth. Over 12 months, the project positions 100 elders as “Pillars” and trains 35 youth “Pioneers” as facilitators, fostering reciprocal knowledge exchange and digital navigation training across three districts. It aims to reduce elderly loneliness by 30% and achieve 90% digital service mastery, while building a 130-piece media archive that bridges cultural and digital divides and nurtures a more inclusive community.
Ms. Marina Rai receiving the Audience Choice Award from Dr. Zeng Jing (first right) and Professor Cheryl Chui (first left).
“Future Me” – Mr. Michael Chan, who was doubly recognised, taking home an Audience Choice Award alongside his Champion Award.
Mr. Michael Chan receiving the Audience Choice Award from Mr. Wilson Shum Ho-kit, BBS, JP (first right) and Ms. Ming Geng (first left).
Supporting the fellows along the way were 18 mentors — 12 senior leaders from across UBS divisions and 6 SSILP alumni — who provided dedicated guidance on strategy, resource management and pitching skills throughout the programme.
The cohort together with their mentors, whose guidance supported the fellows throughout the programme
Beyond mentoring, the six months combined leadership development, field trips and cross-sectorlearning with practical sessions on strategic thinking, organizational culture, collaboration and evidence-based decision-making. New to the 2026 curriculum were responsible AI and digital capabilities, reflecting the evolving needs of the social sector.
At the end of event, Mrs. Amy Lo, JP, Chairman, UBS Global Wealth Management Asia and Head andChief Executive, UBS Hong Kong, expressed UBS’s belief that nurturing the next generation is one of the most meaningful investments in the future of communities. Through SSILP, emerging leaders aregiven the knowledge, confidence and network to turn promising ideas into action, helping build a stronger social sector. She said she was immensely proud of the fellows’ achievements and looked forward to seeing them continue to lead with purpose and shape lasting change.
As the 2026 cohort embarks on the next chapter, the ideas showcased today mark only the beginning.Equipped with new skills and a strengthened network, these leaders are poised to bring meaningful transformation to their communities. SSILP will keep championing this ecosystem of social innovation, and we look forward to seeing the impact these projects make across Hong Kong and the Greater BayArea in the years to come.
Save the date! We invite you to join us at the SSILP GBA Philanthropy Forum on 4 December, where different stakeholders from across the Greater Bay Area will come together to explore the future of philanthropy and social innovation. If you are new to the SSILP Community and interested in attending, please leave your information inthis form: https://hku.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3F93hSNN7wnKrsO . We shall share further details and a formal invitation in due course. See you there!