Introduction

Established in Hong Kong in May 2001, Partnerships for Community Development (PCD) is a community development organisation that works in mainland China and Hong Kong. It was established and continues to be funded by the Kadoorie Foundation (via a stream of funds allocated by the Hon. Mrs McAulay). The Foundation is a Hong Kong-based trust founded in 1970 by the late Sir Horace Kadoorie who believed in the motto: “Help people to help themselves”. Registered in Hong Kong, PCD is a tax-exempt charity recognised under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance of the Hong Kong SAR. In August 2017, PCD set up the Beijing Representative Office, which is registered with the Beijing Public Security Bureau, with the Ministry of Environmental Protection (now Ministry of Ecology and Environment) as our Professional Supervisory Unit.

An organisation without any religious or political affiliation, PCD is committed to working with communities to explore ways of leading a dignified and sustainable life in harmony with others and with nature. PCD adopts the approaches of cultural reflection, nurturing community facilitators, and building networks and platforms in its work. The goals are to invigorate the inner motivation of communities, promote understanding of sustainable living and encourage individuals and communities to practise living sustainably. In mainland China, PCD develops cooperation with partners in the areas of biodiversity conservation, ecological agriculture, nature education, environmental protection, and prevention and control of pollution. In Hong Kong, PCD’s programme is developed around four themes—Transformative Learning, Community Economy, Building Community Resilience for Climate Change, and Culture and Community Building. At the same time, PCD will connect with overseas sustainable living networks to facilitate mutual learning and synergy.