The “2023 New Life in the GBA” “GBA Walker” Programme (the " Programme ") is organised by the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation Limited (the "Foundation"). By entering the Programme, participants are deemed to have agreed to these terms and conditions.

Programme Introduction

The GBA Walker – Exchange Programme, funded by the Foundation, is designed to help Hong Kong youth explore and experience the 9 cities within the Greater Bay Area on a backpacking trip. The programme is entirely planned and executed by young people, providing them with an opportunity to visit the Mainland cities and engage in creative and interactive exchange activities that deepen their understanding of local culture, history, customs, and way of life. Through this programme, participants can explore potential opportunities for future development in the Mainland cities within the GBA.

Programme Aim

The aim of this programme is to expand the perspectives of Hong Kong youth by exploring the development opportunities in the Greater Bay Area. By personally planning and visiting the 9 Mainland cities within the GBA, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, and Zhaoqing, participants can gain a more profound understanding and experience of the local culture, history, customs, and way of life. Before departure, participants must plan and prepare the relevant itinerary details themselves. The Foundation hopes that all participants will embrace and implement the following principles:

(i) The planned itinerary should include three or more of the following elements: a. Participation in cultural and sports activities b. Meeting local friends c. Understanding local customs and traditions d. Visiting cultural and heritage institutions e. Experiencing national projects

(ii) Building relationships within the GBA The Foundation encourages participants to actively engage in local activities, gain insights into the local culture, history, and social changes, and establish meaningful relationships through open exchanges and sharing with local young people.

(iii) Sharing Experiences The Foundation encourages participants to share their experiences and insights gained by pictures, videos or blogs during the tour through social media platforms for others to learn about the Greater Bay Area as well.

Eligible Participants

(i) Hong Kong residents aged 16 to 30 with a valid Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents (the "Home Return Permit"); and

(ii) Registered as YO PLACE members1 of the Foundation and have successfully applied for and hold the GBA Youth card2 on or before August 31, 2023. (For the GBA Youth Card application, please click here)

Registration for the Programme

(i) Eligible participants must register via the Foundation website (website link) between 9:00 am on March 1, 2023 and 11:59 pm on June 30, 2023 (Hong Kong time) (the "Registration Period").

(ii) Participants must form a group of 2-6 people and meet the eligibility requirements.

(iii) The group leader must submit an online application form that includes their teammates' full name in English (as shown on their Hong Kong Identity Card), Date of Birth, Hong Kong Identity Card number (first 4 alphabets and digits), Home Return Permit number (first 4 alphabets and digits), YO PLACE membership number, registered YO PLACE membership email address and Hong Kong mobile phone number and the proposal of the tour plan (including itinerary details, contact information for organisations, team member information, financial budget, etc.) for Foundation approval.

(iv) The tour itinerary should not be less than 3 days 2 nights.

Offer & Quota

(i) Each eligible Hong Kong youth must complete the tour and submit all relevant documents to receive a HK$1,000 subsidy under the "GBA Walker" programme. There are 1,000 quotas available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Evaluation method

The Foundation assess the applications based on the following criteria:

(i) Distinctive Theme Whether the itinerary and visiting places can highlight the local characteristics.

(ii) Exchange Level Whether the itinerary can deepen the understanding of local culture, history, customs and lifestyle, and establish connections and friendships with local people.

(iii)  Creativity Whether the planned itinerary is innovative.

(iv)  Whether the budget and other arrangements are reasonable

Result announcement

(i) The application result will be notified within 7 working days after the application is submitted. Eligible participants must complete the planned itinerary on or before August 31, 2023.

(ii) The Foundation will send the Approval Result Notice and eligible participants must complete the Acceptance of Subsidy within the specified period and return to the Foundation.

Requirements for tour-related information

(i) Photo requirement Participants must take no less than 10 photos during the tour and submit them to the Foundation after the tour. The content of the photos needs to be related to the itinerary. If non-original photos are used, the Foundation has the right to disqualify them from receiving the subsidy.

(ii) Video requirement Participants must shoot videos during the tour to record their daily itinerary and submit a short film of no less than 2 minutes to the Foundation after the entire tour is over. If non-original short films are used, the Foundation has the right to disqualify them from receiving the subsidy.

(iii) GBA Youth Card information Participants must successfully apply for and hold the GBA Youth card on or before August 31, 2023.

(iv) Receipts for the tour expenses Such as hotels, transportation fee, meals, scenic spot tickets, etc., must be submitted to the Foundation.

(v) The above information must be submitted to the Foundation within 1 month after the end of the trip.'

Dispatch of the subsidy

(i) The subsidy will be issued within 2 months after the participants have completed the planned itinerary and submitted relevant documents to the Foundation for approval. Successful participants being qualified for the Programme subsidy (the “Successful Participant”) will be notified via their YO PLACE membership email.

(ii) If the Sucessful Participant registered with their "GBA Youth Card" (credit card) information, the Programme subsidy will be credited to their GBA Youth Card as spending credit without prior notice. The Programme subsidy can only be used for retail purchases and cannot be used for cash advances. If the Successful Participant registered with their "GBA Youth Card" (debit card) information, the Programme subsidy will be credited to their GBA Youth Card account in form of deposit without prior notice. Participants must keep their GBA Youth Card account and YO PLACE membership valid when receiving the Programme subsidy. If the participant's GBA Youth Card account or YO PLACE membership is terminated for any reason or does not remain valid, they will be disqualified without prior notice.

(iii) No Successful Participant is entitled to any alternative gift and payment of cash in substitution of his/her Programme Subsidy. Successful Participants are not allowed to transfer their eligibility to receive the Programme subsidy.

(iv) Information provided by the participants on the Programme website cannot be changed after registration. Any duplicate, faulty or incomplete information will be deemed invalid. The Foundation will not be held liable or provide any compensation if participants cannot be notified about collecting the Programme subsidy due to false, incomplete, or incorrect information provided.

(v) The Foundation will not be held responsible for any delays, losses, errors, incomprehensibility, or damage to information sent or registered by participants due to technical issues such as computer or network problems. Participants cannot object to this limitation of liability.

Precautions and Terms

(i) Participants are solely responsible for any content transmitted or published through this Programme and must comply with the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and international Internet regulations and practices. Participants must not interfere with or damage any network or system in any way.

(ii) Participants are not allowed to upload or distribute videos, texts, or graphics that violate the law. Any violation may result in the disqualification of the participant from receiving the Programme subsidy, and the parties involved may be held legally responsible. Participants must ensure that any media materials they produce do not infringe on the intellectual property rights of any other person.

(iii) The Foundation reserves the right to reject any proposals that are deemed inappropriate or do not conform to the theme and specifications of the proposal.

(iv) Participants are required to confirm their itinerary, including transportation and accommodation, one month before departure so that the Foundation can ensure proper follow-up.

(v) Participants are responsible for completing all necessary formalities for the places they will visit on their own.

(vi) Safety should be a primary consideration in the design of the tour plan. Participants are required to obtain travel insurance prior to departure and must submit a copy of their relevant travel insurance to the Foundation at least one week before departure.

(vii) Participants must adhere to the tour plan they submitted. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, they are not allowed to change the theme or content of the plan without prior approval. If the plan is changed without the consent of the Foundation, the Foundation may consider the circumstances at their discretion and may cancel the participant's eligibility to participate.

(viii) If the tour plan cannot be implemented due to special circumstances beyond the participant's control, such as natural disasters or political instability, the Foundation reserves the right to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the plan.

(ix) If a participant successfully obtains Programme subsidy, they agree that the Foundation may use the videos, photos and graphics provided by them for publication in the media or for the creation of other multimedia works. The Foundation may also arrange interviews with participants and to be published in newspapers, magazines, or other media, including but not limited to pre-journey preparations, the journey itself, and impressions after the journey.

Personal Data

(i) Data collected from eligible participants during the Registration Period will only be used for purposes related to the Programme. Participants who did not provide all the required information will not be eligible to participate in the Programme. 

(ii) Participants must provide accurate and truthful information and are prohibited from using any third-party information or participating in the Programme under a false name. Providing false or incorrect information will result in disqualification. Participants will be held responsible for any relevant consequences if any damage is caused to the Foundation or other third-party personnel.

(iii) Each participant is deemed to have agreed to the Foundation's disclosure of their name, Date of Birth, Hong Kong Identity Card number and GBA Youth Card number to BOC for verifying his/her GBA Youth Card account status and arrangement for crediting the Programme subsidy.

(iv) Information collected from eligible participants during the Programme will be properly stored and encrypted in the Foundation’s YO PLACE membership system.

(v) Any person who has provided their personal data to the Foundation in relation to the Programme has the right to request access to their personal data held by the Foundation. Please send an email to info@gbayouth.org.hk or a standard mail to 16/F, 9 Des Voeux Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, addressed to the Office Manager of the Foundation.

(vi) Participants should read the “Data privacy policy” and “Disclaimer” on the Foundation website (www.gbayouth.org.hk).

General

(i) The Foundation has the sole and absolute discretion in determining a person’s eligibility to enter the Programme, in accordance with the relevant clauses outlined in these Terms and Conditions.

(ii) If any dispute arises from or in connection with the Programme, the decision of the Foundation shall be final and conclusive.

(iii) In the case of any discrepancy in the information contained in the promotional materials, these Terms and Conditions shall prevail.

(iv) If there is any discrepancy or inconsistency between the Chinese and English versions of these Terms and Conditions, the Chinese version shall prevail.

The “2023 New Life in the GBA” - Support You Internship and Employment Programme (the " Programme ") is organised by the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation Limited (the "Foundation"). By entering the Programme, participants are deemed to have agreed to these terms and conditions.  

Eligible Participants:  

(i) Hong Kong residents aged 16 to 30 with a valid Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents (the "Home Return Permit"); and 

(ii) Registered as YO PLACE members1 of the Foundation and have successfully applied for and hold the GBA Youth card2 on or before August 31, 2023. (For the GBA Youth Card application, please click here); and 

(iii) Have worked continuously in the Mainland cities of the GBA for no less than 30 days between January 1, 2023, and August 31, 2023 

 

Registration for the Programme 

(i) Eligible participants must register on the Foundation website between 9:00 am on March 1, 2023 and 11:59 pm on August 31, 2023 (Hong Kong time) (the "Registration Period"). 

(ii) Eligible participants must provide their full name in English (as shown on their Hong Kong Identity Card), Date of Birth, Hong Kong Identity Card number (first 4 alphabets and digits), Home Return Permit number (first 4 alphabets and digits), GBA Youth Card (credit card or debit card) number (last 8 digits), YO PLACE membership number, registered YO PLACE membership email address and Hong Kong mobile phone number to successfully register. 

(iii) Participants who successfully applied for both types of GBA Youth Cards at the same time can only receive one Programme subsidy. 

(iv) Eligible participants can only register once during the entire Programme. Duplicate registrations will be disqualified, and only the personal information of the first registration will be used for verification. No eligible participant may receive more than one Programme subsidy. 

1. YO PLACE is an integrated online and offline youth platform developed by the Foundation. The platform supports Hong Kong youths with services and information on studies, careers and entrepreneurship opportunities in the Greater Bay Area (the “GBA”). Membership is free for registration: www.yoplace.org.hk 

2. The GBA Youth Card is launched by the Foundation in cooperation with Bank of China (Hong Kong) (“BOC”), Guangdong Youth Federation, Hong Kong United Youth Association and Macao Youth Federation. There are two types of GBA Youth Cards, namely the "GBA Youth Card" which is a credit card and the "GBA Youth Card (BOC Card) " which is a debit card. For details of applying for the "GBA Youth Card", please visit: www.gbayouth.org.hk/en/scope/gba-youth-card Application of the GBA Youth Card is subject to the applicable terms and conditions and the final approval of BOC.  

 

Offer & Quota 

(i) Under the Programme, each eligible Hong Kong youth who undertakes an internship or work in the Mainland cities of the GBA can receive a subsidy of HK$1,000. There are a total of 1,000 quotas available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

 

How to redeem the Offer 

(i) The subsidy will be issued within 2 months after the participants submits their Programme application form, and it is approved by the Foundation. Successful participants (the “Successful Participant”) who have received the Programme subsidy will be notified via their YO PLACE membership email. 

(ii) If the Successful Participant registered with their "GBA Youth Card" (credit card) information, the Programme subsidy will be credited to their GBA Youth Card as spending credit without prior notice. The Programme subsidy can only be used for retail purchases and cannot be used for cash advances. If the Successful Participant registered with their "GBA Youth Card" (debit card) information, the Programme subsidy will be credited to their GBA Youth Card account in form of deposit without prior notice. Participants must keep their GBA Youth Card account and YO PLACE membership valid when receiving the Programme subsidy. If the participant's GBA Youth Card account or YO PLACE membership is terminated for any reason or does not remain valid, they will be disqualified without prior notice. 

(iii) No Successful Participant is entitled to any alternative gift or payment of cash in substitution of his/her Programme subsidy. Successful Participants are not allowed to transfer their eligibility to receive the Programme subsidy. 

(iv) Information provided by the participants on the Programme website cannot be changed after registration. Any duplicate, faulty or incomplete information will be deemed invalid. The Foundation will not be held liable or provide any compensation if participants cannot be notified about collecting the Programme subsidy due to false, incomplete, or incorrect information provided. 

(v)The Foundation will not be held responsible for any delays, losses, errors, incomprehensibility, or damage to information sent or registered by participants due to technical issues such as computer or network problems. Participants cannot object to this limitation of liability. 

 

Personal Data 

(i) Data collected from eligible participants during the Registration Period will only be used for purposes related to the Programme. Participants who did not provide all the required information will not be eligible to participate in the Programme. 

(ii) Participants must provide accurate and truthful information and are prohibited from using any third-party information or participating in the Programme under a false name. Providing false or incorrect information will result in disqualification. Participants will be held responsible for any relevant consequences if any damage is caused to the Foundation or other third-party personnel. 

(iii) Each participant is deemed to have agreed to the Foundation's disclosure of their name, Date of Birth, Hong Kong Identity Card number and GBA Youth Card number to BOC for verifying his/her GBA Youth Card account status and arrangement for crediting the Programme subsidy.  

(iv)Information collected from eligible participants during the Programme will be properly stored and encrypted in the Foundation's YO PLACE membership system.  

(v) Any person who has provided their personal data to the Foundation in relation to the Programme has the right to request access to their personal data held by the Foundation. Please send an email to info@gbayouth.org.hk or a standard mail to 16/F, 9 Des Voeux Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, addressed to the Office Manager of the Foundation. 

(vi)Participants should read the “Data privacy policy” and “Disclaimer” on the Foundation's website (www.gbayouth.org.hk). 

 

General 

(i) The Foundation has the sole and absolute discretion in determining a person's eligibility to enter the Programme, in accordance with the relevant clauses outlined in these Terms and Conditions. 

(ii) If any dispute arises from or in connection with the Programme, the decision of the Foundation shall be final and conclusive. 

(iii) In the case of any discrepancy in the information contained in the promotional materials, these Terms and Conditions shall prevail. 

(iv) If there is any discrepancy or inconsistency between the Chinese and English versions of these Terms and Conditions, the Chinese version shall prevail.