The third batch of the Child Development Fund (CDF) projects rolled out in Hong Kong on Saturday, offering over 2,100 places to needy children, and the number of places offered this time is almost the sum of the first two batches.

As a strategic measure carried out by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government to tackle inter-generational poverty, the first two batches comprising a total of 22 projects were rolled out in 2009 and 2010, having benefited more than 2,200 children.

The third batch consists of 18 projects, which are encouraged not only to continue engaging children of ethnic minorities and those with disabilities, but also to step up recruitment of children living in cubicles and sub-divided apartments in private tenement buildings or those inadequately housed.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Matthew Cheung, secretary for the Labor and Welfare Bureau for HKSAR government, said to prevent and tackle inter-generational poverty, the projects should not merely focus on meeting children's immediate needs, but more importantly on providing them with adequate opportunities for the development and upgrading of their abilities.

He said the CDF has witnessed encouraging results during the three years of operation. Of the 750 children taking part in the seven pilot projects, over 97 percent have completed the targeted savings.

They are now starting to use the funds made up of their own savings, the matching contributions from the private sector and the financial incentives provided by the HKSAR government to implement personal development plans drawn up in the past two years.

Cheung said the?government will review the experience gained in the first stage of the implementation of the CDF and consider the way forward next year.

"With the concerted efforts of the government, community, families and various sectors of the society, I am sure that we can help the grass roots to build social capital and bring hope to the future of our youngsters."