SwireTHRIVE

Communities

Position our community initiative as part of our core business value

SwireTHRIVE - COMMUNITIES

Beneficiaries

>2.8M

Beneficiaries of our active programmes in 2024

Trust contributions

HK$47M

Distributed by the Swire Group Charitable Trust

Contributions

HK$132M

In cash and in-kind donations to the community by the Group including our operating companies

Our diverse businesses are part of the long-term development of the communities and societies in which we operate. When those communities prosper, so do we. As neighbours and employers, we want to be connected, involved, and responsible.

The goal of our community work is to create a better future by building stronger communities. We envision a flourishing world of diversity where all members of society have opportunities for a meaningful life, and where resources are sustained for future generations. We support the local communities in which we operate through The Swire Group Charitable Trust (the Trust). Operating companies also make direct contributions to the communities in which they operate.

The Swire Group Charitable Trust

“As we reflect on the past year, we are proud to continue our connect-the-dots strategy in our philanthropic work, building on the foundation laid by the TrustTomorrow initiative. Our focus has been on creating collaborative networks to address unmet needs in society, ensuring that our efforts are impactful and sustainable.”

The Trust aims to make positive changes in education, marine conservation, and the arts through support for charitable programmes in Hong Kong. The Trust has tax-exempt charitable status in Hong Kong and is funded by annual contributions from operating companies. It is overseen by the Philanthropy Council, which is chaired by a member of strategic leadership. Guided by the Swire motto – Esse Quam Videri (to be rather than seem to be) – the Trust is motivated by altruism and acts for the direct benefit of society and the greater good.

The work of the Trust focuses on three core areas:

Education

To enhance education equity, quality, and innovation for disadvantaged children and youth.

Marine conservation

To help create sustainable marine ecosystems in Hong Kong through policy change, public engagement, and scientific research.

Arts

To promote an inclusive arts sector and to use arts to address social issues.

Committed amount

(HK $M)

	Ongoing	Complete
Arts	0	17
Education	62	6
Marine	54	12
Other	36	3

Grants

In 2024, the Swire Trust supported 45 education, marine conservation, arts, and other community and collaborative network building programme grants, completed 9 projects, and distributed approximately HK$47 million. The Swire Trust continues to support inspirational projects in the respective three focus areas, connecting the Company’s staff, the Trust’s NGO partners, and the community to build social capital, create opportunities, and motivate positive change in Hong Kong.

Our employees contributed 1,176 hours of service in 2024 via the Swire Trust staff engagement programme. During the year, the Group including our operating companies made charitable contribution (cash and in-kind) of HK$132 million.

Through our long-term presence in the community, our broad-range connections with local organisations, and our active participation in the social sector, the Trust team has a clear understanding of the latest needs and trends of the society in the respective focus areas. This allows the team to focus resources on areas that most needed support.

The Trust, led by the Group Head of Philanthropy, sources new projects by engaging with NGOs and other stakeholders in the respective social sectors. Apart from aligning with the Trust’s pillars of focus, potential projects should demonstrate that they could serve underserved groups or potential for upscaling.

Those potential projects are invited to submit applications, which then go through an approval process by the Philanthropy Council. Successful projects continue to be monitored by the Trust on their progress and governance until the projects end.

The following pages detail selected projects active in 2024 and our volunteer work in our communities.

Spotlight

Transformation in Taikoo Primary School

Celebrating its 101^st anniversary, Taikoo Primary School (TPS) is committed to holistic student development with a focus on positive education. The school has enhanced its facilities with cutting-edge sports amenities, including a new Switch sports area. A revised timetable aligns with government policies, shifting afternoon sessions to emphasise quality homework and enriching activities. Collaboration with Swire operating companies further enhances learning; students visited the Swire Archive for inspiration on "I Love Taikoo" summer homework, while teachers explored urban biodiversity at Taikoo Square.

Looking ahead, TPS will serve as an Education Bureau demonstration school for the shuttlecock curriculum, continuing to optimise its policies and nurture well-rounded individuals.

Key projects

Selected projects active in 2024

Core area

All
Education
Marine conservation
Arts
Others

Organisation	Purpose	Core area	Grant value (HK$)
Taikoo Primary School	The Taikoo Primary School was established by the Group in 1923. The Group remains involved in the school’s governance and the Trust provides an annual donation to employ extra language teachers to strengthen the school’s English and Mandarin language teaching and support other costs.	education	9,000,000
Resolve Foundation Limited	The “Stand By Me” pilot programme will partner with five local secondary schools over a three-year period to equip educators and students with knowledge and confidence to drive more inclusive campuses in secondary schools.	education	5,542,000
The Outward Bound Trust of Hong Kong	The “Foundation for Success” Project is an experiential peace-building programme for disadvantaged youths. The programme enables young people to explore the relationship among self, others and the environment, enabling them to become effective contributors in future through an 8-day experiential outdoor programme plus 1-day of reflection workshop.	education	5,427,960
Act Plus Education Foundation	The “Animator Development Programme “is a 3-year programme designed to include personal and professional development where underprivileged youths are to become future assets in the Digital Creative Industry.	education	5,300,000
Hong Kong Maritime Museum	The creation of a first-of-its kind exhibition space, the Swire Marine Discovery Centre, and a marine science learning platform that will enhance public awareness on marine issues, promote collaboration, and cultivate a marine eco-civilised community in Hong Kong, setting the pre-condition to ultimately protect our marine environment in the long term.	marine conservation	15,000,000
Xiamen University Education Development Foundation	The donation will enable the Xiamen University Dongshan Swire Marine Station (D-SMART) to conduct long-term marine monitoring and scientific research and organise marine education and scientific activities. It will also facilitate the creation of a marine conservation alliance aimed at raising public awareness of marine protection.	marine conservation	6,000,000
The Nature Conservancy Hong Kong	Phase one of this initiative aims to restore, maintain, and manage the high ecological habitat at Pak Nai (Deep Bay). In Phase two, the grant will continue to protect the sensitive biodiversity along the coast of Pak Nai and develop long-term policy recommendations for the proposed Coastal Protection Park.	marine conservation	Phase 1: 3,577,000 Phase 2: 5,501,000
The University of Hong Kong - The Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS)	The Swire Coastal Outreach Hub (SCOH) based at Hong Kong University’s marine research facility, The Swire Institute of Marine Science, is a new outreach space completed with marine education programmes and tours, aim at inviting Hong Kong communities to voyage into the world of marine science and learn about Hong Kong’s rich marine biodiversity.	marine conservation	4,401,000
The Hong Kong Philharmonic Society Limited Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts	Swire Trust’s funding helped establish a new initiative, The Orchestra Academy, which aims to nurture next-generation musicians in Hong Kong with well-rounded music and career-focused training.	arts	9,436,000
Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong	Swire Trust is providing operational funding to assist the organisation in promoting the arts and artistic talent among persons with disabilities, creating equal opportunities for these individuals in the arts sector and fostering social integration.	arts	7,500,000
The Hong Kong Council of Social Service Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council Limited InspiringHK Sports Foundation Limited Playright Children's Play Association The Zubin Mahtani Gidumal Foundation Limited The Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council	Already in its third round of funding, the project continued its multi-NGOs partnership, community-based co-creation model, which aims to foster community engagement in Tung Chung, to empower new and existing Tung Chung residents as active contributors, enhancing societal cohesion and inclusiveness.	others	15,628,000
St. James' Settlement	The co-creation of a special community hub, Quarryside, for the Eastern District in Hong Kong which aims to foster a closer, vibrant and more sustainable community.	others	15,000,000

Spotlight

Fostering marine conservation with Xiamen University

Swire funded Xiamen University to establish the marine science research centre - Dongshan Swire Marine Station (D-SMART) in 2011. Today, D-SMART integrates with the National Observation and Research Station for the Taiwan Strait Marine Ecosystem, enhancing its role in advancing marine research and conservation.

In 2024, Swire pledged an extra donation to support long-term monitoring, research, and education. This backing will initiate a marine conservation alliance in the Chinese Mainland, uniting sectors to provide science-based policy recommendations for public awareness. The initiative will also connect HAECO Xiamen and Swire Coca-Cola Xiamen staff and families to contribute to this worthy cause.

Spotlight

Building Community, Building Tung Chung

Now in its fifth year, the "Building Community, Building Tung Chung" programme thrives on collaboration with local NGOs, champions of the community, Swire’s operating companies, and dedicated staff.

Through uniting diverse groups in Tung Chung—children, youth, ethnic minorities, and families—it weaves a resilient social fabric. Touching 55,000 lives, the programme enhances resource accessibility and strengthens communal bonds.

Its goal extends beyond aid, encouraging community members to support one another, fostering a culture of mutual assistance. This reflects our deep-rooted commitment to Tung Chung, the community where we operate.

Spotlight

Celebrating Quarryside’s first anniversary

“Quarryside”, a community space in Quarry Bay, celebrated its first year anniversary in 2024. Sponsored by the Swire Trust, supported by Swire Properties and operated by St. James' Settlement, Quarryside also received support from the Development Bureau's “Funding Scheme to Support the Use of Vacant Government Sites by Non-government Organisations”.

Quarryside has been honoured at the Asian Townscape Awards 2024 as the sole Hong Kong project. The jury commended the significance to local residents, the vibrant community activities, and the sophisticated design, which makes it a successful case for sustainable urban space creation.

Supporting our communities through our staff and our businesses

	Swire Trust	Property	Beverages	Aviation	Trading & Industrial	Swire Pacific (Head office)
Total value of cash contributions (HK$ thousand)	47,006	59,921	5,564	680	56	9,116
Value of in-kind contributions (HK$ thousand)	-	6,759	906	18	2,046	-
Volunteering hours	1,176	12,696	172,023	2,786	1,321	-

Supporting the community through our people

In 2024, the Swire Trust’s staff engagement programme enabled employees across the Group to contribute to meaningful activities. Through these activities, our people provided direct support to our community and gained a deeper understanding of various social needs.

An example of how the Trust engages employees across the Group is its work with The Nature Conservancy in protecting Pak Nai's rich biodiversity through research and conservation management. Colleagues from Cathay Pacific, John Swire and Sons (H.K.), and Swire Coca-Cola HK have rolled up their sleeves to reconfigure oyster reefs and remove invasive species from the mudflat.

In a different marine conservation awareness raising initiative, students of Taikoo Primary School transformed abandoned oyster shells into a shimmering Christmas tree for their campus. The project goes beyond art; it sparks the students' interest in marine conservation and fosters a deeper understanding of the environment.

Spotlight

A Collective Effort in Youth Empowerment

As part of Swire Trust’s mission to support education, one of our grants covers Act Plus Education Foundation (Act Plus), an NGO that empowers underprivileged youth through animation and media education. Beyond the grant, colleagues across the Group have actively come together to support Act Plus's youth. Collaborations included CV clinic and interview workshops led by Swire Hotels’ HR professionals, where students receive hands-on experience in navigating job interviews.

In addition, colleagues from HAECO, Swire Properties, Swire Resources, and John Swire and Sons (H.K.) have stepped up as mentors through the Swire Trust Mentorship Programme, offering one-on-one support and guidance to nurture the growth of the youth.

As a meaningful exchange, Act Plus students hosted an animation-making workshop, sharing their expertise with our staff and their families.

Looking forward

Following the successful TrustTomorrow programme that concluded in 2023, the Trust underwent a strategic review to refine its vision and mission in 2024. We aim to build a stronger ecosystem for social change by empowering people and protecting nature.

In 2025, we look forward to continuing collaborative efforts across the Group to support community initiatives, foster meaningful connections, and amplify our impact. Operating companies across the Group will also continue to give back to their respective communities through their businesses.

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