Commonly Asked Questions
Learn more about Site Activation and how CollaborateHK can help.
No :)
CollaborateHK is a not-for-profit organization that provides FREE advisory services to empower bottom-up place activation - we do not charge, nor pay, any fee in the Collaboration. Still, we welcome your generous support if you share the same values and want to make the community better. Explore ways to support us >
You will be the Project Champion, and we will be your supporting partner throughout the journey!
CollaborateHK views ourselves as an intermediary that facilitates project implementation by sharing experiences, providing advice, liaising with stakeholders, curating public engagement and evaluating the project.
Therefore, you are responsible for submitting the applications, managing the site, delivering, operating and monitoring your proposed project. You are also responsible for all costs and liabilities generated from the application and project implementation.
CollaborateHK welcomes everyone with creative ideas to come forward and talk to us about how, or if we can help realize these. However, if you are applying for an STT-VGL site, you need to be either a registered NGO or a recognized Social Enterprise (SE) as required by Lands Department. Learn more >
*STT-VGL – Short Term Tenancies for Temporary Use of Vacant Government Land for Community, Institutional or Non-Profit Making Purposes
Sorry, it’s a NO.
CollaborateHK’s belief is to empower "by the community, for the community" initiatives that best echo local aspirations. To achieve that, it is crucial to encourage continuous stakeholders’ participation throughout the project.
We believe public engagement will be a fruitful process that adds dimensions, builds support, gathers comments and finds solutions for your project!
Happy to hear from you!
Normally we would contact you within 2 weeks when the form is received and arrange a meet-up to further discuss your idea. If you receive no reply, please do not hesitate to contact us again.
We would love to explore any form of placemaking collaborations that could make an impact.
Drop us an email > and see how we can make it happen together.
Unfortunately, CollaborateHK does not support profit-making projects at the moment.
Yes, it is possible.
Yet, you should expect a more complicated process at the Audit & Assessment phase, for checking the availability and status of the target site.
Talk to us > if you spot an underutilized site with great potential
With reference to previous projects, it takes more than a year to process the application on average. The time and complexity depend on the project’s scale, site condition, layout design, programming, public and government’s support. So make sure your project is not in an urgency.
It varies, but by definition, Short Term Tenancy (STT) generally refers to a land tenancy signed with the government for up to 7 years. Depending on project performance, government support and site availability, the tenancy may be renewed.
That’s why we are here :)
In view of overwhelming information and lengthy application procedures, CollaborateHK comes and serves as a platform to fill this gap. With a shared vision for better space, we will walk through the ABCDE journey > with you. Send us an Expression of Interest Form > and start your own project.
For the STT-VGL site application, each project could receive a maximum of HK$ 60 million > to cover the costs of one-off, essential infrastructure upgrade, consultation and insurance incurred from early site restoration works. However, you will be responsible for the remaining interior renovation, operation and maintenance costs.
You are welcomed to contribute your resources, expertise and ideas as a Collaborator or Professional Advisor at different stage.
Learn about different opportunities to get involved >
