Objectives
 

The “Common Good in Action” (CGA) project aims to encourage university students to address environmental and social issues, care for neglected groups in the community, and build a sustainable society with diverse approaches. CGA participants can strengthen their personal qualities and implement their self-initiated projects within and outside Hong Kong, China with the awarded subsidy.

< Note: The programme is formerly named the "Dreamer Lab Award">
 

Eligibility
 

Full-time HKBU undergraduate students from UGC-funded programmes 
 

Tracks and Awards

 
Track

Local Track
 

(The proposal targets to community in Hong Kong, China.)

Non-local Track

(The proposal involves travelling to the Chinese Mainland.)

Award Amount
  • Individual application: a subsidy of HK$10,000.

  • Team application in a group of 2 or above students: a subsidy of  

$10,000 for any local project with actual expenses at $10,000 or below

$20,000 for any local project with actual expenses above $10,000 and below $20,000

$30,000 for any local project with actual expenses at $20,000 or above.

  • The project teams being accepted will discuss with their supervisor the project KPIs. If the average KPI falls below 70%, the award funding will be reduced by 30%.
  • Team applications in a group of 2 to 4 students:
    a subsidy of 50% of the proposed budget or total expenses, whichever is lower. The ceiling amount of HK$10,000 per person.

  • To avoid cross-subsidizing, proposals obtained subsidies from other funding sources can still enroll for the CGA but the subsidy granted will not exceed the total expenses.

  • The project teams being accepted will disucss with their supervisor the project KPIs. If the average KPI falls below 70%, the award funding will be reduced by 30%.
Payment Arrangement
  • Representatives of the successful applicants will receive 50% of the award amount within 2 months after the result announcement.

  • The remaining 50% will be given to the representatives of the successful applicants upon the completion of the projects and the completed submission of the required report.

  • LQC reserves the right to withdraw the award if the applicant fails to fulfill at least 20% of the agreed KPIs after the first phase of the project.
  • The full award amount will be given to the representatives of the successful applicants upon completion of the approved trip and the completed submission of the required report.



Related Key Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):

 

E_SDG_PRINT-09 E_SDG_PRINT-09
E_SDG_PRINT-11 E_SDG_PRINT-11
E_SDG_PRINT-17 E_SDG_PRINT-17
Application and Selection Procedures
  • The completed application should be sent to lqc@hkbu.edu.hk by 23:59 pm on 12 October 2025 (1st Round) OR 12 January 2026 (2nd Round).


    <NOTE: 2nd round of application may not open if the budget was fully committed in the 1st round>

  • Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview.

  • Successful applicants will receive the result via email. Normally, a student would be accepted to at most one proposal from each of the local and non-local tracks in each academic year. The interview panel holds the final decision on accepting any students involving in multiple proposals.
Requirements for Approved Applications:
  • Approved applicants should consult the supervising staff from LQC to polish the proposal and submit a finalized plan before execution.

  • Approved applicants should report project progress regularly to the supervising staff from LQC.

  • Within 2 weeks from the last day of the project, approved applicants should submit a project report (a template is available), summary, post-survey, photos, videos, and/ or any other types of evaluation tools as agreed with the supervising staff, to share their experience with the HKBU community or further. All projects should be completed no later than 16 August 2026.

  • Approved applicants may be invited to showcase their experience or outcomes from the project in the current or following academic year.

 

Assessment Criteria

%

Impact

  • Deal with the identified environmental and social issues in a practical way. 
  • Care for neglected group in the community.  
  • Raise awareness of the public and/ or HKBU community towards the identified social issue. 
  • (For non-local track) Able to relate the specific community issues/ learning elements from the destination to the benefits of HKBU or the community of Hong Kong, China.  

35%

Creativity

  • Show unique and creative ideas. 
  • Provide creative solutions in response to the identified social needs.  

25%

Sustainability

  • Able to extend the impact beyond/ establish as a model to be replicated by others.
  • Able to achieve self-financing.  

20%

Organisation

  • Provide a detailed and presentable execution plan. 
  • Able to identify and consider possible risks and provide solutions.  
  • Efficient use of the Budget 

20%

Total

 

100%

Sensei poster Sensei poster
SENsei Art Therapy Training Programme
Culinary Therapy poster Culinary Therapy poster
Inclusive Mindful Bites: Culinary Therapy for Mental Wellness


Current Projects (AY2025-26)

#1 Water Safety Fun Day

An engaging initiative to educate primary school students on water safety through certificated workshops designed to equip them with essential knowledge and skills.

#2 Become a SENsei: Art Therapy Training Programme

A specialised training programme led by registered art therapists to help participants understand the needs of primary school students with Special Education Needs (SEN) via art therapy. The co-created textured paintings will be proudly displayed on campus.

#3 Heung gong Buddy (Cantonese AI Learning Chatbot)

An innovative chatbot designed to help users learn Cantonese interactively, featuring context-rich role-plays, pronunciation coaching, and more.

#4 Small Potato BIG Dream- Inclusive Mindful Bites: Culinary Therapy for Mental Wellness

A culinary therapy project that fosters mental wellness and social inclusion by bringing together HKBU students and high-functioning SEN individuals. Through mindful cooking and baking, participants can relax, connect, and contribute to building a more compassionate campus and community.

 

 

Completed Projects (AY2025-26)
 
Community Café: Become a Chatter – Communication Skills Training Programme <Extended Project from AY2024-25>

Ready to connect, communicate, and grow? The Community Café is back, and we’re inviting you to be part of a vibrant space where conversations spark friendships and personal growth.

Whether you're new to HKBU or simply looking to build deeper connections, this programme offers a supportive environment to develop authentic communication skills that will benefit you throughout university and beyond. Through interactive training and real-life practice, you’ll learn how to initiate conversations, listen actively, and respond with empathy and confidence.

Session 1: Training Workshop: Discover the principles of authentic communication in an engaging workshop. You’ll explore practical techniques for starting meaningful conversations and expressing yourself with clarity and sincerity.

Session 2: Practice with Real-time Coaching: Put your skills into action! Engage in guided conversations with fellow students, supported by real-time coaching and feedback from experienced trainers.  

Session 3: Community Café Service @ Service@TuesDates: Step into the role of a Chatter and connect with community members in a relaxed café setting. Enjoy meaningful dialogue and a live hand-drip coffee demonstration—making this experience both enriching and memorable.

The Community Café, established by the Common Good in Action student team (2024–25), creates supportive spaces for genuine conversations and community connection. Video from 2024-25

 

Chatter Training Poster Chatter Training Poster
Chatter Training Poster


 Check out our YouTube Channel on the selected project outcomes: HERE
 

Study of NGO Effort to Ukrainian Refugees in Poland Study of NGO Effort to Ukrainian Refugees in Poland
Study of NGO Effort to Ukrainian Refugees in Poland
Snapshots for Change: Eco Photo Walk and Eco-Innovation Workshop Snapshots for Change: Eco Photo Walk and Eco-Innovation Workshop
Snapshots for Change: Eco Photo Walk and Eco-Innovation Workshop
Sustainable Entertainment? Need “US” Sustainable Entertainment? Need “US”
Sustainable Entertainment? Need “US”


 

 Understanding Social Discrimination Through the Lens of Hong Kong Refugees: Ethnic Minority Inclusion Programme  Understanding Social Discrimination Through the Lens of Hong Kong Refugees: Ethnic Minority Inclusion Programme
Understanding Social Discrimination Through the Lens of Hong Kong Refugees: Ethnic Minority Inclusion Programme
Community Café: Becoming a Chatter Community Café: Becoming a Chatter
Community Café: Becoming a Chatter
Green Explorer Green Explorer
Green Explorer in Society Leadership Service Programme


 

Restoring Nature: Tie-dye with Food Waste Restoring Nature: Tie-dye with Food Waste
Restoring Nature: Tie-dye with Food Waste
Typit.app Typit.app
Typit.app
Generation Sustainability Generation Sustainability
Generation Sustainability: The Connection between Elderly and Generation Z


 

IMG_0249 IMG_0249
An Exploration of Cultural Integration in New Zealand
Ceramics Cycle Ceramics Cycle
Ceramics Cycle
Monkey in Safari Tour Monkey in Safari Tour
Ecotour: Wildlife in Tanzania


 

Shenzhen team Shenzhen team
Exploration of the Revival of Villages through Artistics Endeavours in Shenzhen
team 1 team 1
Study of the Repercussions of Climate Change of the Local Economy in Nepal
Thailand team Thailand team
Study of the Lives of Neglected Immigrant Community in Thailand


 

Netherland (1) Netherland (1)
Research about Happiness in the Netherlands
UK (1) UK (1)
Documentary about Heat Wave in the UK
E newsletter photo size (3) E newsletter photo size (3)
Magazine about Good Health and Wellness with Chinese Medicines


 

童唱世界 (1) 童唱世界 (1)
Singing & English Tutorials for Children from Low-income Families
視郵行 (1) 視郵行 (1)
Puzzle-solving Game about the Livelihood of People with Physical Disabilities
4c8a152d-2128-4b57-968b-c63506465907 4c8a152d-2128-4b57-968b-c63506465907
Mobile Application on Health Advice from the Chinese Medical Perspectives