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Former Fanling Magistracy: The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) Institute for Leadership Development

• Selected applicant: The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups
• Capital cost: About HK$87.5 million
• Government subsidy required for operation of social enterprise: About HK$3.05 million

General Project Description

• To convert the Former Fanling Magistracy into the first leadership education institute in Hong Kong; and
• To develop a programme of conservation education to focus on heritage revitalisation.

Historical Significance

The historical significance of the building will be brought out and maintained by:

• Providing guided tours to explore the building and to learn about the history of law in Hong Kong. To make the Institute a landmark of cultural heritage at Northern New Territories and the wider Fanling area;
• Creating mobile APP for self-guided tours;
• Reserving funding for maintenance of the historic site and a well-planned Heritage Conservation Corner for public appreciation of the historical significance of the site; and
• Engaging young people in participating in the documentation of the revitalisation process together with professionals and scholars in running the Heritage Conservation Corner and conducting guided tours so as to enhance their commitment on heritage conservation issues.

Technical Aspects

• Modern day requirements will be complied with;
• All four prison cells will be retained for exhibition purposes;
• A glass wall for the garages will be added so that the visitors can appreciate; and
• The allotment of space is balanced and description of usage supported by illustrations.

Social Benefits

The project will bring benefits to the society by:

• Becoming the pioneer in leadership education for Hong Kong which would be beneficial to Hong Kong in need of people of bright caliber to make it more competitive;
• Showing the process from "preservation" to the "revitalisation" of the heritage through an interactive mobile app which will be co-developed with General Education Department, The University of Hong Kong for presentation of the revitalisation process of the building and its historical significance;
• Enhancing the cooperation and exchanges opportunities for local and the world leaders; and
• Setting up a social enterprise to take care of the needs of the community.

Selected Organisation

The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups has more than 50 years of experience in serving the youth of Hong Kong. The Federation has a youth network of 360,000 and provides provide quality services that address the issues and concerns of young people, while promoting their all-round development. Over 60 service units organise more than 20,000 activities annually, with attendance to the various programmes now standing at five million a year.

Way Forward

• The selected organisation has to:
  • complete the detailed project design;
  • complete the required administrative procedures;
  • seek planning permission from the Town Planning Board on the intended usage;
  • seek formal funding approval from the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council;
  • carry out the renovation work (anticipated renovation period: around 14 months);
  • apply for licences (where applicable) for intended operations; and
  • sign with the Government agreements on operations of the social enterprise and preservation of the historic building.
• Anticipated Project Commissioning Time: 2016
• Anticipated Breakeven Time: Year 3