China Social Work Project Fund

Keswick Foundation (KF) has been supporting the development of social work education in mainland China for over 20 years. The Master of Social Work (China) Programme, guided by professors from Hong Kong Polytechnic University with support from Peking University, trained over 250 social work educators scattering in different parts of China. Many graduates later became leaders in training the younger generation, introducing them with social work theories and concepts to approach causes of social problems, subsequently, building contextualised social work service models.

To date, social work has become one of popular courses across universities. While these social work educators continue to be the pioneer in practice teaching, practice research and practicum training in cities and rural areas, their practice experiences remain wanting.

Therefore, in 2014, KF set up the China Social Work Project Fund to provide capacity building for social work educators. Over the years, 18 social service projects have been conceived in collaboration with local universities and social service agencies. They supported various vulnerable groups across 16 provinces and cities. Teaching curriculum, new social service agencies, young social workers and educators have been nurtured through the projects.

Phase III has begun in 2021, with 8 new projects selected in different parts of China. More information to come.

Phase II (2016 -2020)

Minzu University of China
— Capacity Building of the ‘Eco Migrant Families’ in Xilingol League

www.muc.edu.cn/index.html

Inner Mongolia University
— Family-based Mutual Support Network for Endemic Disease Prevention in Pastoral Areas

www.imu.edu.cn

Shihezi University
— Support Services for Poor Kazak Families Under Resettlement Policy

www.shzu.edu.cn/

China Youth University of Political Studies
— Intervention and Development Plan for Low-income Families

www.international.cyu.edu.cn/

Shandong Women’s University
— Family-based Village-to-residential Child Development Project

www.en.sdwu.edu.cn/