Application Process

If you are interested in applying for SEE Mark, first please register an account. Once your application is received, HKGCSE will contact you within 5 working days to initiate your application. The certification and approval process takes time. The actual time depends on each respective application. We will keep you updated regarding your application status.
HKGCSE will approve new applications every 4 months, namely in April, August and December of each year. Applications submitted before the midpoint of the 4-month cycle (i.e., February 1, June 1, and October 1 each year) will be reviewed at the upcoming panel meeting; applications submitted after this point will be reviewed at the next panel meeting.
For example:
  • Application submitted in January → will be reviewed in the panel meeting in April
  • Application submitted in March  → will be reviewed in the panel meeting in August

SEE Mark Application Fee & Validation Period :

Category Discounted Fee (2022-2023) Validation period Annual Update
Incubating HK$1,000 2 year HK$300
Intermediate HK$2,000 3 years HK$300
Advanced HK$3,000 3 years HK$600

Remarks:

  • 1. Applicable for SE/SE Project with different number of outlets under same brand and service nature.
  • 2. Maximum of 5 outlets for the same Social Enterprise/Social Enterprise Project are allowed for each application, then $1000 for every extra 5 SE/Social Enterprise Project on top of the particular application.
  • 3. Application fee would not be refunded if the application fails.
Annual Update cycle: every 12 months after the SEE Mark takes effect
Regardless of any update is needed, the accredited social enterprise must return the signed form and fee to the SEE Mark Specialist Team (Specialist Team) of Hong Kong General Chamber of Social Enterprises (“HKGCSE”). Otherwise, the “SEE Mark” of that social enterprise will be invalid automatically, and it should no longer use the SEE Mark.
Categories of Eligibility
Social Mission Years of Operation / Full-time Equivalents (FTEs)* Financial Requirement
Incubating ✓ Operated for more than 3 months but less than 2 years Provide audit report / profit & loss statement; not less than 65% of its distributed profit are reinvested in the business for the social purpose
Intermediate ✓ Operated for 2 or more years OR More than 5 Full-time Equivalents Provide audit report / profit & loss statement; At least 50% of income generated from business; AND not less than 65% of its distributed profit are reinvested in the business for the social purpose
Advanced ✓ Operated for 5 or more years OR More than 10 Full-time Equivalents Provide audit report / profit & loss statement; At least 50% of income generated from business; AND not less than 65% of its distributed profit are reinvested in the business for the social purpose
Applicant may fulfil the basic requirement of more than one categories. HKGCSE is ready to give opinions if requested, but each applicant reserves the final decision on which category to apply for.
*One employee working full-time is equivalent to 1 FTE. For part-time staff, the FTEs are calculated by adding together the total number of hours worked per week by all the part-time employees and dividing this figure by the number of hours a full-time employee would normally work per week. You then add the total number of full-time staff and the FTEs for part-time staff together to calculate your overall FTE figure. The number of working hours of full-time and part-time employees can vary widely from organisation to another (e.g., may range from 18 to 44 hours of work per week, 52 weeks per year). Please use your own organisation’s number of hours for calculating full-time equivalent employees.
No. of employee 5 full-time 20 part-time Full time FTEs = 5 Part time FTEs = 100/44 = 2.27Total number of FTEs = 5 + 2.27 = 7.27
Total no. of working hour per week 44 hours / person 100 hours in total (e.g. 20 x 5 hours each per week)

Assessment Criteria and Outline

Part A: Organization Profile
  1. General Information
  2. Output-outcome mapping
  3. Resources input
  4. Challenge and opportunity
Part B: Operational Policies and Processes
  1. Business Strategy & Execution
  2. HR Policies and practices
  3. Community Engagement
  4. Customer Satisfaction
  5. Ethical Consumption and Social Values Education and Communication
  6. Financial Management
  7. Governance and Leadership
Summary of assessment areas for each category
Part A Part B
Organization Profile Business Strategies & Execution HR Policies and Practices Community Engagement Customer Satisfaction Ethical Consumption & Social Values Education and Communication Finance Management Governance and Leadership
Incubating ✓ × × × × × × ×
A business plan is required; Assessment on voluntary basis to gain feedback
Intermediate ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Support documents/description of required policies; Explanation on compliance and non-compliance
Advanced ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Able to demonstrate good practices in all areas with supporting documents

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