The list of our most-read (and thus most-loved) stories reflects who we were in 2025.
2025 is a significant year for the Singapore Co-operative Movement (SCM). The Movement, which hailed long before Singapore gained independence, saw three pioneering credit co-operatives in Singapore celebrating their 100th anniversary this year.
The Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF) has done a great deal of fanfare to spotlight this milestone. First, there was the special short film ‘All of Us’ featuring local artistes—Shane Pow, Ahmad Sani and Rusdyina Afiqah—working alongside co-operatives. Then, we kickstarted the Empowering Communities Fund (special thanks to Minister of State Alvin Tan) which now see 22 projects being funded.
But the icing on top would undoubtedly be the unveiling of the SCM 10-Year Transformation Roadmap, which will promise a gamut of initiatives and programmes, categorised under four distinct pillars, aimed at charting the growth of the SCM and rally in younger blood into the ecosystem. This comes after close consultation with 1,200 stakeholders, such as co-operative leaders, young changemakers, and members of the public.
2025 was also a year where we saw leadership changes. First, we bid goodbye to Minister of State (MOS) Alvin Tan who has been both a familiar face and an exponent for the SCM. Second, we saw SNCF’s A-CEO wrapping up her stint with SNCF. And finally, we see a change of arms in the Registry of Co-operative Societies (RCS) in which longstanding co-operative advocate and Registrar Ms Crystal Du has passed the baton to Ms Cheng Min after four and a half years.
Recounting the memorable happenings in the past year, here are the most read stories that our fellow co-operators have read and loved for the year 2025.
The Future of Co-ops is Collaborative: ELP Welcomes Their Largest Batch of Emerging Leaders
Now in its third year, the Emerging Leaders Programme (ELP) is starting to find its stride. This year’s intake is the largest yet, with 14 unique co-operatives dispatching 19 participants across Singapore’s co-operative ecosystem, almost doubled from each intake from the past two years. The programme, first launched in 2023 by the SNCF, is designed to nurture 100 co-op leaders over five years.
Read more here.
New S$1M Fund to Bolster Co-ops’ Support for Vulnerable Communities in Singapore from 2025
The S$1,000,000 Empowering Communities Fund (ECF) is set up by SNCF and RCS, with support from the Movement and the Government. Projects pegged to the fund is meant to support local co-operatives’ efforts to roll out or expand ‘Do Good’ initiatives for vulnerable communities.
Read more here.
Gen Grit: Emily Lim of Dabao Singapore on spreading Singapore’s hawker culture in San Francisco
Dabao Singapore’s founder Emily Lim, 33, is not your conventional chef. The Singapore-born, San Francisco-based culinary force has built a name for herself through sheer grit, a rebellious spirit, and an unwavering love for her homeland’s cuisine.
Read more here.
Singapore Co-operative Movement’s Empowering Communities Fund Backs First Three Co-op Projects
Co-operatives empower communities in ways more than the other. Here, we see how Silver Caregivers Co-operative Limited, Love Empowered Co-operative and Ngee Ann Polytechnic Consumer Co-operative Society help communities in need.
Read more here.
“I hope to shape the future of SSBEC,” says the co-op’s youngest employee Deborah Wong.
What keeps a young person in a job for seven years? We don’t know so we asked Deborah Wong, a staff from one of the three oldest co-operatives the Singapore Statutory Boards Employees' Credit Co-operative (SSBEC).
Read more here.
Co-ops in Singapore Celebrate 100 Years of Founding with New 10-Year Transformation Roadmap
Unveiling the SCM 10-Year Transformation Roadmap at the SCM Centennial Night, Minister of State for Community, Culture and Youth (MCCY) & Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash said: “At the end of the day, we hope to see a co-operative movement that is rejuvenated with vitality and a clear sense of mission – one that continuously and constantly adapts itself to meet emerging needs of our society.”
Read more here.
“We Want Youth to Co-Create With Us”: Natasha Choy on How NTUC Supports Young Singaporeans
Attracting young blood is a key concern amongst co-operatives near and far. According to NTUC Youth’s honcho Natasha Choy showing up in the right spaces and in the right way can do good.
She said: “(NTUC Youth) uses platforms which youths are already engaged with, and we’re experimenting with short-form videos, social media campaigns, and real stories that reflect their lives. We also create safe spaces for open conversations.”
Read more here.
“Entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be lonely,” says Supergreen's founder & SGTUFF's COM Lee Shao Rong
Do you love to eat vegetables? If you do, great! If you don’t, it’s okay. Read this inspiring story on entrepreneurship by SGTUFF’s member-turned COM instead.
Read more here.
Exclusive: SNCF’s Assistant CEO Adeline Kee to Step Down After 4 Years of Service
After four years of service at SNCF, Ms Adeline Kee has stepped down as Assistant Chief Executive Officer on 31 March 2025.
Read more here.
The Volunteers Driving the Singapore Co-operative Movement: Runninghour & E4PID Co-operatives
Here’s a fun fact: According to the National Giving Study 2023 by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre, volunteerism rate has seen a rise over the past few years. Know a volunteer in the SCM with a good story to tell? Tell us here.
Otherwise, read more here.
By Sng Ler Jun
