To mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Singapore Co-operative Movement, the Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF) announced steps to revitalise the co-operative (co-op) sector last Friday (Sep 19).  

Unveiling the 10-Year Transformation Roadmap for the Singapore Co-operative Movement, 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.”  

He was speaking at the Singapore Co-operative Movement Centennial Night, which saw 400 co-operators and guests in attendance. This is Mr Dinesh’s first official engagement with the co-operative movement, following his appointment into the MCCY portfolio in May this year. 

Mr Dinesh also noted that co-ops are recognised for their effectiveness in delivering purposeful impact and making a real difference in the lives of their members.  

“Many of these transformative initiatives would not have been possible without the wonderful and strong partnership that co-ops had together with SNCF and MCCY,” he added.  

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Read the full speech by MOS Dinesh Vasu Dash at the SCM Centennial Night Reaching further into the communities, (co-ops) also extend care to the elderly, less privileged, and the vulnerable. They have exemplified what it means to live in a “We First” society. 

Carried out by SNCF and in consultation with MCCY, the decade-long Transformation Roadmap was developed over five months through extensive engagements with 1,200 stakeholders. They include co-op leaders, emerging leaders from the co-op sector, youths, unions, and members of the public.  

At these engagements, participants noted the need for co-ops to raise their profiles among the public, highlight meaningful career pathways they provide, and build stronger capabilities in governance and day-to-day efficiency.  

These insights shaped a 10-Year Transformation Roadmap built around four strategic pillars (Talent & Leadership, Governance & Stewardship, Operational Excellence & Scale-up, and Community Outreach & Impact), outlining initiatives to meet sector needs and advance co-ops’ social missions, said SNCF’s Chief Executive Officer Ang Hin Kee.  

“We are strengthening our co-ops’ leadership base and sharpening their ability to execute exceptionally. Just as importantly, co-ops’ ability to sustain its social responsibility and values will be further strengthened,” Mr Ang said. “We believe these values must take deeper root, so that more Singaporeans and our members can put these ideals like self-help and mutual assistance into practice.” 

For a start, co-ops can look forward to more support in attracting new talents into the Movement.  

Co-operative Leaders Programme (CLP), a new programme under the Talent & Leadership pillar, will further nurture co-operative leaders in the Movement. CLP will provide co-operators with three to10 years of experience opportunities to strengthen leadership and business management skills. SNCF seeks to enable 150 co-operators under this programme.  

"When I became a committee member at the co-op, we only learnt through experience. We hope that with CLP, there will be courses to help socialise co-ops and their missions, and to build leadership skills to scale up,” said Mr John Raghavan, Chairperson of the Singapore Government Staff Credit Co-operative (SGSCC) and SNCF Executive Council member. 

Having joined the co-operative in 1983 as a junior civil servant, Mr John has seen how credit co-ops like SGSCC uplift lives. He added: “Back then, civil servants’ pay was meagre. The credit co-op was helpful; I could take loans to buy books, uniforms and shoes for my children, with repayment deducted from my salary automatically and without late payment fees.” 

The first CLP cohort is set to commence in early 2026.   

Reflecting on her journey, youth co-operator Raena Leang shared that she has learnt about the unique nature of co-ops as businesses, and their strong potential to be a core part of any society’s socio-economic fabric. "Being part of the movement, and of a co-operative, has given me first-hand experience of the empowerment, pride, and autonomy that co-op members enjoy, as well as the challenges co-operatives face," said Ms Leang, who is a Relations & Solutions Partner at SNCF and also supports GP+ Co-operative through a part-time secondment. "I have also learnt the need to balance business needs with social goals, a balance that is essential for co-operatives to thrive sustainably.

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New Short Film by SNCF Commemorates 100th Anniversary of the Singapore Co-operative Movement ‘All of Us’ is a short film inspired by the origins of Singapore’s credit co-operatives and inclusive sports co-operative Runninghour. It follows the formation of co-operatives across two eras – the 1980s and today.

First founded in 1925 to help low wage workers access credit and not fall prey to illegal moneylenders, co-ops have uplifted the lives of members and empowered communities at large in Singapore. The earliest co-ops are credit co-ops operated on the principles of self-help and mutual assistance, offering members a fair and collective way to save, borrow and support one another.  

Today, there are 75 co-ops in Singapore, serving sectoral needs that run the gamut from eldercare, children with developmental needs, and persons with special needs, to name a few.  

By Sng Ler Jun