More than 60 youths from four sectors — Singapore Co-operative Movement, National Youth Council (NYC), NTUC Youth, and the People’s Association Youth Movement — turned up at the inaugural Hustle with Heart dialogue on Thursday evening (8 May). 

Organised by the Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF), the closed-door event was designed to prompt raw, ground-up conversations about what it means to build a life that’s purpose-driven in Singapore, especially at a time when traditional notions of career success are being redefined and amid rising global economic tension. 

Special guest Minister of State, Ministry of National Development & Trade and Industry Alvin Tan shared on the role of co-ops in Singapore and how it has evolved to address community needs over the years, from providing affordable daily necessities to offering financial assistance and services for vulnerable groups. Mr Tan was the former Minister of State for Community, Culture, and Youth. 

Mr Tan also noted the significance of 2025 as the centennial year of the Singapore Co-operative Movement, and encouraged participants to contribute their perspectives on emerging social needs and explore ways that co-operatives could complement existing government and community initiatives. 

Local social enterprise Friendzone helped facilitate the dialogue, which saw a gamut of focus group discussions, and on-site networking among the youths. Mr Tan, who stayed throughout the event, also chimed in and heard from different groups. 

At the event, youths were asked to vote on numerous topics that run the gamut from meaningful work to social impact. In one, they voted passion, values and personal growth as the top three motivators that spurred them to give back to society. 

In another, most youths preferred choosing to start something from the ground, such as spotting a gap in the market and co-creating solutions with one another. 

In small focus group discussions, participants sat in clusters of five with a facilitator to explore the realities of entering the social good space, and the barriers that come with it. 

One youth from PAYM questioned the belief that meaningful work must come at the expense of personal commitments. Instead of viewing time or relationships as sacrifices, he suggested involving loved ones in the process. Volunteering, too, has evolved. Instead of just about showing up, volunteering is about gaining skill-based experiences that can be carried over into professional life, he said.

“We had a very deep and fruitful conversation. Everyone shared personal stories about why they feel purposeful in the work they do,” said Chong Jia Yi, Deputy Director of NTUC Youth and Industrial Relations Practitioner. “One point that came up was how every person is unique and has their own challenges. Purpose isn’t always about work; it’s also about chasing what matters to you. But pursuing purpose can mean sacrifice other things, like time. That’s why having safety nets or supportive policies could really help youths find that balance.”

Another participant, who claims to have run several non-profit organisations, reflected on the importance of shared spaces like this. Many initiatives, he said, struggle not because of a lack of passion or ideas, but due to limited resources and capacity to execute. Events like ‘Hustle With Heart’ offer a platform to share insights, pool support, and spark collaborations that could make youth-led efforts more sustainable and impactful.

The insights and reflections gathered throughout the evening won’t end at the table. They will feed into the development of the Singapore Co-operative Movement’s 10-year Transformation Roadmap, a long-term initiative co-led by the SNCF and the Registry of Co-operative Societies. Announced in March this year, the roadmap charts a strategic vision for a more inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready co-operative sector, and youth voices will play a critical role in shaping what that future looks like.

The Singapore Co-operative Movement Insider spotlights collaborative efforts of Singaporean co-operatives, and more.

By Sng Ler Jun