Since its launch in 2025, the Empowering Communities Fund (ECF) has been reshaping how Singapore's co-operatives give back.

Jointly established by the Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF) and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), with funding support from the Central Co-operative Fund, the Government and the Singapore Labour Foundation (SLF), the S$1 million fund was set up to help co-ops turn ground-up ideas into real, tangible support for Singapore's vulnerable communities.

At the time of this story, the fund has committed a full S$1M to support 21 projects, each a ground-up initiative by Singapore’s co-operatives. Projects run the gamut from eldercare to financial literacy to community inclusion, so long as they serve vulnerable groups.

In this issue, we spotlight several co-operatives and some of their ECF-backed projects they've rolled out for their communities.

Singapore Prison Co-operative Society

The collaboration between Singapore Prison Service Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society and PPIS Rise Above Halfway House brought about a meaningful family outing to the zoo, bringing together beneficiaries and alumni from the Halfway House and their children for a day of bonding, learning and shared memories. Hosted in early July, the event saw school-going children receiving Popular bookshop vouchers. Together as a family, they attended an introductory workshop on crisis management in children, took part in a joint painting activity of their family, and spent quality time together during the free and easy time at the zoo.

This initiative – Bond and Beyond, held in partnership with PPIS, a non-profit dedicated to supporting women of all ages in their multiple roles in society, which runs Rise Above as a secular halfway house for women in community rehabilitation programmes, was funded by the ECF. It reflects a broader push to give children and families of halfway house residents opportunities to rebuild trust and create positive shared memories together.

GP+ Co-operative

About 10 beneficiaries have been able to receive treatment for hepatitis C (HCV) through the “Community HCV Complete Care Project”, an ECF-supported project led by GP+ Co-operative. The co-operative worked closely with some halfway houses in Singapore. Many beneficiaries were unaware they had HCV, while the cost of treatment and need for repeated hospital visits could put care out of reach and disrupt work and their reintegration into society. By bringing screening, treatment and follow-up care directly into the halfway houses, the project significantly reduces these barriers and makes it easier for vulnerable individuals to complete their treatment. The initiative was made possible through ECF, with collaboration across healthcare, pharmaceutical, laboratory and community partners, together with GP+ doctors who contributed their services, creating a more accessible model of care for an underserved population

GP+ Co-operative

In another ECF project, GP+ Co-operative organised nine health and wellness talks to staff, volunteers and members of co-operatives and social good organisations. These are folks who often focus on caring for and serving others and may have limited resources to invest in its own health and well-being.

Through the ECF-supported initiative, the co-operative brought doctors and healthcare professionals into these communities to help participants recognise health risks earlier, manage stress and ageing-related concerns, and importantly, understand when, where and how to seek help within Singapore’s healthcare system. The positive response showed an impact beyond raising awareness, with participants gaining the knowledge and confidence to take greater ownership of their health and make more informed decisions for themselves and their loved ones. The project has also catalysed new discussions on health and wellness collaborations with co-operatives and social good organisations, potentially extend this support to more communities beyond the initial talks.

NTUC Enterprise Co-operative, with NTUC Health Co-operative

In early-September, NTUC Enterprise Co-operative partnered NTUC Health Home Care for the second run of its “Jalan Jalan” initiative, bringing 17 seniors and nine caregivers on a day out at Gardens by the Bay.

After the walk at the Flower Dome, the seniors had lunch with the volunteers at the Jurassic Nest Food Hall. Each senior also received a booklet with stickers to engage them in a mini activity with their assigned volunteer (and family) before the walk and to paste their stickers in the booklet after accomplishing each checkpoint.

A Good Space Co-operative

A Good Space Co-operative’s “A Good Neighbour” project brings residents around their own neighbourhoods to discover community initiatives, meet the people behind them and build stronger ties with one another. Where possible, residents may also be encouraged to start their own community support groups.

At Lengkok Bahru, a small group led by Dr Justin Lee visited Food from the Heart’s Community Shop, The Saturday Movement’s community lunch for seniors, Tak Takut Kids Club and Enabling Village. An unplanned stop at Mdm Marlina Yased’s Community Fridge also showed how a resident-led initiative can grow from food support into providing other daily essentials.

The day before, the team had conducted a similar walk around the Delta Avenue area, introducing participants to places such as a community thrift shop and a mosque, while helping to connect different community groups with one another. This is A Good Space Co-operative’s second ECF project.

SASCO

SASCO’s Guardian Angel Project was already supporting 50 seniors living alone across Singapore. With additional funding, the co-operative expanded the initiative to another 13 households, allowing more seniors to benefit from an added layer of support at home.

In the project, motion sensors are installed at key areas such as the bathroom, living room, bedside and kitchen to detect unusual periods of inactivity. When this happens, SASCO staff are alerted and can check in on the senior to ensure they are safe.

The expansion shows how additional support can help co-operatives build on existing programmes and extend their impact to more people in the community.

By Sng Ler Jun

Image courtesy of our co-operatives.