About Us

The Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF) is the apex body of Singapore’s Co-operative Movement, and secretariat of the Central Co-operative Fund (CCF). Formed in 1980 with the aim of championing Singapore’s Co-operative Movement, the apex body represents 99% of co-operative members in Singapore through its affiliated co-operatives. Today, the Movement boasts a base of more than 1.4 million members.

SNCF is a member of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) and the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU). It enjoys co-operative relationship with the United Nations, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and other
international and regional bodies.

WHAT WE DO

Our comprehensive programs help Co-operatives strengthen their enterprises so they can better serve their members, the broader community and transform the national economy.

These include:

National & Sector-wide Representation
Co-operative Formation
Co-operative Scholarship Programs
Disbursement of Co-op Grants & Assistance schemes
Co-operative Education
Marketing & Publicity
Affiliate Capability Development
Affiliate Value-added Services

SNCF offers a variety of programs and services to connect you to other Co-operatives; affording you many opportunities to develop partnerships that help attract and maintain your membership while growing your business.

For any enquiries, contact us at [email protected].

Mission of SNCF

To promote and develop co-operatives as sustainable enterprises that address social and economic needs through the principle of self and mutual help so as to foster a more resilient society.

Brand Identity

Launched in 2011, SNCF’s new visual identity uses a bold and strong typeface to present strength and solidarity in the Co-operative Movement. The ‘C’ encapsulates the word ‘Co-operative’ as a visual symbol of the principles of self-help and mutual help to serve society. The design of the ‘=’ symbol as part of the ‘F’ seeks to depict equality among all co-operative members.

The blue symbolises resilience and steadfastness, while the secondary colours of fresh green, warm orange and vibrant pink represent youth, senior and community sectors.

Milestones

Before 1950s

1924	Straits Settlements Co-operative Societies Ordinance was passed.
7 October 1925	The first Thrift & Loan Society was formed (Singapore Government Servants’ Co-operative Thrift & Loan Society Ltd).
16 November 1933	Singapore Urban Co-operative Ltd was formed. It served as a coordinating body for a number of primary co-operatives and was later renamed Singapore Co-operative Union Ltd.
1942	The war forced all co-operatives to cease operations.
23 August 1946	The Singapore Co-operative Stores Society Ltd was registered to help ease initial post-war food shortage and escalating prices.
December 1947	Co-operatives in Singapore were informed that they were granted exemption from taxation (Income Tax was introduced in Singapore w.e.f. 1 January 1948).

1960s & 1970s

16 September 1963	Singapore achieved independence as part of new state of Malaysia.
9 August 1965	Singapore became a fully independent sovereign nation.
April 1968	Registry of Co-operative Societies became a unit under the then Ministry of Social Affairs, now known as the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports.
November 1969	NTUC (National Trades Union Congress) seminar on “The Modernisation of the Labour Movement” made recommendations that NTUC should embark upon co-operative business ventures.
20 May 1972	Singapore Co-operative Union Ltd changed its name to Singapore National Co-operative Union Ltd.
1979	The Co-operative Societies Act 1979 replaced the Co-operative Societies Ordinance of 1953, taking into consideration the social and economic changes that took place over the five decades. The Central Co-operative Fund (CCF) was established as Trust Fund under the provisions of the Co-operative Societies Act 1979.

1980s

18 September 1980	The Singapore National Co-operative Federation Ltd (SNCF) was established as the apex organisation for the local Movement.
26 May 1982	Singapore National Co-operative Union assumed its new role as a secondary co-operative, Singapore Amalgamated Services Co-operative Organisation Ltd (SASCO Ltd).
June 1982	SNCF and the Afro-Asian Institute jointly organised its first Co-operative Management Seminar.
1984	SNCF, ASEAN Co-operative Alliance and FES jointly organised a Seminar on “Co-operative Law in ASEAN in Singapore”. SNCF and International Labour Organization (ILO) jointly organised the “National Workshop on Co-operative Training policy and Standards” in Singapore.
1985	SNCF was accepted as a member in the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA). The book on “Co-operative Societies in Singapore 1925 – 1985" was first suggested by Mr Chua Sian Chin, Chairman of SNCF Board of Trustees and Minister for Home Affairs in 1985 at the 4th Anniversary of the SNCF.
1988	ICA Regional Council Meeting was held in Singapore ACO-SNCF ASEAN Women Co-operative Conference on “Partners in Progress”.
11 March 1989	ILO-SNCF National Forum on Co-operative Development held.

1990s

1993	The Co-operative Strategic Review was initiated.
August 1993	A one-and-a-half day international symposium was held to discuss “The Challenges of Co-operatives in the Next Decade”.
1994	SNCF held its 1st Co-operative Leaders’ Conference to revamp the movement based on findings from the Co-operative Strategic Review.
September 1995	SNCF organised the 1st National Campus Co-operative Seminar.
October 1997	SNCF formed its Women’s Committee.
November 1997	SNCF founded its Community Services Committee.
4 July 1998	SNCF Community Project was officially launched by Dr Lee Boon Yang, the then Minister for Manpower.
July 1999	The ICA Regional Consultation was held at the Grand Plaza ParkRoyal. The Guest-of-Honour was Mr Lim Boon Heng, then NTUC Secretary-General.
10 July 1999	The International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) Business Office was officially opened by Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, the then Minister for Community Development in the presence of Mr Roberto Rodrigues, the then President of ICA.

New Millennium

June 2000	The 1st ICA Asia Pacific Co-operative Forum was graced by the then President of Indonesia, HE Megawati Soekarnoputri. The then Minister for Community Development & Sports, Mr Abdullah Tarmugi inaugurated the Forum and Mr Lim Boon Heng, then NTUC Secretary-General delivered the thematic address.
18 February 2001	The Skills Redevelopment Programme was launched by Mr Heng Chee How, the then Deputy Secretary-General of NTUC to equip co-operative employees with better skills and knowledge to meet the standards at their workplace.
2002	SNCF reviewed its strategic direction. One of the key areas was to promote and enhance Co-operative Governance among co-operatives.
16 August 2003	SNCF held its 1st Road Show to promote awareness of co-operatives to the public. The campus sector also held a bazaar with 9 campus co-operatives operating 11 stalls.
12 May 2004	SNCF held a Charity Golf Tournament as part of fund raising efforts for its adopted charity, Children-At-Risk Empowerment ssociation (CARE). More than S$100,000 was raised through this tournament.
2005	The Singapore Co-operative Movement raised over S$1,000,000 in cash and kind for victims of the 26 December 2004 Tsunami Disaster. SNCF won the bid for Singapore to be the host for the ICA General Assembly 2007. SNCF Chairman Seah Kian Peng became the first Singaporean to sit in ICA Board.
1 July 2005	SNCF formed a Youth Committee.
11 November 2006	SNCF launched Code of Governance for Co-operatives at the Annual Co-operative Leaders’ Conference.
14-19 October 2007	SNCF hosted ICA General Assembly in Singapore.
January 2008	SNCF launched its inaugural Co-operative Scholarship.
16 September 2008	The Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act 2008 was passed in Parliament on 16 September and came into operation on 20 October 2008.
October 2008	Mr. Chan Tee Seng succeeded Mr. Seah Kian Peng as the first elected Chairman of SNCF’s Executive Council.
December 2008	Mr. Chan Tee Seng, Chairman, SNCF, was elected as one of eleven Board Members at the ICA-AP Regional Assembly held in Hanoi, Vietnam.
23 November 2009	Mr Seah Kian Peng was re-elected to the Global Board of the ICA.
1 October 2009	Ms Dolly Goh takes over from Mr Zulkifli Mohammed as SNCF Chief Executive Officer
23 October 2009	SNCF organised its very first ICA-SNCF Business Seminar which brought together leaders from over eight countries.
1 January 2010	SNCF is the first national-level organisation from Southeast Asia to become a direct member of the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU).
2012	International Year of Co-operatives
1 March – 30 April 2012	SNCF organized its inaugural co-operative photography competition – Co-op Hot Shots. The competition drew over a thousand submissions in both the print and online categories that captured the spirit of co-operative values.
3 October 2012	SNCF hosted International Year of Co-operatives Regional Conference.
November 2012	Mr. Chan Tee Seng, Chairman, SNCF, was re-elected as a Board Member at the ICA-AP Regional Assembly held in Kobe, Japan.
19 January 2013	SNCF Honour Awards recognized over 30 co-operators for their meritorious contributions to Singapore’s co-operative movement.
1 October 2013 – 3 January 2014	SNCF organized its inaugural Coopow! Comic Competition.
9 October 2014	SNCF received an Honourable Mention in the Mobilisation and Involvement category in the TOP.COOP Contest held in conjunction with the Quebec International Summit of Co-operatives.
6 – 9 October 2014	Ms. Dolly Goh, CEO, SNCF, was invited as a panelist at the Quebec International Summit of Co-operatives. Mr. Tan Suee Chieh, CEO, NTUC Enterprise Group, was also invited as a Summit speaker.
26 September 2015	SNCF organized fun and action in the Scoop Trail 2015
26 September 2015	SNCF 35th Anniversary Celebration!
10 - 13 November 2015	ICA Global Conference & General Assembly in Antalya, Turkey
13 December 2015	15th Annual Inter-Co-operative Bowling Tournament
1 September 2015 - 8 January 2016	SNCF organized its inaugural Coopow! Comics and Manga Design competition for the third year
28 January 2016	SNCF New Year Reception 2016

Who We Are

Mission of SNCF

Brand Identity

Milestones

Before 1950s

Before 1950s

1960s & 1970s

1960s & 1970s

1980s

1980s

1990s

1990s

New Millennium

New Millennium

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