Government initiatives can be complemented by a vibrant, citizen-led ecosystem. Providing funding, training and recognition for grassroots projects – while avoiding heavy-handed oversight – enables sustainable, community-driven solutions.
Government efforts such as the SG Eco Fund, a S$50 million grant for ground-up initiatives to promote sustainability, and the Singapore Government Partnerships Office, launched in 2024 for people to find volunteer opportunities and share proposals, help citizens turn ideas into action. Complementing these, BAGUS Together, a 3P (people-private-public) partnership platform, provides resources for budding changemakers.
However, citizens must actively embrace opportunities to be contributors and changemakers to make full use of these efforts.
SHARED ASPIRATIONS
These priorities are critical because Singaporeans increasingly seek not just to be consulted, but to be part of the decisions that shape their lives. The May incident in Tiong Bahru, where residents raised concerns over plans to repaint 14 HDB blocks purple, was turned into a moment of citizen participation.
MP Foo Cexiang’s decision to initiate townhalls and a community vote turned discontent into dialogue. This affirms that legitimacy today can be enhanced through active listening, deliberation, and shared decision-making.
This incident is more than a local-level issue. It reflects a maturing democracy, where decisions made with citizens are stronger than those made for them.
This ethos of citizen participation transcends party lines. During the General Election, opposition candidates also championed townhalls and deliberative platforms. Though formats vary, the consensus is clear: Deliberation grounded in citizens’ lived reality strengthens policy legitimacy and signals a shared political aspiration.
