Govt to launch S$500 'Curiosity Credits' for underprivileged youths, free community spaces for youths to hang out & make friends

The government will expand opportunities for young people in Singapore to meet, connect, and build friendships through new community spaces under the SG Youth Plan.

These will be physical places dedicated to youths, where they can hang out, pursue hobbies and interests, or study and play sports together.

Apart from the spaces, the government will also provide support to youths who wish to pursue hobbies and interests, including under a new S$500 "Curiosity Credits" scheme.

The Youth Plan, a five-year roadmap that aims to help youths navigate an increasingly uncertain world, was launched on Jul. 25 by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo.

It involves a slew of over 20 initiatives, which will be rolled out over the next five years.

12 new community spaces by end-2026

Engagements conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and the National Youth Council (NYC) found that Singaporean youths reported shrinking social circles.

8 per cent said they had no close friends.

At the same time, about three in five youths surveyed said dedicated youth spaces would encourage them to meet people from different backgrounds.

To meet this demand, MCCY and NYC will work with community partners to establish 12 new "third spaces" across Singapore by the end of 2026.

These community spaces will be venues where youths can socialise, study, pursue hobbies, or take part in various activities such as sports.

The 12 spaces are:

• The Bida Community @ Bidadari Vista Oasis Smart RN
• The Chop Community @ Chong Pang Zone 7 Smart RN
• The Collective @ Woodlands
• etc. by Growthbeans @ Dakota Breeze Smart RN
• Circle @ Nee Soon Central CC
• [x] by Kita @ Stamford Arts Centre
• TOUCHpoint @ Marine Parade
• Hub with a Heart (HWAH) @ Serangoon
• VOX @ Children’s Society
• River Valley Irregulars @ River Valley
• MEMBINA Community @ Kampong Gelam
• *SCAPE

Access to the spaces is free, and youths will also be able to organise their own programmes and activities there.

Revamped Somerset Belt youth precinct by 2028

The government also plans to transform Somerset Belt into a dedicated youth precinct by 2028.

The project follows the 2025 Somerset Reset engagement exercise, during which youths said they wanted a vibrant precinct designed by and for young people.

Spanning more than 8,700 sq m across Somerset Road, Exeter Road and Devonshire Road, the redevelopment will cover the stretch between Youth Park and Somerset Skate Park, including *SCAPE, the graffiti wall, an elevated stage for performances at Youth Park, and the area between Somerset Skate Park and 111 Somerset.

The precinct will host programmes and activities catering to a range of youth interests.

Opportunities for hobbies and interests

According to the National Youth Survey 2025, pursuing a hobby ranks as the third most common aspiration among young people.

However, the National Council of Social Service's Quality of Life Survey 2025 found that only 42 per cent of youths were satisfied with the opportunities available to do so.

To that end, the government plans to roll out about 20,000 social, hobby and interest-based opportunities for youths each year by 2030.

Working with partners, the government will curate activities across areas such as arts, sports, wellness and culture.

These opportunities will be progressively rolled out across the island, allowing youths to join communities based on their interests.

Youths can sign up for the opportunities via the Discover platform.

"Curiosity Credits" for youths in Self-Help Groups

Youths aged 13 to 17 in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) will receive S$500 in "Curiosity Credits" to learn skills in areas that interest them.

These include the arts, sports, technology, culinary arts, and sustainability.

The programme aims to encourage young people to explore interests beyond academics, discover new hobbies, as well as build friendships outside school.

It also hopes to allow youths to broader their interests, build confidence and better understand their strengths and preferences.

The four SHGs in Singapore are Mendaki, Sinda, Eurasian Association, Chinese Development Assistance Council, and cater to underprivileged members of the various ethnic communities.

More details will be shared when ready.

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