VPC, Temasek Foundation, and Tote Board Unveil ‘BAGUS Together’ Initiative Empowering Singapore’s Groundup Movement

National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), Temasek Foundation, and Tote Board have jointly launched the “BAGUS (Building All Groundups for Success) Together” initiative. This multi-sectoral partnership, graced by Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Second Minister for Law, introduces a first-stop resource platform and key programs to empower and encourage resident participation in nation-building.

Groundup Initiative Study (GUIS) 2023 Unveiled

Accompanying the BAGUS Together launch is the unveiling of key findings from the first-ever national-level study on the groundup landscape, the Groundup Initiative Study (GUIS) 2023. This study, conducted by NVPC in collaboration with Tote Board, brings to light valuable insights into the dynamic and diverse groundup landscape in Singapore. The GUIS 2023, based on extensive research and engagement with over 1,800 individuals from the groundup space and the public, provides a comprehensive understanding of groundup characteristics and impact.

Key Findings:

Increased Groundup Activity During COVID-19: The pandemic witnessed a surge in groundup activities, with 109 groundups formed in 2020, nearly three times more than the 28 formed in 2019.

Strong Community Focus: Groundups prioritize community building, with 73% identifying it as their mission. Services like befriending and social time (50%), providing necessities (29%), and mental health support (26%) are prevalent.

Majority are Youth-Led: Groundup founders are diverse, with 56% aged 18-34, and 35% aged 40 and over.

Identified Gaps: Groundup leaders identified key areas for improvement, including increasing publicity, planning long-term trajectory, recruiting leadership, recruiting members, and raising awareness of cause areas.

BAGUS Together Approach

Building upon insights from GUIS 2023, the BAGUS Together initiative represents a tripartite collaboration across the 3Ps (People, Public, and Private) sectors. It aims to rally stakeholders, including groundups themselves, to collaboratively support and empower Singaporeans in starting, sustaining, and scaling their groundups. NVPC’s Groundup Central, launched in 2018, will lead the initiative, offering a platform for the ecosystem to work together.

Temasek Foundation and Tote Board are co-funders, committing S$5 million over five years to build the capability of the groundup movement, fostering a civic culture of compassion and care.

“Leading from the Ground Up” Handbook

Complementing BAGUS Together is the “Leading from the ground up” digital handbook. Developed from GUIS 2023 insights, this practical guide empowers aspiring changemakers, guiding them through the stages of the groundup journey. It aggregates resources available in the ecosystem, providing practical guidance across all stages of development.

Together, the BAGUS Together initiative and the “Leading from the ground up” handbook mark a significant stride in empowering Singapore’s groundup ecosystem. As groundups flourish with support from one another, partners, and the larger community, Singapore moves closer to fostering an active citizenry dedicated to building a shared future.