PA Unveils New Sparks Community Innovation Initiative At Geylang West Community Club

People’s Association Unveils New Sparks Community Innovation Initiative At Geylang West Community Club

Community Hackathon registration opens, to bring community stakeholders and tech experts to co-create innovative solutions for community challenges

            The People’s Association (PA) will launch the “Sparks” initiative that intends to build a stronger sense of community participation by fostering collaboration and empowering diverse stakeholders to actively shape their neighbourhoods.  Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law and Deputy Chairman of PA, together with Minister Josephine Teo, Grassroots Adviser to Jalan Besar GRC, will unveil the first PA Community Innovation Space - Sparks @ Geylang West on Saturday, 22 March 2025 at Geylang West CC.

2             "Sparks" initiative is a community innovation movement - by the community, for the community.  It brings together diverse community stakeholders including residents, partners and volunteers to identify local challenges, transforming community aspirations into tangible solutions that meet local needs.  Following Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s vision at the PA Community Club Management Committee (CCMC) 60^th Anniversary last year, this initiative reimagines CCs as catalyst spaces for community-led innovation and collaboration, uniting the community and fostering greater ownership of ground-up initiatives.

3             To drive this vision forward and as part of the broader “Sparks” initiative, ten CCs have been selected to pilot “Sparks” at CC (refer to Annex A).  Each CC will set up a Community Innovation Space (CIS), creating a dedicated collaborative space where residents, volunteers, and partners can come together, share ideas, and curate meaningful initiatives that resonate with their community's unique needs and aspiration.  These spaces will be the heart of innovation, fostering partnerships and empowering stakeholders to drive positive change. 

4          As PA’s first pilot site for Sparks at CC, Geylang West CC has embarked on their community innovation journey since last October.  While serving a significant senior population, the recent new Build-To-Order (BTO) developments have inspired Geylang West to engage PMETs and young families in designing and participating in environmental sustainability programmes that allows them to contribute to the community’s unique needs, fostering a spirit of community care.  Through two engaging ideation sessions, they brought in like-minded partners like Micron Semiconductor Asia Operations Pte Ltd, Commenhers, Corridor Farmers, and LED Signs Pte Ltd.  Together with residents and volunteers, several eco-friendly initiatives have taken root, including a Wheelchair Repair initiative which is particularly impactful in a senior-centric community where many seniors require mobility assistance.

5          To drive activities at the CIS, Community Innovation Taskforces (CITs) have been established under the respective CCMCs.  These taskforces will provide localised insights into community needs.  They will facilitate brainstorming sessions at the CIS, supporting and guiding community stakeholders in transforming their ideas into tangible solutions that will benefit the community.  To empower these ground-up efforts, the PA will provide funding of up to $20,000 for each initiative, supporting up to 50 initiatives over the next three years.

6          To catalyse its community innovation efforts, PA and Open Government Products (OGP) will co-organise a Sparks x BFG Community Hackathon.  The event is one of the key platforms under the “Sparks” initiative, alongside Community Innovation Spaces and Community Innovation Taskforces, working together to foster a new era of community-driven solutions.  Interested participants are invited to register for the Community Hackathon at go.gov.sg/pa-ch2025 where they can contribute their unique perspectives and diverse skills to develop tech-driven solutions for the community.  Registration commences on 22 March 2025 and will close on 6 April 2025.  Please see Annex A for more details on the “Sparks” initiative and Community Hackathon.

7          The Sparks @ Geylang West will be officially opened on 22 March 2025, marking an important milestone of PA in the community innovation journey.  An Eco Day will be organised in conjunction with the opening, featuring engagement booths from community and corporate partners, each designed to educate and inspire residents about environmentally friendly practices.