What does it mean to be a youth in today’s world? Being a youth is a rite of passage in the journey of life, and no matter what era we’re in, every generation of youth faces its unique set of challenges.
The well-trodden path of growing up is paved with good intentions – read: sage, but not always relevant, advice – from the generations before. But that’s where the SG Youth Plan breaks the mould: driven by the National Youth Council (NYC) and the Ministry for Culture, Community, and Youth (MCCY) in partnership with the whole of society, it’s a 5-year action plan shaped by youths, for youths. If you’re a youth, here’s how you can chart your future confidently.
In this fast-changing world where industries and jobs are constantly evolving, uncertainty about the future, job stability, career prospects and what life holds are all normal feelings to have.
The SG Youth Plan wants to make sure every young person has the chance to explore careers and workplaces, and that they have the support they need when facing big decisions on pathways or major life changes, so no one has to figure it out alone. There will be up to 30,000 job tasters and as many as 20,000 mentoring opportunities offered to all youths by 2030.
You can find these resources and opportunities on the newly launched Discover platform, to help you navigate through your journey. These include job tasters opportunities, where you can sign up to gain first-hand experience in various industries, as well as mentorship opportunities to help you figure out your education and career pathways.
This beats hearing about it from others, because you might not know how you enjoy the job until you’ve tried it – allowing you to make an informed decision, and maybe discover opportunities that you would have otherwise missed.
Image credit: *SCAPE
The third space has gained attention in recent years as the answer to loneliness in our digital world. It’s been argued that third spaces are the anchor of community life, offering – for youths – an alternative place than home, school, or work to relax with pals.
To that effect, the SG Youth Plan is introducing 12 dedicated third spaces in Singapore, creating more youth-centric zones for young people to gather, collaborate, and build communities. These will be in addition to a brand-new Somerset Belt that will be remade for youths by 2028.
Most of us would have made our best friends through school. While we might have heard of finding hobby or interest groups online, the barriers to entry might remain high. That’s where the SG Youth Plan comes in, with the aim of growing the number of hobby- and interest-based opportunities to 20,000 a year by 2030, which you’ll be able to find on the Discover platform as well.
Whether it’s for arts, sports, wellness, culture, technology, or helping a cause you’re passionate about, having a community of like-minded peers who love the same things that you do can help you support your mental well-being, open doors to skills and networks that can last a lifetime, or at the very least, make life a little less lonely. After all, as the world’s most adorable honey bear once said, “A day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey left inside.”
Image credit: National Youth Council
At the first Youth Action Marketplace, AKA Impact, IRL, taking place on 31st October 2026, you will get the chance to pitch your passion projects for the community to receive funding, and connect with like-minded peers and partners who can help make your idea a reality.
Over the next 5 years, a new microgrant and the Youth Action Marketplace will be able to support 3,000 youth-led projects thanks to a $20 million fund, which will make youth action even more accessible. No idea is too small – the new microgrant provides youths with up to $1,000 to take that first step of turning ideas into action. Applications are open year-round, so you can apply whenever you are ready.
If you’re ready to take your ideas to the next level, you could also grow your project into something real and lasting, and connect with mentors and partners through the Youth Action Grant – this provides funding of up to $70,000.
Besides funding, NYC will also hold capability-building workshops, learning journeys, mentorships and networking, providing year-round support for you to bring your passion projects to life.
Image credit: Youth Corps Singapore
We’ve all served our Community Involvement Programme (CIP) hours as part of school, but there are so many other avenues for volunteer work to be done. If you do want to give back, but don’t know where and how to volunteer on a personal basis, the SG Youth Plan has got you covered.
The number of volunteering opportunities will be increased to 16,000 annually by 2030 through NYC’s volunteering arm, Youth Corps Singapore. With Youth Corps, you have the freedom to pick a cause that’s meaningful to you, and that suits your lifestyle and scheduling needs. Through this, you might even meet like-minded people outside of your social circle and gain new perspectives!
Image credit: Youth Corps Singapore
The Youth Corps will also break new ground with an annual 2,000 leadership opportunities by the year 2030, tying in with one of the SG Youth Plan’s objectives of empowering youths to make a difference through action and leadership.
Take, for example, the Youth Corps Leaders Programme, a 9- to 12-month programme which you can customise according to your preferred social cause and project pathway. After being conferred as a Youth Corps Leader, you’ll continue to be supported with pathways and initiatives for you to take up leadership roles, and even mentor those who come after you.
Image credit: National Youth Council
Youths are the future of our nation, and it is more important than ever that young people have a say in shaping the country’s future. Over the series of engagements held by NYC in the past year, 8 in 10 respondents said that they want to be engaged in discussions about Singapore’s future.
The SG Youth Plan recognises this, and with the next run of Youth Panels and the new Singapore Youth Policy Network, will provide opportunities for you to contribute ideas, discuss national issues, and help to shape policies and plans that will affect you.
A second run of the Youth Panels will be convened in the second half of 2026, centred on the theme of building a youth-friendly city where every youth feels proud to belong. On the other hand, the Singapore Youth Policy Network sets out to be a network of youth civic groups that will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to contribute to policy discussions and study issues they care about.
Image credit: National Youth Council
The SG Youth Plan stands for Singapore’s commitment to support, empower and journey with youths to help them overcome the challenges of their time and achieve their aspirations. Last year, as a part of SG60, NYC ran a series of engagements where youths from all walks of life shared their views on topics ranging from careers and well-being, to relationships and civic action.
Through these conversations across schools, workplaces, community organisations and diverse youth groups, the message is clear: what the youth of Singapore want, and what means the most to them.
As we move into 2026 and beyond, those conversations have led to the launch of a roadmap for the next 5 years – created by youths, for youths. This plan has been designed to support the changing needs of the Singaporean youth, ensuring that every single generation will have the resources, platforms, and support that they need to build confidence, connect with others, and contribute to the country in ways that are meaningful to them.
It’s not about creating a single path for all youth; rather, the SG Youth Plan will empower each one to discover their own journeys forward, with a community of their choosing, make a difference, and grow into the best version of themselves. Most of all, it assures them that the rest of society has got their backs.
This post was brought to you by the National Youth Council (NYC).
Cover image adapted from: NYC, Youth Corps Singapore
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