Community gardens, murals among ground-up projects to liven up HDB towns, public spaces via Lively Places Fund
To inject delight and vibrancy into Singapore’s public areas and promote stronger connections, the Lively Places Fund offers up to $20,000 in funding to sustain community-driven placemaking projects.
This year, the Lively Places Challenge focuses on not-for-profit plans that can enable senior citizens to age well, encourage environmental sustainability via environment-friendly initiatives, strengthen bonds in between neighbors and cultivate a community spirit amongst citizens, or advertise positive social norms and neighborhood ownership.
The structure fund goes up to $20,000 for projects with an application period of more than six months, like converting void decks into community cafes.
A shared campaign by the Housing Board (HDB) and Urban Redevelopment Authority, the fund intends to encourage citizens, designers and artists to launch projects that activate public areas in HDB estates and throughout the nation to bring people collectively and produce pleasant and lively communities.
For projects that will feature a physical improvement of existing public spaces and will occupy to six months to apply, a structure fund of approximately $5,000 is available. These may include area arts projects and short-term pop-up installations.
Approximately $5,000 is readily available for smaller sized, short-term movement strategies or activities to bond neighbors in HDB neighbourhoods. Instances include block parties, an anti-littering project, and a community recycling day.
“If you have a dream for your estate, don’t let it stay just an idea. Appear and pitch it to us. The team is prepared to assist you and offer the resources to transform your vision right into reality,” Tan wrote.
All proposals are to be situated within common areas, such as void decks, precinct environment-friendly and roofing yards, of HDB projects in towns and estates including Bidadari, Clementi, Pasir Ris, Tengah and Woodlands.
For many years, projects that have come to life through the budget include neighborhood gardens on rooftop veranda, murals that help seniors with mental deterioration find their way, and space decks developed into “community living rooms” for everyone to appreciate, he included.
He also shared photos from a workshop carried out at Temasek Shophouse he had attended as part of the HDB Lively Places Challenge 2026, together with HDB team and locals that are participating in the challenge. Enrollment has shut for the current edition.
In a LinkedIn article on March 15, Minister of State for Trade and Industry and National Development, Alvin Tan, described the Lively Places Fund as “a great method for you to make your community a much better place”.
