SG Eco Fund Reviews Grant Call Cycles to Encourage More Applications

SG ECO FUND REVIEWS GRANT CALL CYCLES TO ENCOURAGE MORE APPLICATIONS

Review follows feedback from applicants of the first two grant calls

1. 27 APRIL 2022 – The SG Eco Fund will be introducing two key changes to the annual grant cycles, starting from 1 May 2022. This was announced by Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, at the launch of City Sprouts Sustainability Centre earlier today. City Sprouts was a recipient of the SG Eco Fund under the first grant call.

2. Starting this year, the Main category of the SG Eco Fund will have a fixed application window from 1 May to 31 August. This will give applicants greater clarity and certainty for project planning.

3. The second change is that the Sprout category of the SG Eco Fund will be open for applications throughout the year. Previously, the application window for the Sprout category was aligned to the Main category. With the revision, SG Eco Fund hopes to support more community projects, including programmes and outreach workshops.

4. The Sprout category was introduced in August 2021 to simplify the application process for projects seeking funding of up to S$10,000. Instead of a written proposal, shortlisted Sprout applicants only need to submit a pitch deck and present it to the evaluation committee. This would shorten the evaluation process, typically taking about two months from the close of the grant call to final decision.

5. The S$50 million SG Eco Fund was launched in November 2020 by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment. The Fund supports ground-up projects that involve the community and advance environmental sustainability in Singapore. Since its launch, 105 individuals and organisations have been awarded $6.6 million in funding. Some of the grantees were also present at the Sustainability Centre today to showcase their projects and interact with the community. More details of these grantees can be found in the Annex.

6. Following the first two grant calls in 2020 and 2021, the SG Eco Office sought feedback from past applicants on ways to improve the application process. The revisions to the SG Eco Fund grant cycle are based on the feedback received.

7. Interested applicants can apply for the SG Eco Fund at www.mse.gov.sg/sgecofund from 1 May 2022 onwards.

ANNEX

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON SG ECO FUND GRANTEES AT THE SUSTAINABILITY CENTRE LAUNCH

1. City Sprouts Pte Ltd City Sprouts is a social enterprise that aims to inspire and rejuvenate urban communities through sprouting green spaces and programs.City Sprouts' first redevelopment project transformed the former Henderson Secondary School into an urban farming concept. The Living Sprout (now referred to as the "Sustainability Centre") Build a living lab and living classroom with green features to engage citizens on sustainability.

2. Engineering Good Engineering Good is a non-profit organisation that empowers inclusivity for disadvantaged and vulnerable communities through sustainable engineering and technology solutions. ReMakeIT Conduct laptop repair and upcycling workshops, and redistribute refurbished laptops to Family Service Centres and MOE beneficiaries.

3. Farmily Farmily is a social enterprise that builds sustainable communities one garden at a time. Their vision is to build 100 community gardens in 2 years. F.Ar.M Convert an under-utilised space into a temporary community urban farm with tours, agritech workshops and community composting activities.

4. Keith Loo Keith Loo is the founder of Two Straw Hats, a technology testbed farm. He is also the deal flow manager of the Trendline Group. The group discovers, invests in, and incubates innovation-based medical and agricultural technologies. AI-enhanced precision growing system for Singapore's urban food security showcase Install an AI-enhanced precision growing showcase at a community farm to educate the public on new technologies.

5. Lyfestyle Group Pte Ltd Green Drumming by BEAT'ABOX (as part of Lyfestyle Group) is Singapore's first recycled percussion group that innovates to create a sustainable, vibrant and inclusive community by using music made out of recycled materials. Green Drumming, Collect and upcycle household waste to drums, which can be used for performances, to educate the community on upcycling.

6. Eddie Chen, Beatrice Tan, Wilson Law Eddie Chen, Wilson Law, and Beatrice Tan are three friends who share common interests in solving the problem of waste in Singapore. They have backgrounds in urban agriculture, accounting and finance, and education. Mykilio: Growing better materials for tomorrow Collect waste byproducts from businesses and the community and recycle the waste into mycelium-based materials for packaging and furniture.

7. Post Museum Post Museum is an independent cultural and social space in Singapore that serves as an open platform for examining contemporary life, promoting arts, and connecting people. Renew Earth Sweat Shop (3rd Edition) Partner schools and organisations to educate the public on reusing and repurposing textile waste.

8. SusGain SusGain is sustainability rewards app that makes sustainable lifestyle choices convenient, fun and rewarding. The social enterprise aims to close the intention-action gap in sustainability and empower consumers, businesses and the community to kickstart their sustainability journey. Driving Sustainable Behaviour Change Among 3 GenZ Communities in Singapore Run sustainability challenges in educational institutions using the SusGain application to encourage the adoption of sustainable practices.

9. Wong Jun Hao, Alexis Goh, Pang Tien Feng Jun Hao and his friends are five university undergraduates who come from different disciplinary backgrounds, but share a common goal of increasing environmental awareness and interest in local biodiversity. Bioevolution Game Produce a board game and conduct game sessions for schools and nature groups to educate the public on local biodiversity.