To inject joy and vibrancy into Singapore’s public spaces and foster stronger bonds, the Lively Places Fund provides up to $20,000 in funding to support community-driven placemaking projects.

A joint initiative by the Housing Board (HDB) and Urban Redevelopment Authority, the fund aims to encourage residents, designers and artists to initiate projects that activate public spaces in HDB estates and across the country to bring people together and create friendly and lively neighbourhoods.

In a LinkedIn post on March 15, Minister of State for Trade and Industry and National Development, Alvin Tan, described the Lively Places Fund as “a great way for you to make your neighbourhood a better place”.

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Over the years, projects that have come to life through the fund include community gardens on rooftop decks, murals that help seniors with dementia find their way, and void decks turned into “community living rooms” for everyone to enjoy, he added.

Up to $5,000 is available for smaller, short-term action plans or activities to bond neighbours in HDB neighbourhoods. Examples include block parties, an anti-littering campaign, and a community recycling day.

For projects that will involve a physical transformation of existing public spaces and will take up to six months to implement, a building fund of up to $5,000 is available. These may include community arts projects and short-term pop-up installations.

The building fund goes up to $20,000 for projects with an implementation period of more than six months, such as converting void decks into community cafes.

“If you have a dream for your estate, don’t let it stay just an idea. Come and pitch it to us. The team is ready to guide you and provide the resources to turn your vision into reality,” Tan wrote.

He also shared photos from a workshop conducted at Temasek Shophouse he had attended as part of the HDB Lively Places Challenge 2026, alongside HDB staff and residents who are participating in the challenge. Registration has closed for the latest edition.

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This year, the Lively Places Challenge focuses on not-for-profit proposals that can enable seniors to age well, promote environmental sustainability through green initiatives, strengthen bonds between neighbours and foster a community spirit among residents, or promote positive social norms and community ownership.

All proposals are to be located within common spaces, such as void decks, precinct green and roof gardens, of HDB developments in towns and estates including Bidadari, Clementi, Pasir Ris, Tengah and Woodlands.

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