Who are we

The Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF) is the apex body of Singapore’s Co-operative Movement, and secretariat of the Central Co-operative Fund (CCF). Formed in 1980 with the aim of championing Singapore’s Co-operative Movement, the apex body represents majority of co-operative members in Singapore through its affiliated co-operatives. Today, the Movement boasts a base of 890,000 members. SNCF is a member of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) and the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU). It enjoys co-operative relationship with the United Nations, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and other international and regional bodies.

What we do

Our comprehensive programmes help Co-operatives strengthen their enterprises so they can better serve their members, the broader community and transform the national economy.

These include:

National & Sector-wide Representation
Co-operative Formation
Co-operative Talent Development Programmes
Disbursement of Co-op Grants & Assistance schemes
Co-operative Education
Marketing & Publicity
Affiliate Capability Development
Affiliate Value-added Services

SNCF offers a variety of programmes and services to connect you to other Co-operatives; affording you many opportunities to develop partnerships that help attract and maintain your membership while growing your business.

For any enquiries, contact us at contactus@sncf.org.sg.

Mission of SNCF

To promote and develop co-operatives as sustainable enterprises that address social and economic needs through the principle of self and mutual help so as to foster a more resilient society.

We have adopted the Tripartite Standards

We are committed to building a fair and inclusive workplace and environment for our staff, and therefore have adopted a set of good employment practices that meet the requirements of the Tripartite Standards.

Currently, we have adopted:

  • Tripartite Standard on Recruitment Practices (RP)
  • Tripartite Standard on Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA)
  • Tripartite Standard on Work-Life Harmony (WLH)
  • Tripartite Standard on the Employment of Term Contract Employees (TCE)
  • Tripartite Standard on Unpaid Leave for Unexpected Care Needs (UCL)
  • Tripartite Standard on Age-Friendly Workplace Practices (AWP)
  • Tripartite Standard on Contracting with Self-Employed Persons (SEP) 

Milestones

In 2002, SNCF reviewed its strategic direction with an emphasis placed on the enhancement of Co-operative Governance among co-operatives. Across the years, the federation ran numerous public campaigns to raise awareness on the Singapore Co-operative Movement as well as charity shows to benefit communities locally and abroad.

In 2007, SNCF hosted the ICA General Assembly in Singapore. Three years later, the federation became the first national-level organisation from Southeast Asia to become a direct member of World Council of Credit Union (WOCCU).

To commemorate SNCF’s 35th anniversary and 90 years of co-operative history in Singapore, SNCF commissioned The Singapore Co-operative Story (1925 - 2014), a book chronicling the Co-operative Movement and the trailblazing works of co-operative pioneers, in 2015.

In conjunction with Singapore’s Bicentennial celebrations in 2019, SNCF organised a year-long campaign of art-themed pop-up events – “Coming Together As One Through Art”, to raise awareness about the Co-operative Movement and co-operatives’ contributions to Singapore’s nation-building efforts. The federation published a book Singapore Co-operatives, Singapore Stories to commemorate Singapore’s Bicentennial as well.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, SNCF helped co-operatives pivot effectively by offering new grants, and institutional and other digital support. The latter include basic designing workshops for co-operative members to adapt to the digital playground. In 2021, following a one-year hiatus, SNCF organised the Annual Co-operative Leaders’ Conference (ACLC), a phygital event that saw guests attending physically and online.
1993
The Co-operative Strategic Review was initiated.
August 1993
A one-and-a-half day international symposium was held to discuss “The Challenges of Co-operatives in the Next Decade”.
1994
SNCF held its 1st Co-operative Leaders’ Conference to revamp the movement based on findings from the Co-operative Strategic Review.
September 1995 
SNCF organised the 1st National Campus Co-operative Seminar.
October 1997 
SNCF formed its Women’s Committee.
November 1997 
SNCF founded its Community Services Committee.
4 July 1998  
SNCF Community Project was officially launched by Dr Lee Boon Yang, the then Minister for Manpower.
July 1999
The ICA Regional Consultation was held at the Grand Plaza ParkRoyal. The Guest-of-Honour was Mr Lim Boon Heng, then NTUC Secretary-General.
10 July 1999 
The International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) Business Office was officially opened by Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, the then Minister for Community Development in the presence of Mr Roberto Rodrigues, the then President of ICA.
18 September 1980
The Singapore National Co-operative Federation Ltd (SNCF) was established as the apex organisation for the local Movement..
26 May 1982
Singapore National Co-operative Union assumed its new role as a secondary co-operative, Singapore Amalgamated Services Co-operative Organisation Ltd (SASCO Ltd).
June 1982
SNCF and the Afro-Asian Institute jointly organised its first Co-operative Management Seminar.
1984
SNCF, ASEAN Co-operative Alliance and FES jointly organised a Seminar on “Co-operative Law in ASEAN in Singapore”.

SNCF and International Labour Organization (ILO) jointly organised the “National Workshop on Co-operative Training policy and Standards” in Singapore.

SNCF was accepted as a member in the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA).
1985
The book on “Co-operative Societies in Singapore 1925 – 1985" was first suggested by Mr Chua Sian Chin, Chairman of SNCF Board of Trustees and Minister for Home Affairs in 1985 at the 4th Anniversary of the SNCF.
1988
ICA Regional Council Meeting was held in Singapore.

ACO-SNCF ASEAN Women Co-operative Conference on “Partners in Progress”.

11 March 1989
ILO-SNCF National Forum on Co-operative Development held.
16 September 1963
Singapore achieved independence as part of new state of Malaysia.
9 August 1965
Singapore became a fully independent sovereign nation.
April 1968
Registry of Co-operative Societies became a unit under the then Ministry of Social Affairs, now known as the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports.
November 1969
NTUC (National Trades Union Congress) seminar on “The Modernisation of the Labour Movement” made recommendations that NTUC should embark upon co-operative business ventures.
20 May 1972
Singapore Co-operative Union Ltd changed its name to Singapore National Co-operative Union Ltds.
1979
The Co-operative Societies Act 1979 replaced the Co-operative Societies Ordinance of 1953, taking into consideration the social and economic changes that took place over the five decades. The Central Co-operative Fund (CCF) was established as Trust Fund under the provisions of the Co-operative Societies Act 1979.
The co-operative concept was first introduced in 1924, when the Straits Settlements Co-operative Societies Ordinance was passed. A year later, the first Thrift & Loan Society (now known as “Singapore Government Staff Credit Co-Operative Society Ltd”) was formed. 

ABOUT GLOBAL CO-OPERATIVE BODIES

In the same vein of promoting Co-operation amongst Co-operatives, there are key champion-bodies that represent the collective voices of the Co-operative Movement world-wide.

THE INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATIVE ALLIANCE (ICA)

The International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) is a non-profit international association established in 1895 to advance the co-operative model.  ICA is the apex organisation for co-operatives worldwide, representing 313 co-operative federations and organisations across 109 countries (figures as of May 2018). The members of the Alliance are national level co-operative federations, individual co-operative organisations and government offices concerned with co-operatives. SNCF has been a member of ICA since 1985.

WORLD COUNCIL OF CREDIT UNIONS (WOCCU)

World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organisations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance and programmes introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach. WOCCU has implemented over 300 technical assistance programmes in 89 countries. Worldwide, 68,882 credit unions in 109 countries serve 235 million people. SNCF has been a member of WOCCU since 2010.

ASSOCIATION FOR ASIA CONFEDERATION CREDIT UNION (ACCU)

The Association of Asian Confederation of Credit Unions (ACCU) operates as a regional representative organisation of credit unions and similar co-operative financial institutions in the region of Asia. ACCU represents 40.2 million individual members from more than 45,000 credit unions in 22 countries in Asia. ACCU is owned by its member organisations. SNCF has been a member of ACCU since 2009.

Who we are

SNCF is the apex body of Singapore’s Co-operative Movement, and secretariat of the Central Co-operative Fund (CCF). Formed in 1980 with the aim of championing Singapore’s Co-operative Movement, the apex body represents majority of co-operative members in Singapore through its affiliated co-operatives.