The Central Co-operative Fund (CCF) is a fund set up under the Co-operative Societies Act (Act). It is administered as a trust fund under the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth.

The Minister for Culture, Community and Youth appoints the CCF Committee for the purpose of overseeing the CCF. The current Committee is serving a three-year term effective from 1 March 2021 and comprises the following individuals:

Mr Tan Kian Chew (Chairman)
Chairman, Centre for Seniors

Mr Desmond Chin (Member)
Executive Director, Registry of Co-operative Societies

Mr Tng Ah Yiam (Member)
Chairman, Singapore National Co-operative Federation Limited

Mr Yoong Ee Chuan (Member)
Treasurer, Ngee Ann Polytechnic Consumer Co-operative Society Limited

Mr Yeo Chun Fing (Member)
Chairman, AUPE Credit Co-operative Limited

The Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF), the co-operative industry body, is the appointed Secretariat to the CCF Committee.

It is established under the Act for co-operatives to make the following contributions:

*Co-operatives opting to contribute to SLF have to inform the Registrar in writing. The letter has to be signed off by the co-operative’s Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer.

Co-operative contributions to the CCF for the financial year ended 31 March 2021 was $2.9 million and co-operative contributions to the SLF for the financial year ended 31 December 2020 was $61.5 million.

The following graphs illustrate the breakdown of the CCF Contributions and its expenditure for the financial year ended 31 March 2021 (FY2020) and its 3-year trend.

Breakdown for FY2020

Contributions: $2.9 million; Expenditure: $3.0 million 

3-Year Trend - FY2018 to FY2020

The CCF aims to further the education, training, research, audit and the general development of the co-operatives in Singapore through the following grants:

1. New Co-op Grant

• Available to newly-registered co-operatives.
• Helps defray initial set-up costs and operating expenses.

2. Capacity Development Grant

• Available to existing co-operatives.
• Enhance facilities and for the acquisition of information and communication technology.

3. CCF Development Grant

• Available to existing co-operatives.
• Helps defray certain expenses so as to enhance the co-operatives’ capabilities, governance and operational efficiency.
  
  a) Education and Training
  b) Manpower (Accountant)
  c) Consultancy Services
  d) Bookkeeping Services
  e) Statutory Audit Fee
  f) Marketing and Digital Expenses
  g) Internal Audit Fee (only for credit co-operatives)
  h) Minimum Competency Training (only for credit co-operatives)
  i) Legal Services

For more information on the individual grants under the CCF Grant Framework, please click here.

Support for co-ops during COVID-19 period

To support co-ops during the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth approved a support package for co-ops in 2020 as follows:

1. Waiver of first-tier CCF contribution of 5% (for any financial year ended between 31 December 2019 and 30 September 2020); and
2. $2,000 grant (one-off) for each co-op

While the situation has improved in 2021, businesses have not resumed to normal and co-ops still face challenges amidst the uncertainties. Another waiver for the first tier CCF contribution of 5% is provided in 2021 (for any financial year ending between 31 December 2020 and 30 September 2021).

Who can apply?

Co-operatives registered with the Registry of Co-operative Societies can apply for the CCF grants.

How to apply?

Click here to apply.

All applications for the CCF grants should be submitted to the CCF Secretariat. Approval of applications is subject to applicants meeting the requisite conditions and its submission of required documents.

Who to contact?

To find out more about the CCF grants, please contact the CCF Secretariat at:

Email: contactus@sncf.org.sg

Tel: 9820 5730

Address:
CCF Secretariat
Singapore National Co-operative Federation
510 Thomson Road
#12-02 SLF Building
Singapore 298135

In addition to the CCF grants which are available to all co-operatives, the CCF is also used to provide bursaries and scholarships, implement outreach programs and strengthen the industry capability and standards. Some of these programmes run by Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF) include:

• Awareness building
  To raise public awareness of the co-operative movement and values in Singapore, SNCF organises roadshows and activities like the “Co-op Hotshot” (a regional photography competition).  

• Campus & youth
  SNCF has been actively reaching out to schools to raise awareness of the co-operative movement amongst the youth. SNCF regularly organises scholarship fairs, guest lectures, learning journeys and camps for schools and youth groups. SNCF also works with schools to form Co-op Clubs to train students to operate social enterprises based on co-operative values.

• Customised training courses 
  SNCF regularly organises customised training courses so that co-operative officers can perform their roles better. The courses include: (i) Induction Programme; (ii) Co-operative Legislation and Code of Governance; and (iii) Governance Guides on Internal Controls, Loan Management and Investment Management (for credit co-ops).