Singapore Volunteer Management Conference 2025

Overview

The Singapore Volunteer Management Conference (SVMC) is a biennial event aimed at strengthening volunteerism through effective Volunteer Management (VM) and fostering a strong VM community. It brings together leaders from various sectors, including social service agencies (SSAs), non-profit organisations, public agencies, and corporates.

Themed ‘Taking Singapore Forward Through Volunteerism’, this conference aims to strengthen VM capabilities to catalyse sustained volunteerism in Singapore, and highlight the transformative impact that volunteering has on individuals and society.

Event highlights

Welcome address

Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), delivered an inspiring opening speech. He shared that "volunteerism brings a positive impact to both benefactors and beneficiaries," highlighting the NCSS 2024 Quality of Life Study, which found that those who volunteered at least once a month were 1.5 times more likely to report a good quality of life compared to non-volunteers.

He highlighted three points:

1. Building a more inclusive, caring, resilient and cohesive society remains a priority for the government as Singapore marks six decades of independence and is a key objective under our Forward Singapore agenda.

2. Achieving this vision requires the collective effort of an ecosystem, where enabling and sustaining greater volunteerism acts as a powerful driver of change.

3. SSAs must embrace transformation and collaboration, including with corporates, to better harness volunteerism to achieve greater impact for service users. 

DPM Heng also announced the launch of the next phase of Project V - a partnership between NCSS and NVPC over the next 3 years to support sustainable volunteering at scale among businesses, in partnership with community organisations.

Project V Appreciation Ceremony and V Pledge

26 pairs of Social Service Agencies (SSAs) and Corporates were recognised for their outstanding efforts in fostering regular, sustained volunteerism at the Project V Appreciation Ceremony.

Through the V Pledge, organisations and individuals pledged their commitment to elevate volunteerism to take Singapore forward.

Plenary 1: Catalysing Individual and Societal Transformation Through Volunteering

The panel explored how volunteering, when effectively managed, acted as a powerful force for societal change by fostering personal growth, enhancing individual well-being, and leading to more informed and effective community action.

View graphic recording: Plenary 1

Plenary 2: Maximising Volunteer Impact in an Evolving Landscape

The panel explored emerging trends shaping the volunteering landscape, including evolving social needs and the influence of ESG Framework's 'Social' component on corporate volunteerism.

View graphic recording: Plenary 2

Practice seminars

Attendees were engaged in three targeted practice seminars led by NCSS VM Champions, gaining best practices and strategies for building impactful volunteer partnerships and maximising community impact:

1. Forging Volunteer Partnerships for Stronger Service Delivery

   • View graphic recording: Practise seminar 1

2. Integrating Volunteers in Service Models to Achieve Greater Social Impact

   • View graphic recording: Practise seminar 2

3. Future Proofing Your Organisation with Strategic Volunteer Management

   • View graphic recording: Practise seminar 3

Panellists shared insights on building corporate volunteer partnerships for lasting impact.

Panellists examined how integrating volunteers can enhance service delivery models.

Panellists discussed how strategic volunteer management drives growth and long-term sustainability.

V Gallery

The V Gallery was a dynamic showcasing session where organisations came together to share impactful corporate volunteerism models, innovative technologies, and effective volunteer management resources. Attendees acquired knowledge and gained fresh perspectives as they experienced hands-on demonstrations, engaged with digital solutions, and learned how leadership drives sustainable volunteerism initiatives.

SP Group and Allkin Singapore presented their models of sustained volunteerism partnerships.

Volunteer managers shared their journey in building sustained volunteerism.

Singapore Red Cross volunteers demonstrated the use of AR goggles for volunteer training.

Samaritans of Singapore volunteer manager showcased their Empathy App for volunteer training.

SINDA and HCSA Community Services board leaders shared strategies to develop volunteer capabilities.

The conference has catalysed new partnerships and deepened commitments across Singapore's volunteering ecosystem. From thought-provoking dialogues to practice seminars and the launch of Project V, participants gained valuable insights and forged stronger collaborations. These collective efforts mark a significant step forward in building a more caring and cohesive society through the power of volunteerism.