Social Innovation Park launches book; reveals plans for a lifestyle area

Social Innovation Park launches their book, Top 50 Social Innovations Changing Our World, edited by former MP Penny Low and (left) Dr Victor Tong of A*STAR Institute. ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG

SINGAPORE - Social Innovation Park (SIP), a non-profit organisation that aims to nurture social entrepreneurs, is planning to open a farm called "Social Enterprise and Eco Development" (Seed), which people can soon visit for tea while enjoying the scenery.

People will also be able to rent out plots of land to grow their own produce, and potentially start small businesses selling it in the future.

Ms Penny Low, former Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC MP and founder of Social Innovation Park, said that SIP also intends to have container-style food and beverage stalls , with one or two out of the six reserved for professional social enterprises.

This was revealed at the launch of SIP's book on Thursday afternoon (April 21): Top 50 Social Innovations Changing Our World. Twenty of those featured are uniquely Singaporean.

A social innovation, according to SIP, is a game-changing process, idea or approach that creates a positive impact for society.

Some examples include void decks, the Community Involvement Programme (CIP) and the Yellow Ribbon Project.

Said Ms Low: "Every time we talk about innovation, we think economic innovation. But some of the biggest changes around the world are social in nature.

"In wanting to solve a problem, a new technology is created."

A total of 5,000 copies of the book have been printed, supported by the SG50 celebration fund. They will be available for browsing through at all PA-related organisations, libraries, schools and selected F&B outlets by June. Anybody who wants a free copy can collect one at the main SIP site at 50, Punggol East.

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