CDCs to play active role in providing job support and promoting volunteerism in community

SINGAPORE – All five Community Development Councils (CDCs) will step up their efforts to support residents who are looking for jobs, as well as to encourage volunteerism in the community.

People’s Association (PA) deputy chairman Edwin Tong, who is also Law Minister and Second Minister for Home Affairs, announced at the PA Community Seminar on Oct 11 that the CDCs will step up to play bigger roles as aggregator and connector to build more inclusive and cohesive communities in these two areas.

The Jobs Nearby @ CDC programme, announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the National Day Rally in August, aims to bring job opportunities closer to residents’ homes while helping heartland enterprises address manpower challenges.

“South West CDC... launched the pilot scheme on Aug 31, 2025, and all five CDCs will deliver the enhanced job assistance programme by October 2025,” said PA in a statement on Oct 11.

Additionally, the CDCs will step up efforts to drive the promotion of volunteerism in their respective districts.

“By using their extensive ground networks, the CDCs will mobilise stakeholders in the respective districts to aggregate volunteer opportunities, encourage individuals and organisations within the districts to step forward and contribute their time and talents, and also support various organisations to build volunteer management capabilities,” PA added.

CDCs will also work with local grassroots organisations to encourage the development of micro-communities of help, where neighbours care for and help one another.

More details will be announced when ready, PA said.

CDC boundaries to be adjusted

PA also announced on Oct 11 that the geographical boundaries of the CDCs will be adjusted “to achieve a better balance in the population size of each CDC”.

The South East District is currently the smallest, with a population size of 474,359, while the North East District has a population size of 1,044,826.

With the adjustment, residents of Aljunied GRC and Hougang SMC will be served by South East CDC, instead of North East CDC.

Residents who are currently receiving support or on programmes from North East CDC will continue to be similarly supported under South East CDC, PA said.

The change will be gazetted on Oct 13.

South East District Mayor Dinesh Vasu Dash welcomed the residents of Aljunied GRC and Hougang SMC to the district.

“My team and I are committed to building on the good work done, and look forward to hearing your needs and aspirations for the district,” he said.

“We will continue to work with you and our network of partners to build and strengthen community initiatives that matter to each and every one of you.”

Meanwhile, North East District Mayor Baey Yam Keng said his district will “work hand in hand” with South East CDC to ensure a smooth transition for residents.

“North East CDC is committed to supporting the process so that residents continue to be cared for,” he added.