Last Saturday, raiSE had the privilege of co-organising "Purpose in Action: Changemakers for Social Good" with the National Youth Council as part of the SG Youth Plan. The event brought together over 100 passionate youth changemakers, all driven by a shared vision to translate their aspirations into tangible impact, regardless of their chosen pathway for doing good. 

Our enriching panel discussion on Make Change Make Sense featured a diverse group of incredible individuals who shared their journeys and insights: 

• Chong Ing Kai, Co-Founder of Stick ‘Em: A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree who is remarkably driving change even while serving his National Service. 
• Anders Tan, Co-Founder of Inclus and In-School: His dedication to disability inclusion takes him beyond Singapore's borders, as he travels and stays overseas to deeply learn from disability initiatives in other countries. 

• Siti Nuraisha, Youth Changemaker: Her journey began as a passionate school volunteer, and she now successfully leads various impactful volunteer initiatives. 
• Dr Erwin Chan, Lead, Startup Development, raiSE (Moderator): Our insightful moderator who guided the discussion. 

Lessons from the panel: What It Really Takes to Build Sustainable Social Impact 

1. Foster Partnerships That Amplify Impact
   Collaboration is key. Building win-win partnerships with others in the ecosystem allows you to co-create solutions, pool resources, and reach further together than alone. Impact is rarely achieved in isolation.
2. Clearly Define Your Users and Customers
   Know who you’re serving and who’s supporting your enterprise financially. For example, children or persons with disabilities might be the users of your product or service, but parents, families, or institutions could be the paying customers. This distinction is critical for developing sustainable business strategies that balance social good with financial viability.
3. Embrace the Realities of ‘Doing Good’
   Passion drives purpose, but building social impact demands resilience. Expect significant time investment, personal sacrifices, and sometimes challenging trade-offs — like balancing family time and financial stability. Preparing for this reality helps maintain your stamina and focus.
4. Stay Rooted in Your Mission and Values
   Your original purpose is your compass. Staying true to your mission keeps your work aligned, authentic, and meaningful — even when faced with setbacks or pivots. Clarity of purpose fuels perseverance.
5. Prioritise Practical Sustainability Beyond Passion
   Passion ignites action, but sustaining impact requires thoughtful planning: assembling a diverse team with complementary strengths, adapting to evolving challenges, and securing ongoing resources. Building longevity means combining heart with strategy and flexibility.
6. Build a Clear Plan Before You Leap.
   While passion fuels purpose, ensure that you have a clear, well-structured plan for your social initiative before taking the leap. Recognise how your existing foundations can provide the cstability and resources needed to build your impact sustainably, rather than jumping in prematurely. 

7. Cultivate Self-Care and Preserve Your Individuality
   Sustaining social impact isn’t just about external outcomes — it’s about caring for yourself too. Preserving your well-being and authenticity prevents burnout and keeps your work sustainable over the long term.

"Purpose in Action: Changemakers for Social Good" truly underscored that while passion is the spark for change, strategic planning, resilience, and collaborative partnerships are what build lasting social impact. The insights shared by our diverse panel and through the breakout sessions offered invaluable lessons, from understanding your users to prioritising self-care, all vital for navigating the realities of doing good.

The event also highlighted the strong commitment among youth to social good. They actively engaged, driven by a desire to contribute positively to their communities. At raiSE, we remain dedicated to nurturing this vibrant ecosystem of youth changemakers, providing the resources and guidance needed to help them transform their impactful aspirations into sustainable solutions for a better Singapore.

If you are ready to take the next step of your Social Impact journey, click here to join our ecosystem of changemakers and be a member of our Social Enterprise Community today!