Small Talks, Big Shifts: Reviving the Kampung Spirit with Friendzone SG at Youth For Change 2026

In today's fast paced, digital world, genuine connection can often feel like a lost art. However, there are small businesses and organizations that aims to bring that lost piece of art back into today's communities. In the second run of our Youth For Change Workshop 2026 that happened on 19th March, we had the privilege of hearing from the co-founder of Friendzone SG, Mr Tham Jun Han, who shared his journey of transforming neighborhood interactions into meaningful community connections. Friendzone SG is a social enterprise founded in Singapore, and is on a mission of change by rebuilding the 'Kampung Spirit' —the traditional sense of community and neighborliness in modern neighborhoods.

From Student Leadership to Community Building 🌟 Deeply involved in student leadership and campus life at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Tham and his co-founder, Grace realized that they have been in a profound sense of community and friendship that shaped their worldview, and it had been a vital part of their personal growth journey. After graduating, they realized that the sudden transition from being in a close-knit university environment to the 'real world' felt like 100 to 0 in terms of social connection. It was like a "community reset". Despite being surrounded by people who live around in the same residential blocks, most young adults only knew the older "aunties and uncles" in their neighborhoods, and rarely their peers. Recreating the "Kampung Spirit" : From "Them" to "Us" 🏘️

After a while in. the public service sector, Tham took a bold leap of faith in 2020 to commit to Friendzone full time — driven by the belief that everyone deserves to feel connected to those living right next door. Friendzone began hosting neighbourhood gatherings under HDB pavilions, using simple comforts like carpets, and snacks such as nuggets and Milo, to bring people together. What started in Marine Parade has since expanded to over 500 events across Singapore, reaching diverse groups from tech professionals to young parents, with the support by grants from the National Youth Council (NYC).

The Reality of Modern Loneliness 👤 Tham shared powerful statistics from the National Youth Council that prompted deep reflection among youths who came to our workshop that day:

• The Loneliness Trend: As of 2022, 8% of young Singaporeans reported having zero close friends, a number projected to rise to 10% by 2025.

• The "One or None" Reality: Nearly 1 in 5 young people have one or fewer close friends to turn to during struggles.

Beyond just the number of friends, the diversity within friendships is also declining. Fewer people have close friends from different races, religions, nationalities, or educational backgrounds, which can lead to social divides. Tham encouraged everyone to think about how we can build a resilient society if we only talk to those who are exactly like ourselves.

The Grit of Social Entrepreneurship and Expanding the Mission

Today, Friendzone has evolved into a thriving social enterprise with a team of seven full-time staffs and numerous interns who are keen in making a difference. They have hosted events, ranging from neighborhood gatherings to specialized workshops like the "School of Yapping" under their Friendship School umbrella. During his sharing session, Tham shared the realities of self-leadership and the resilience required to sustain a social initiative. From navigating the financial hurdles of grants to the difficulty of making 'friendship' a sustainable business model, he learned to steer his own ship with purpose. Starting a social initiative in Singapore is no small feat, it requires a balance of passion, financial, sustainability, and community support. Tham reminded us that starting a social movement isn't just about a good idea, it's about the commitment and determination to keep going even when the path to financial sustainability is difficult. Whether through government grants, business models, or grassroots volunteerism, the goal remains the same — to ensure that no one feels alone in their own neighbourhood.

As Friendzone continues to grow, they invite everyone to consider the importance of friendship — not just as a personal comfort, but as the very fabric that holds our society together. To close this insightful session, Tham gave our youths a very powerful reminder : in a world that is increasingly digital and divided, the most effective tool we possess is the willingness to reach out. By choosing to consciously practice friendship and community building, we can turn a block of flats into a true home.

We would like to extend our deepest thanks to Mr Tham Jun Han, and the Friendzone team for their time and providing our participants with a guiding light on how to make a difference, one conversation at a time! 🌟💪