Strategic alliance between UN Global Compact Network Singapore (UNGCNS) and National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) creates unprecedented access to sustainability resources for small enterprises (SME) in Singapore.
SINGAPORE — The United Nations Global Compact Network Singapore announced two major initiatives on Tuesday (June 18, 2025) aimed at bringing sustainability resources to small and medium enterprises, as the organization marked its 20th anniversary with a strategic push to expand environmental accountability beyond large corporations.
At the SGX Auditorium, The United Nations Global Compact Network Singapore (UNGCNS) announced two pivotal initiatives during its SME Sustainability Day, marking not just an anniversary celebration but a strategic pivot toward democratizing sustainability for businesses previously locked out of the green transition.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
Signing a New Pact: UNGCNS and NVPC Forge Strategic Alliance
The memorandum of understanding between UNGCNS and the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) represents more than bureaucratic cooperation—it signals recognition that sustainability cannot remain the exclusive domain of large corporations with dedicated ESG departments.
Under this strategic alliance, up to 30 Company of Good SMEs will receive complimentary one-year UNGCNS membership, traditionally valued at hundreds of dollars. The partnership extends beyond mere access, offering three specialized workshops in 2025, including foundations of corporate sustainability and carbon accounting—technical knowledge previously requiring expensive consultancy services.
“Through this partnership, we aim to strengthen Singapore’s SME ecosystem by making sustainability knowledge, tools, and networks more accessible to those at the frontlines of business transformation,” said Dr. Bicky Bhangu, UNGCNS President.
The collaboration introduces cross-recognition between LowCarbonSG and the Company of Good Recognition System, creating pathways for SMEs to leverage sustainability achievements across multiple platforms—a practical solution to the recognition fragmentation that often hampers small business progress.
Through this partnership, we aim to strengthen Singapore’s SME ecosystem by making sustainability knowledge, tools, and networks more accessible to those at the frontlines of business transformation.
Twenty Companies, Twenty Years: Anniversary Campaign Targets Pioneer SMEs
Concurrent with the partnership announcement, UNGCNS launched its “Forward Faster: Empowering SMEs for the Future of Sustainability” campaign, offering 20 qualifying Singapore SMEs comprehensive membership packages for 2026.
The offer includes full membership benefits, waiver of 2025 half-year fees worth SGD $250, and complimentary tickets to the 2025 UNGCNS Summit—collectively representing access to resources typically beyond small business budgets.
“20 years of impact is only the beginning. This campaign is an invitation for 20 pioneering SMEs to lead the next chapter in sustainable business,” Dr. Bhangu explained.
Corporate Purpose Meets Market Reality
NVPC CEO Tony Soh framed the partnership within Singapore’s broader social compact, emphasizing purposeful business contribution to national cohesion.
“This partnership marks a significant step forward in building a business ecosystem where purposeful companies of all sizes meaningfully contribute to a more caring, inclusive, and compassionate Singapore,” Soh stated.
This partnership marks a significant step forward in building a business ecosystem where purposeful companies of all sizes meaningfully contribute to a more caring, inclusive, and compassionate Singapore. By equipping Companies of Good, especially SMEs, with the knowledge and tools to thrive sustainably and impactfully, we inspire more companies to embark on their Corporate Purpose journey, empowering them to do well by doing good.
The initiatives coincide with UN Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day and UNGCNS’s 20th anniversary, while celebrating 25 years of the global UN Global Compact initiative. This temporal convergence reinforces Singapore’s positioning as a regional sustainability hub while addressing domestic economic needs.
Enterprise Singapore Managing Director Cindy Khoo’s participation as keynote speaker signals government recognition of sustainability’s economic imperative for SMEs, moving beyond environmental rhetoric toward business development strategy.
The event’s panel discussions—”Sustainability Without the Stress: Small Steps, Big Wins” and “Will AI Bring More Challenges or Problems for Sustainability Reporting?”—address practical concerns facing SMEs: implementation complexity and technological disruption in environmental compliance.
The UN Global Compact Network’s global reach provides Singapore SMEs access to international best practices and peer networks, potentially accelerating sustainability adoption while reducing implementation costs through shared resources and collective learning.
Cross-recognition between sustainability programs eliminates duplicative certification processes, addressing a frequent SME complaint about administrative burden in environmental compliance programs.
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