15 May 2026, Singapore – The Sustainability Youth Festival (TSYF) 2026 held at the National Library Building brought together over 900 participants from across the local community, mobilising a strong youth-led response to Singapore’s intensifying climate risks.

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Held as part of the annual Go Green SG national sustainability movement and in support of Singapore’s Year of Climate Adaptation, the festival comes as rising heat, more severe weather and accelerating sea level rise place growing pressure on daily life and national resilience. TSYF 2026 responds to this urgency by putting climate adaptation front and centre.

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As a platform for education and action, the festival equips participants with practical knowledge while showcasing how collective efforts can drive real impact. TSYF 2026 brought to life two enduring commitments: making sustainability education and green career pathways accessible to every young person regardless of background, and demonstrating how ground-up action across communities, schools, and organisations collectively advances Singapore’s climate resilience. 

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Participants explored interactive booths and activities such as eco-escape rooms, urban community clean-ups, and sustainability-themed games led by partner organisations and community groups. Each of them showcased real-world responses to challenges including heat stress, resource use, biodiversity and urban living.

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TSYF 2026 is the first year that OCBC has come on board as the naming partner for the TSYF Challenge since the partnership started 4 years ago. This underscores the Bank’s belief that it can bring impact and meaningfully contribute towards the sustainable development, wellbeing and flourishing of the community, including youths. It also reflects OCBC’s continued aim to champion sustainability-related initiatives in Singapore, while inspiring the young changemakers to mould a more resilient and sustainable future. 

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At the NLB Outdoor Plaza, primary school finalists of the OCBC TSYF Challenge were given a platform to showcase their own sustainability ideas and school projects through student-led booths. Their presence underscored the importance of nurturing climate awareness from a young age and empowering students early to turn ideas into action.

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An initiative by EB Impact, a Singapore-registered charity, the festival was supported by the SG Eco Fund and strengthened through the support of Strategic Partner OCBC, which took on first-time naming rights for the pair of TSYF Challenges, as well as Partner Singapore Pools. The festival was graced by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment Goh Hanyan as Guest of Honour.

“TSYF 2026 showed what young people can achieve with the right platform and support. Their creativity, passion and commitment produced ideas that could truly shape a sustainable future. At EB Impact we provide the space for students and youth to test ideas, learn from real-world feedback given, and turn concepts into action. I’m genuinely thrilled by the practical climate adaptation solutions we’re seeing, and we’ll keep partnering with schools, industry and community groups to educate and champion the next generation of sustainability leaders.” said Gerald Wong, Executive Director of EB Impact.

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Spotlighting Youth Action: The OCBC TSYF Changemaker and Creator Challenges

Building on its long-standing partnership with TSYF, OCBC has taken on naming rights of the OCBC TSYF Changemaker Challenge and the OCBC TSYF Creator Challenge, providing a platform for students and youth to translate sustainability gaps into original, impact-driven solutions, and raise environmental awareness.

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Central to the festival was the OCBC TSYF Changemaker Challenge, a nationwide sustainability competition for youths under the age of 35 to identify sustainability gaps in their communities, develop original solutions, and pitch impact-driven ideas that drive awareness and adoption of sustainable practices. Finalist teams pitched their climate adaptation solutions live on stage to a panel of industry judges and a public audience, competing for a prize pool of up to S$50,000.

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With close to 70 submissions from across Singapore, the Challenge reflected the breadth and depth of youth-led thinking on climate resilience, from flood adaptation and heat mitigation to circular resource systems and sustainable community infrastructure.

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Senior Division (JC, Polytechnic, ITE, University students and youths under 35)

• Champion: Team Green Frequency, ITE College East – S$10,000 funding
• First Runner-Up: Team Cylindrical Solar Concentrators, Ngee Ann Polytechnic– S$7,000 funding
• Second Runner-Up: ByeO Barelands –S$4,000 funding

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Junior Division (Secondary school students)

• Champion: Sprout Squad, Outram Secondary School – S$8,000 funding
• First Runner-Up: Fluttering Haven, Yuhua Secondary School – S$5,000 funding
• Second Runner-Up: Loopwear, Crest Secondary School – S$3,000 funding

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OCBC TSYF Creator Challenge

A platform for primary school students to showcase sustainability ideas through interactive, student-designed booth experiences that communicate environmental awareness in engaging ways.

Top 5 Finalists

• Green Guardians, Si Ling Primary School – S$500
• Watt a team!, Jing Shan Primary School– S$250
• Woodgrove Sustainable Towels, Woodgrove Primary School – S$250
• Woodgrove Microplastics, Woodgrove Primary School – S$250
• YTPS ENVIRONMENT CLUB, Yew Tee Primary School – S$250

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“We are pleased to deepen our partnership with TSYF as the naming partner to the Changemaker and Creator Challenges. Over the years, we have been encouraged by the fresh perspectives that students and youth bring to sustainability challenges. Our involvement as a Strategic Partner, supporting both challenges, reflects our belief in nurturing the next generation to think critically, take initiative, and contribute meaningfully to a more sustainable society.” said Ms Ng Lay San, Managing Director, Group Sustainability, OCBC.

Opening Pathways into the Green Economy

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The festival concluded with the Sustainability StarterKit: Build Your Path, Sharpen Your Profile, an evening networking and career exploration session with over 150 registered participants consisting of  youths and professionals. The programme brought together future employers, sustainability practitioners and career explorers, creating structured opportunities for meaningful exchange on green careers.

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Participants were assigned colour-coded wristbands based on their roles and interests, enabling targeted interactions and dynamic group discussions throughout the session.

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A key highlight was the Green Jobs Talk Show, an interactive segment featuring sustainability professionals and youth speakers, which was graced by Dr. Charlene Chen, Adviser to Tampines GRC Grassroots Organisations. Through open conversations, CV reviews, mock interviews and career games, participants gained practical insights into pathways, skills and real-world experiences in the sustainability sector.

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TSYF will continue to serve as a platform for youth-led sustainability action in Singapore. EB Impact and its partners look forward to deepening the festival’s impact and adapting it in the years ahead, ensuring that more young changemakers have the knowledge, networks, and opportunity to contribute to a resilient and sustainable Singapore.

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The evening ended off with short, interactive spotlight presentations by student groups, showcasing creative takes on environmental issues, and a vibrant networking session.

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For more information, please visit https://tsyf.sg  or follow us on Instagram (@eb.impact).

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About EB Impact

EB Impact is a Singapore-registered charity that educates and bridges communities for sustainability. Guided by our vision of empowering individuals to create a positive impact for the planet and people, our mission is to make sustainability accessible and relatable by translating complex ideas into practical, daily actions; equipping people with the knowledge and skills to drive real-world action and catalyse change at scale.

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Our work supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), including ensuring that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills to promote sustainable development (SDG 4.7), raising awareness for sustainable lifestyles in harmony with nature (SDG 12.8), and building knowledge and capacity to address climate change through education and awareness (SDG 13.3). Through education, community engagement, and partnerships, we aim to build a more compassionate, connected, and sustainable society in Singapore.

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About OCBC

OCBC is the longest established Singapore bank, formed in 1932 from the merger of three local banks, the oldest of which was founded in 1912. It is one of the world’s most highly-rated banks, with Aa1 by Moody’s and AA- by both Fitch and S&P. Recognised for its financial strength and stability, OCBC is consistently ranked among the World’s Top 50 Safest Banks by Global Finance and has been named Best Managed Bank in Singapore by The Asian Banker. 

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OCBC is the second largest financial services group in Southeast Asia by assets. The Group offers a broad array of commercial banking, specialist financial and wealth management services, ranging from consumer, corporate, investment, private and transaction banking to treasury, insurance, asset management and stockbroking services.  

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OCBC’s private banking services are provided by its wholly-owned subsidiary Bank of Singapore, which operates on a unique open-architecture product platform to source for the best-in-class products to meet its clients’ goals. Its insurance subsidiary, Great Eastern Holdings, is the oldest and most established life insurance group in Singapore and Malaysia. Its asset management subsidiary, Lion Global Investors, is one of the leading asset management companies in Southeast Asia. Its brokerage subsidiary, OCBC Securities, is one of the leading securities firms in Singapore. 

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The Group’s key markets are Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Greater China. It has close to 400 branches and representative offices in 19 countries and regions. 

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For more information, please visit www.ocbc.com.

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About Singapore Pools

Singapore Pools was set up in 1968 to counter illegal gambling and provide a legal, safe and trusted avenue for people to place bets. Over the years, we have evolved to keep our games relevant while creating a secure and responsible gaming environment for all.

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We are a fully-owned subsidiary of Tote Board, which reports to the Ministry of Finance. Gambling will always exist, and Singapore Pools exists to serve the public good by diverting demand away from illegal gambling operators and channelling funds towards causes that uplift the lives of Singaporeans.

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About City Developments Limited

City Developments Limited (CDL), headquartered in Singapore, is a leading global real estate company with a network spanning 167 locations across 28 countries and regions. CDL’s aim is to be recognised by customers, employees, and peers as an innovative creator of quality and sustainable spaces. CDL values innovation, collaboration, and integrity.

About Eco-Business 

Established in 2009, Eco-Business is Asia Pacific’s leading media and business intelligence platform for sustainable development. It delivers trusted journalism, research, and strategic insights that drive informed dialogue and measurable impact on sustainable development and responsible business.

Headquartered in Singapore, Eco-Business operates across the region with a presence in Beijing, Hong Kong, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Jakarta, alongside a network of partners in major Asia Pacific cities.

Learn more at www.eco-business.com.

About SG Eco Fund

The SG Eco Fund was launched in November 2020 by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment to support ground-up projects that involve the community and advance environmental sustainability in Singapore. A new $5 million Climate Adaptation Package under the SG Eco Fund was announced this year to further support projects that promote awareness and drive community action on strengthening heat resilience, protecting against floods, conserving water, and supporting local produce. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply for the SG Eco Fund and can learn more about the application process at http://www.mse.gov.sg/sgecofund.

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Media Contact

Diana

Manager, (Partnerships and Communications) EB Impact

Email: diana.ratih@ebimpact.org | Tel: +65 8768 4187

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