Hey there! Ever wondered about the folks who built Singapore from the ground up? Project Citizens is a heartfelt initiative by the Founders’ Memorial to celebrate and capture the incredible stories of Singapore’s first citizens, those who were here right after independence and played a part in shaping our nation. It is all about getting involved and celebrating Singapore’s journey together!
Remembering the First Million
Did you know that close to one million people became Singapore’s first citizens right after independence? The Founders’ Memorial is launching an exciting initiative called Project Citizens The First Million to capture and share their incredible stories. It is a fantastic way to honour the founding generation and learn about the values that shaped our multicultural nation. These stories will inspire us and future generations to think about our own role in building Singapore.
Project Citizens is made up of three cool initiatives you can get involved in:
First up is the Senior Engagement Programme, kicking off in April 2025. They are looking for stories from our seniors about their contributions, hopes, and dreams from the nation-building years. Volunteers will help facilitate these conversations. If you are a senior or know one who would like to share their story, you can register your interest here: www.go.gov.sg/sep-register. Community partners who want to run a session can also reach out to Founders_Memorial@nhb.gov.sg!
Next, keep an eye out for the Project Citizens Pop ups! These will be appearing at over 20 locations, including community hubs and libraries. The pop ups will explore the founding generation’s journey to citizenship and encourage visitors to reflect on what being Singaporean means to them. Stay updated on locations by following the Founders’ Memorial on Facebook @FoundersMemorialSingapore and Instagram @foundersmemorialsg. You might even win some merchandise if you share a note!
Pop-up schedule and locations:
| Dates | Location |
| 14 Apr – 13 May 2025 | Tampines Regional LibraryMap to location |
| 14 Apr – 4 Jul 2025 | Clementi Public Library Map to location |
| 14 May – 1 Jul 2025 | Bedok Public Library Map to location |
| 2 Jun – 5 Aug 2025 | Woodlands Regional Library Map to location |
| 19 Jun – 20 Jul 2025 | Our Tampines Hub Map to location |
| 7 Jul – 6 Aug 2025 | Library @ HarbourfrontMap to location |
| 20 Jul – 5 Aug 2025 | Gardens by the Bay Map to location |
| 11 Aug – 6 Sep 2025 | Heartbeat @ Bedok Map to location |
| 11 Aug – 11 Nov 2025 | Wisma Geylang Serai Map to location |
| 7 Sep – 30 Nov 2025 | One PunggolMap to location |
| 12 Aug – 30 Sep 2025 | Queenstown Public LibraryMap to location |
| 2 Dec – 30 Dec 2025 | Punggol Regional Library Map to location |
| 31 Dec 2025 – 27 Feb 2026 | Toa Payoh Public Library Map to location |
| 1 Oct – 28 Nov 2025 | Bishan Public Library Map to location |
| 29 Nov 2025 – 26 Jan 2026 | Jurong Regional Library Map to location |
| 2 Jan – 31 Mar 2026 | Geylang East Public Library Map to location |
Finally, mark your calendars for October 2025 for the opening of Not Mere Spectators: The Makings of Multicultural Singapore at National Gallery Singapore. This experience will delve into the history and importance of multiculturalism in Singapore and will feature a media wall showcasing stories from Project Citizens.
You can also volunteer with the Founders’ Memorial for various roles, like facilitating the senior engagement programme, being a gallery host, or helping at the pop ups. Join their volunteer mailing list to be the first to know about opportunities: www.go.gov.sg/fmvolunteer. They will be sharing more ways to get involved throughout 2025, so keep checking their page and social media!
Find out more about how you can play your part!
Wrapping it Up
Project Citizens The First Million is a wonderful way for us all to connect with Singapore’s past and contribute to its future. By collecting and sharing the stories of our founding generation, the Founders’ Memorial is ensuring their legacy lives on and inspires us all. These initiatives provide various avenues for participation, whether it is by sharing your own story, visiting a pop up, experiencing the exhibition, or volunteering your time.
Building Singapore together sounds like a great project!
Dates and Links:
Senior Engagement Programme starts: April 2025
Not Mere Spectators exhibition opens: October 2025
Website: https://www.sg60.gov.sg/project-citizens/
Senior Engagement Programme Registration: https://www.go.gov.sg/sep-registerinterest
Founders’ Memorial Email: Founders_Memorial@nhb.gov.sg
Founders’ Memorial Facebook: @FoundersMemorialSingapore
Founders’ Memorial Instagram: @foundersmemorialsg
Volunteer Mailing List: www.go.gov.sg/fmvolunteer
Play Your Part link: https://www.sg60.gov.sg/play-your-part