Quietly tucked away behind HomeTeamNS at Khatib, Ground-Up Initiative is a grassroots movement with a heartfelt mission – to connect people with nature, self and others. And its Kampung Kampus is a space where people can do that in a community that fosters connectedness, purpose and care.
Ground-Up Initiative
In highly urbanised Singapore, people can easily lose a sense of community. This can lead to apathy, not just toward each other, but also to the environment.
Ground-Up Initiative invites people to rediscover a fresh sense of community and connection by taking an active role in creating a sustainable lifestyle.
Previously located at Bottle Tree Park (or also known as ORTO), Ground-Up Initiative had to move out from Lorong Chencharu in February 2025 after its previous plot of land had to be returned to the government for development.
The new site was a 10-minute walk away. As a testament to the community spirit at Ground-Up Initiative, almost 400 volunteers came together on moving day to form a human chain and move items from the old site to the new site.
When Ground-Up Initiative took over the new site, it was nothing but a barren piece of ground – and they had to build it up from… errm… ground up. Nonetheless, that hasn’t stopped the non-profit organisation from rebuilding a new Kampung Kampus and pursuing its mission of effecting real change through connection.
Kampung Kampus: A Space for Community
When we visited the new Kampung Kampus in Yishun, things were still very much a work-in-progress.
However, the Kampung Kampus had moved beyond just an empty plot of soil. It is now made up of several buildings, located around a central pond and an outdoor amphitheatre.
One of the buildings serves as a hub for its programmes, such as when school groups visit to take part in sustainable practices learning journeys.
Another houses a woodworking space, where participants can get hands-on and creative.
Ground-Up Initiative’s Kampung Kampus will also be home to other like-minded organisations. For example, Mushroom Buddies is a mushroom farm that supports differently-abled youth.
Another tenant that families with young children may be familiar with is the Live Turtle Museum Singapore.
What’s Happening at Ground-Up Initiative Kampung Kampus
Walking around the Kampung Kampus, you can get a sense of what makes the organisation tick and its hands-on philosophy.
There are farming plots where the volunteers have been working the land, growing and harvesting vegetables and fruits.
We also saw staff and volunteers at work, turning over and moving about compost heaps.
The Kampung Kampus playground was in the midst of being built. A mound of earth propping up the children’s slide promises some rustic, outdoor fun.
Volunteering and Participating
Kampung Kampus is the result of the hard work of both its staff and volunteers from the community, and the spirit of volunteerism is very much a part of the journey towards sustainable living.
Volunteers do tasks as diverse as farm care, landscape maintenance and facilitating programmes. Their reward? The chance to be part of a community that cares and values environmental sustainability.
Ground-Up Initiative also offers learning journeys for schools. During these programmes, school children learn about sustainability through hands-on experiences such as compost making, glass upcycling and growing microgreens.
Corporates can also participate in programmes where they get to help out around the farm, help with projects and take part in other hands-on activities.
The public looking to be part of a movement that reimagines urban sustainability can also volunteer their time. Those who are interested to do should contact Ground-Up Initiative in advance to find out what opportunities are available.
The public can also support Ground-Up Initiative’s efforts to rebuild its new home by donating on Give.asia.
Ground-Up Initiative
Where: 11 Chencharu Close, Singapore 769287
Website: Ground-Up Initiative
