Singapore’s youth scene is getting a significant boost with the official formation of the Somerset Belt Youth CoLab — a team of seven dynamic young leaders empowered to shape the programmes and spaces at *SCAPE and the surrounding Somerset Belt precinct.
First announced at the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth’s (MCCY) Committee of Supply 2026, the CoLab held its very first meeting on 23 April 2026, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Singapore’s most iconic youth space along Orchard Road.
What Is the Somerset Belt Youth CoLab?
The Somerset Belt Youth CoLab is a first-of-its-kind initiative pioneered by *SCAPE, giving young people genuine ownership and responsibility over how public spaces are used and activated. Rather than being passive participants, these seven youth leaders will actively co-create programmes, activate shared spaces, and lead initiatives across *SCAPE and the wider Somerset Belt area.
The team will focus on five key domains that matter most to Singapore’s youth:
- Urban Sports
- Entrepreneurship & Careers
- Wellness & Sustainability
- Media & Entertainment
- Creative Arts
The CoLab is backed by a $300,000 annual fund and will be guided by *SCAPE and supported by its Board of Directors. Members will receive structured onboarding, capability-building workshops, and access to resources and spaces to execute their programmes. Their immediate priorities: develop a detailed workplan and launch a pilot initiative by July 2026.
This is part of a broader effort to transform the Somerset Belt into a vibrant youth precinct. Physical redevelopment of the area is set to begin in the first half of 2026, with completion expected by the end of 2027. For a taste of what’s already on in the precinct and beyond, check out our round-up of Things to Do in Singapore This May 2026.
Meet the Seven Youth Leaders
The CoLab brings together an impressive mix of creatives, community builders, and emerging leaders from across Singapore:
Clare Chong, 30 — Singaporean filmmaker, video artist, and Creative Director of PLAY!, with extensive experience in community arts programming, projection mapping, and large-scale installations.
Nusha Dakshyni, 26 — Freelance artist, author, and illustrator who runs Nush Nook, a budding publishing house. A sociology graduate passionate about social justice, she has previously served as a Street Art Residency artist at *SCAPE.
Isaac Goh (Goh Gwan Gei), 28 — Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Ninja Lab, who champions youth growth through movement, play, and mentorship. He contributes to *SCAPE’s Somerset Reset and Re:Create Festival.
Roshan Ganesh, 24 — Co-founder of Pathfinders, an organisation supporting disadvantaged youths, with hands-on experience from a 2025 internship with *SCAPE’s Engagement team.
Moira Loh, 32 — Award-nominated creative producer and filmmaker with 18 years in Singapore’s arts scene, spanning opera, music, theatre, and large-scale productions. She was nominated for the SYFF Open Youth Best Short Film in 2024.
Matthew Yeo, 25 — A community volunteer involved with Metropolitan YMCA Singapore, Youth Corps Singapore, South East Community Development Council, and the Chinese Development Assistance Council.
Nathaniel Chan, 15 — The youngest member and Financial Director of The Resonance Project, a youth-led group focused on storytelling and community voices through creative platforms.
A Space Truly Led by Youth
A core focus of the Somerset Belt Youth CoLab is placemaking — with members taking charge of activating and managing dedicated youth spaces such as the Outdoor Plaza and selected areas within *SCAPE. By testing new programme formats and creative uses of space, they aim to create more vibrant, youth-friendly environments that genuinely reflect the aspirations of young Singaporeans today.
It’s a refreshing departure from the typical top-down approach to public space management. Think of it as Singapore’s answer to youth-owned creative hubs — not too different from the spirit behind the recently opened IMBA Theatre at Gardens by the Bay, which is also shaking up the city’s arts and culture scene.
What the Leaders Are Saying
“We are at an exciting crossroad for youth development in Singapore,” said Ethen Ong, Acting Executive Director of *SCAPE. “The formation of Somerset Belt Youth CoLab is a testament to *SCAPE’s commitment to empowering youths with real responsibility to foster stronger ownership of public spaces. By entrusting youths to lead and co-create programmes and spaces, they will be able to contribute to shaping an environment that inspires youths to be the best version of themselves.”
CoLab member Nusha Dakshyni shared: “Through this platform, we are given the opportunity to collaborate across communities, introduce new ideas, and build meaningful experiences for other youths at the Somerset Belt. By anchoring our work across creative expression, wellbeing, career exploration, media, and urban culture — topics which youths care about — we hope to bring in youths as co-creators to shape Singapore’s youth precinct.”
What’s Next for Somerset Belt
The Somerset Belt Youth CoLab has only just kicked off, but there’s already a lot to look forward to. Through the year, the team will collaborate with *SCAPE and various partners to co-design and lead youth-driven programmes, activating shared spaces across *SCAPE and Somerset Belt. If Singapore’s 2026 wellness and lifestyle trends are anything to go by, there’s no shortage of ideas these young leaders could bring to life.
More details on upcoming youth-led initiatives and participation opportunities will be shared via *SCAPE’s official channels and Somerset Belt’s website.
Source: Media release from Muse & Motif Pte Ltd on behalf of *SCAPE, 24 April 2026.
