A day for anyone curious about the Singapore around them – and the people, spaces and communities shaping it.
Connecting Narratives for Change Festival 2026 is a one-day public event on 17 Oct 2026 at Common Ground Civic Centre, exploring the question: What do we need third spaces for?
Conversations, workshops and shared experiences — led by organisations and practitioners working across different social concerns in Singapore.
Come for a session, or stay for the whole day. Either way, there's something here for you!
What happens at CNFC Festival?
Pick a topic that interests you or a community that you're curious about.
Drop into a conversation. See where it takes you.
CNFC Festival brings together a diverse range of sessions led by our programme partners — socially-oriented organisations and practitioners working on social concerns across Singapore — each responding in their own way to the question: What do we need third spaces for?
The sessions span a wide range of topics and formats. What they share is a low bar to participate and a room full of people who are genuinely curious about the same things you are.
Choose to come for one session, or stay for the whole day.
Learn: Expand your understanding of the social concerns that matter to you.
Connect: Meet people who share your concerns — from different parts of the community.
Reflect: Share experiences and leave with something to take forward.
Who is the Festival for?
CNFC Festival is for anyone. You don't need to work in the social sector, have a cause you're championing, or know what a third space is before you arrive.
If you're curious about Singapore and the people shaping it – that's more than enough!
PROGRAMME OVERVIEWWhat will we be exploring?
The Festival is built around two parallel tracks, each with four to five sessions to choose from. Some cluster around shared themes, others stand alone. What they all have in common is a response, in their own way, to the question: what do we need third spaces for?
Pick what calls to you. Stay for one session or move between them. If you're joining us for the whole day, we open and close together – bookending whatever you choose to explore in between.
CONNECTING NARRATIVES FOR CHANGE FESTIVAL 2026
17 OCT 2026, SAT @ COMMON GROUND CIVIC CENTRE, 21 BEDOK NORTH STREET 1 SINGAPORE 469659
Ticketing Information
We've kept the Festival as accessible as we can because we think these conversations should be open to as many people as possible.
And if even the lowest price is a stretch, write to us at civiccentre@ourcommonground.com.sg to explore other options. We don’t want price to be the reason that you aren’t able to join us.
TICKETING OPTIONSJust want to attend one session?
Single Session Pass: $35 (incl. GST)
Keen for the whole day?
All-day Pass: $60 / $70 / $80 (incl. GST) — on a sliding scale
A sliding scale means you decide what to contribute based on what you're able to. The lowest tier covers our base costs; anything above that goes directly toward the practitioners, partners, and everything it takes to make the day happen. If the higher tiers feel right for you, we'd genuinely appreciate it. Either way, every tier is equally welcome.
Our partners and collaborators
Our programme partners for CNFC Festival bring their own communities, perspectives and expertise to the festival — spanning sustainability, advocacy, special needs, data storytelling, and more. Each responds to the shared prompt in their own way, making CNFC Festival something shaped by many different hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
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CNFC Festival will be held at Common Ground Civic Centre, 21 Bedok North Street 1 Singapore 469659).
The full day runs from 9am–6pm on 17 Oct 2026 (Sat). If you're joining us for a single session, check the programme for individual session times.
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Absolutely! CNFC Festival is designed to be welcoming to everyone, regardless of background or experience.
Sessions range from awareness-building and skills-building to more collaborative formats, so you can ease in at whatever level feels comfortable.
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You're welcome to come for just one session — that's what the Single Session Pass is for.
If you'd like to stay for the whole day, the All-day Pass gives you access to one session from each Parallel Breakout track, plus the Festival Opening and Closing.
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Yes, each session has a limited capacity, so we'd encourage you to register early to secure your spot. Registration closes on 14 Oct or when a session fills up, whichever comes first.
You’ll be able to choose the sessions you’d like to attend upon checkout.
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The Single Session Pass gives you access to one Parallel Breakout session of your choice.
The All-day Pass gives you full access to both tracks across the whole day, including the Festival Opening and Closing.
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All three tiers — $60, $70, and $80 — give you exactly the same access.
A sliding scale means you decide what to contribute based on what you're able to, not what you're expected to.
The lowest tier covers our base costs; anything above that goes directly toward the practitioners, partners, and everything it takes to make the day happen.
If the higher tiers feel right for you, we'd genuinely appreciate it. Either way, every tier is equally welcome.
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We're unable to offer refunds, but you're welcome to transfer your ticket to someone else if your plans change.
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Yes, there is lift access and accessible toilets on site. If you have specific needs or a special request, feel free to reach out to us at civiccentre@ourcommonground.com.sg and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
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Light refreshments will be provided throughout the day. But please note that lunch is not included.
With that said, we have lots of food options in the Bedok Central area catering to a range of dietary needs.
We also have a pantry with separate halal and non-halal fridges if you'd like to bring your own food.
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CNFC Festival is a one-day public event open to everyone. CNFC Circles is a series of smaller, practitioner-focused peer-exchange sessions running Aug–Dec 2026.
Both are part of Connecting Narratives for Change — Common Ground's annual programme for anyone who wants to explore how things can be different in Singapore. Not just community builders or changemakers, but anyone who cares and wants to do something about it.
This year's question: what do we need third spaces for?
What do we need third spaces for?
Come explore it with us at Common Ground Civic Centre.