What do we need third spaces for?
At Connecting Narratives for Change 2026, we want to explore what third spaces make possible – for citizens, for communities, and for the people who build them.
Join us at Common Ground Civic Centre from Aug–Dec 2026 to learn, connect, and reflect alongside people who are asking the same questions.
FIND OUT MOREABOUT CNFC26 | WHAT’S HAPPENING | GET TICKETS
Connecting Narratives for Change is Common Ground's annual community festival for anyone who wants to explore how things can be different in Singapore – not just community builders or change-makers – but anyone who cares and wants to do something about it.
Each year, we gather around a shared question.
We never have any answers for you. We just create the space to figure it out together.
In 2026, our question is: What do we need third spaces for?
Third spaces are the places that aren't home and aren't work – they are the community centres, the community gardens, the coffee shops, the book stores, and the impact hubs where people come together around something they share. In Singapore, that kind of physical space is rare and special. Land is scarce, and the places that exist purely to bring people together are easy to overlook and hard to sustain.
That's the conversation we want to have at CNFC26, and we have two ways for you to join in.
PROGRAMME OVERVIEWCNFC26 runs from August to December 2026 across two formats – a one-day public festival and a series of smaller sessions for impact practitioners. Both explore the same question, from different angles and at different points in the journey.
Here are two ways to participate:
CNFC Circles
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A series of four sessions for impact practitioners – funders, activists, social workers, founders, community builders, and others who have made it their work to make Singapore a little better.
These are smaller, more intimate sessions that go deeper into the inquiry. You don't have to work in a third space to be here – but the conversations will centre on what these spaces make possible, what makes them hard to sustain, and what it means when they have to end.
Each Circle brings together people from different parts of the ecosystem to exchange honestly, reflect on their practice, and build connections with others doing similar work.
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If you work in:
social impact,
social services,
community development,
philanthropy,
advocacy,
or anywhere in between
and you're curious about the role third spaces play in all of it – the Circles are for you!
CNFC Festival
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A one-day public festival for anyone who wants to explore what third spaces make possible – for citizens, for communities, and for the practitioners who build them.
The day is structured around learning, connection, and reflection. You'll hear from people doing interesting work, meet others who are asking similar questions, and have space to figure out what any of it means for you.
You might leave with a new friend, a community you didn't know you were looking for, or just a question worth pursuing. Either way, it's a start.
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If you're curious about:
what third spaces make possible, and
want to hear how people from different communities, sectors, and walks of life are answering that question
… then the Festival is for you!
Our partners and collaboratorsCNFC26 is co-created with organisations and practitioners who bring their own communities, perspectives, and expertise to the programme – spanning sustainability, advocacy, special needs, data storytelling, and more.
“Every detail was thoughtfully executed. We're thrilled with the outcome.”
— Former Customer
“Every detail was thoughtfully executed. We're thrilled with the outcome.”
— Former Customer
“Every detail was thoughtfully executed. We're thrilled with the outcome.”
— Former CustomerWhat do we need third spaces for?
Come explore it with us at Common Ground Civic Centre.