DBS Foundation has pledged S$1.5 million to Singapore’s national Digital for Life (DfL) Fund to support digital inclusion initiatives targeting the needs of an ageing population.
With the government providing dollar-for-dollar matching, the total contribution amounts to S$3 million, making DBS Foundation the largest corporate donor to the DfL Fund to date.
The Fund supports individuals and non-profit organisations in driving digital inclusion efforts across the nation.
According to The Edge, DBS Foundation will also collaborate with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to develop a new curriculum focused on GenAI.
With support from DBS employees, the partners plan to conduct 1,000 workshops across Singapore aimed at equipping participants with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to engage with digital tools and AI technologies.
Over a three-year period, the initiative seeks to reach 250,000 individuals, including senior citizens, youth, and persons with special needs.
The renewed commitment builds on a previous collaboration in 2022, when DBS Foundation contributed S$1 million to the DfL movement (inclusive of matched funding) and organised 680 digital literacy workshops that benefitted over 150,000 people.
Lim Him Chuan, DBS Singapore country head, highlighted the importance of inclusive digital transformation:
“As Singapore prepares to transition to a super-aged society, we want to ensure that everyone is empowered to embrace digitalisation and participate meaningfully in the evolving digital world.”
He added that the new GenAI workshops will aim to demystify AI and build confidence through hands-on learning.
Doreen Tan, Assistant Chief Executive of Strategic Planning and Digital Readiness at IMDA, noted that seniors have already gained confidence in using digital tools such as e-payments and even AI for daily tasks.
“This is what the DfL movement is about, rallying like-minded partners to ensure every Singaporean can thrive in our digital future,”
she said.
This donation forms part of the bank’s broader S$1 billion commitment over 10 years to improve the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable communities.
As part of this commitment, DBS has also pledged 1.5 million employee volunteer hours over the same period.
Earlier this year, DBS Foundation launched a S$7.3 million programme targeting social isolation and poor nutrition among vulnerable seniors.
The initiative supports 6,000 seniors through communal meals held twice a week, monthly enrichment activities, and quarterly grocery shopping trips.
Featured image credit: DBS
