Three decades ago, individuals on public assistance could apply for small government loans to start small businesses. The aim was to wean them off the dole and reinforce self-reliance and hard work. Welfarism remains a taboo, but social integration and individual independence despite adversity have become equally important. The old scheme might be worth another look. How might it be modified to fit into the funding system the committee has envisioned? Small loans could come, not from the ministry, but from a non-governmental bank. The committee mentions Social Investment Scotland and Charity Bank in Britain as examples. The non-commercial bank model is even more suitable for small borrowers unlikely to have collateral or a business track record. The Grameen Bank of Bangladesh may offer an alternative model. It gives out low-interest loans to groups of individual borrowers and has relied successfully on peer pressure to encourage repayment, reportedly above 98 per cent. The concept has taken root in more than 40 countries. It won its founder Muhammad Yunus the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize.

Commercial banks in Singapore could set up a partnership, as part of good corporate citizenship, to offer small loans in a way that does not undercut their regular business. The ComCare Enterprise Fund could evaluate applications from small individual borrowers as well as from big social businesses. Such a facility would enable disadvantaged individuals - with some training and mentoring by volunteers - to market what ability, skill or talent they have. Small, individually owned businesses are at least as effective as larger enterprises in encouraging hard work and innovation. There are few drives as powerful as working for oneself. The satisfaction of being one's own boss, serving instead of depending on society, underscores both the social and the entrepreneurial meaning of the term.