Nowon-gu Supports 5 Million Won for Businesses Formed by 3 or More Youths

Up to 5 Million KRW Support per Team for Nowon-gu's Change Projects in Culture, Welfare, and Jobs

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Nowon-gu (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) is launching the ‘Nowon Youth Participatory Budget’ project, where teams of three or more local youths propose and directly implement business ideas.

The youth participatory budget, initiated for the first time this year, aims to establish a foundation for young people to work and engage in activities within the community. It is part of the ‘Nowon-style Youth Policy,’ which consists of five core strategies and 58 short- and long-term projects.

The themes include projects for changes in Nowon-gu related to transportation, culture, education, welfare, and jobs. Applicants must be youths aged 17 to 39, forming teams of three or more, with at least one member residing or active in the local area. The total budget is 25 million KRW, with support funds up to 5 million KRW per team.

The application period is until June 10, and applications along with business plans and documents verifying local ties can be submitted via email (gabrie11e@nowon.go.kr) or in person. Application forms and business plans are available on the district’s official website under the public notices section.

Selection will proceed through a first round of document screening, completion of the participatory budget school, and a second round of expert evaluation.

Teams passing the document screening must complete the Youth Participatory Budget School held on June 15-16. The budget school introduces Nowon-gu’s youth policies, examples of youth participatory budgeting, and methods for budget execution and settlement. Teams failing to complete the budget school will be excluded from the final selection.

The final project selection will be made by a selection committee composed of experts, youths, and public officials. Evaluation criteria include feasibility, public interest, and originality.

Notification of selection will be announced on June 26 via the district office website and individual contact.

The district will provide tailored on-site consulting for each proposed project to the selected teams and monitor overall matters such as project operation and budget usage according to the business plan.

After the project concludes at the end of November, the district plans to hold a session to share outcomes, gather feedback on youth projects, and reflect these in district administration.

The district initiated this project to create an ecosystem that allows youths to realize their potential, encouraging active participation and expression of their voices within the community.

During the 7th term of the local government, the district established a Youth Support Team through organizational restructuring and enacted the Nowon-gu Youth Basic Ordinance in May last year. A Youth Policy Committee consisting of 21 members was also formed to establish and evaluate basic plans, coordinate youth policy projects, and propose policies.

District Mayor Oh Seung-rok stated, “To make the city younger and more dynamic, it is essential to create an ecosystem where youths can live. We will listen carefully to the voices of young people and implement youth policies that do not overlook even the smallest matters.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.