SK Imup, Hosting Idea Contest to Create Social Value in the Forestry Sector

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] SK Forestry announced on the 8th that it will hold a social value creation idea contest using forest resources called “SUPEX Social Business in the Forest” for social enterprises in the forestry sector.

In this contest, jointly conducted with the Korea Forestry Promotion Institute, selected companies will be provided with four forests nationwide owned by SK Forestry as shared infrastructure for social value creation. The total forest area is 1,100 hectares (ha), approximately four times the size of Yeouido.

Since the 1970s, SK Forestry has contributed to national forest greening by purchasing barren mountainous areas. Through this contest, it aims to help social enterprises create various social values based on forests, such as local job creation, revitalization of surrounding area tourism, and support for socially vulnerable groups, beyond profit generation.

Selected companies or organizations will receive various business support benefits, including free lease of afforestation sites owned by SK Forestry, initial business funding, technical and educational support.

Any social enterprise in the forestry sector registered with the Korea Forestry Promotion Institute or a social cooperative approved by the Korea Forest Service can participate in the contest. Additionally, social enterprises registered with the Korea Social Enterprise Promotion Agency, village communities near afforestation sites, and general companies can qualify by forming a consortium with forestry social enterprises or social cooperatives.

Applications can be submitted via email (honsh@kofpi.or.kr) to the Korea Forestry Promotion Institute from today (the 8th) until July 3rd. On-site briefing sessions will be held for companies that apply in advance during the application period. Detailed information is available on the SK Forestry and Korea Forestry Promotion Institute websites.

Meanwhile, SK Forestry, established in 1972 according to the will of the late Choi Jong-hyun, the former chairman of SK Group, has contributed to national forest greening and scholarship funding through forestry projects. It currently operates sustainable forestry projects nationwide in places such as Chungju, Cheonan, Yeongdong, and Hoengseong. In Hoengseong, together with the social venture accelerator Impact Square, it provides the “Forest Campground Hoengseong Shelter” as a venue for workshops and events for social enterprises. In Cheonan, it operates a walnut orchard in cooperation with local residents to create social value.

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