Jangseong-gun Selected as an Excellent Project for National Balanced Development... The Only One in Jeonnam

Published 23 Aug.2021 16:03(KST)

[Jangseong=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jo Hangyu] Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do, announced that the Forest Learning Center operated around Chukryeongsan Mountain has been selected as an ‘Excellent National Balanced Development Project of 2021’ by the National Balanced Development Committee (hereafter referred to as the Balanced Committee).

According to the county on the 23rd, this year the Balanced Committee selected excellent projects from the 2020 Balanced Development Special Account comprehensive subsidy projects nationwide, focusing on projects that contribute significantly to resolving regional imbalances and promoting autonomous development.

After a fair evaluation, a total of 18 excellent projects were announced, among which the county’s ‘Carbon Footprint Zero, Jangseong Forest Learning Center’ project was included, making it the only selection in the Gwangju-Jeonnam region.

The Forest Learning Center project operates various play and educational activities so that participants can personally experience the forest ecology. It is part of the Rural New Vitality Plus project promoted by the county and obtained international certification (LEAF) for forest learning centers from the Danish Environmental Education Foundation in April.

This is the only certified case in Korea.

The county has continuously supported the formation of project teams and consulting so that local residents participating in the Forest Learning Center project can develop income-generating models themselves and become the main operators.

Additionally, continuous efforts have been made together with local residents to develop products and environmental education programs utilizing the resources of Chukryeongsan Mountain.

As a result, despite the nationwide spread of COVID-19, stable operations have continued, recording annual sales of over 400 million KRW since 2019.

The Balanced Committee is known to have highly evaluated these points, including ▲long-term administrative support to enable residents’ self-reliance ▲active participation of residents as project agents ▲development of high value-added business models without environmental damage.

Yoo Doo-seok, the county governor, said, “This selection is the result of organic and close cooperation between the county administrative organization and local residents, a civil-government governance achievement. We will continue to strengthen residents’ capabilities and discover resident-led regional growth models to create a Jangseong where everyone lives happily and well.”