Mapo District Collects Ideas from Residents and Officials... Up to 1 Million Won Awarded for Selected Proposals

Mapo District in Seoul is operating the "2026 Mapo District Proposal System" year-round, which incorporates ideas from residents and public officials into local administration.

The proposal system allows anyone to freely submit suggestions for administrative improvements or new policy ideas in any area that can be implemented under the authority of the district mayor. The system is divided into "Citizen Proposals," in which residents participate, and "Public Official Proposals," in which government employees participate.

Mapo District Office Building. Provided by Mapo District Office.

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Through the Citizen Proposal, residents can submit ideas to improve daily inconveniences or propose new policies. Public Official Proposals allow government employees to submit ideas not only for their own work but also for improving other functions. Proposals can be submitted at any time throughout the year: Citizen Proposals via the National Petition Portal, and Public Official Proposals via the Administrative Portal.

Proposals are evaluated based on creativity (30 points), efficiency (20 points), sustainability (20 points), scope of application (20 points), and degree of effort (10 points). However, if there are no proposals that meet the criteria for a particular grade, the grade may not be awarded. Proposals that are primarily complaints or lack feasibility may also not be selected.

If selected, winners receive awards of 1 million won for the Gold Prize, 600,000 won for the Silver Prize, 300,000 won for the Bronze Prize, and 100,000 won for the Encouragement Prize. For Public Official Proposals, in addition to the same prizes, creative mileage points are awarded, and depending on the grade, personnel benefits such as special promotions or transfers to preferred departments may also be granted.

In 2024, out of 241 submissions, a total of 16 proposals were selected, including 9 Citizen Proposals and 7 Public Official Proposals. In the previous year, 262 proposals were submitted, with 3 Public Official Proposals being selected. One of the winning proposals last year, "Incentives for On-Call Duty," is currently being implemented, exempting employees from the next duty roster if they work on-call during holidays or festive periods. Other selected proposals included "Operation of Mental Health Recharge Stations" and "Improvements to the Saeol Administrative System."

A Mapo District official stated, "While a variety of opinions from residents are being submitted as proposals, feasibility and specificity are crucial for them to be reflected in policy," adding, "We hope to see many creative and practical ideas incorporated into local administration through active interest and participation."

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