Gwangyang City, Youth Policies This Year... 67 Projects with 39.1 Billion Won Investment

Expectations for Improved Youth Employment and Economic Independence through Expansion of Youth Welfare and Jobs

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Gwangyang City, Jeonnam, has established the '2020 Gwangyang City Youth Policy Implementation Plan' to create a foundation for youth to actively participate in city administration, diversify youth welfare, and expand youth employment in accordance with the 'Gwangyang City Youth Basic Ordinance.'

Accordingly, Gwangyang City announced on the 22nd that it will invest a total of 39.1 billion KRW in detailed youth policy projects to be promoted this year.

As of the end of 2019, the youth population in Gwangyang City was 45,883, accounting for 29.3% of the total population, and the average age was 40.8 years, making it still the youngest city in Jeonnam.

The city sets the vision of 'Gwangyang, a city of hope where youth achieve their dreams,' and pursues 67 detailed projects in four major areas with policy directions such as ▲establishing a foundation for youth independence ▲youth-led + administrative support + citizen empathy.

The four major areas are ▲creating a new industry ecosystem and revitalizing youth hope jobs ▲improving youth settlement conditions through housing stability and welfare support ▲creating a youth cultural ecosystem by supporting cultural and artistic activities ▲expanding youth participation by establishing a youth policy promotion system.

Among the 67 detailed projects, 14 new projects will be launched, including ▲hosting the Gwangyang Drone Festival (50 million KRW) ▲operating the POSCO Group Employment Academy (240 million KRW) ▲Youth Employment Living Lab Project (85 million KRW) ▲supporting transportation expenses and activity allowances for job-seeking youth (440 million KRW) ▲providing happiness coupons for mothers with multiple children (440 million KRW) ▲'New Start at 20, Dream Support Education' (250 million KRW) ▲operating the youth cultural and artistic performance 'Youth is Narsha,' among others.

In addition, efforts will be expanded to promote housing stability, welfare support, and improvement of working conditions so that youth can settle and live in the local area. To alleviate the burden of childbirth and parenting, the city plans to provide maximum support for childbirth promotion and childcare expenses to create a 'city good for raising children' together.

This youth policy implementation plan includes 16.3 billion KRW in national funds, 1.7 billion KRW in provincial funds, 21 billion KRW in city funds, with additional private sector contributions separately invested.

Lim Chaegi, Director of Strategic Policy, said, “Based on the 2020 youth policy implementation plan, we will establish a promotion system for youth policies and create local settlement-type jobs through support for start-ups and new jobs, jobs in the cultural and artistic fields, and fostering future promising professional agricultural managers. We will promote youth welfare projects for economic independence so that young people can settle and live in our region, creating 'Gwangyang, a city of hope where youth achieve their dreams.'”