"City Lunchboxes Made by Young Small Business Owners Delivered to Vulnerable Groups" ... Seoul City Provides 1.1 Billion Won Support

At Least 220 Food Service Businesses Affected by COVID-19 Participate

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government is recruiting young small business owners to prepare lunchboxes and deliver them to vulnerable groups among the food service industry hit hard by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative aims to support small business owners suffering from a sharp decline in sales due to economic contraction while addressing the care gap for vulnerable groups caused by temporary closures of welfare centers.

On the 1st, Seoul announced that starting from the 31st of last month in Songpa-gu, it will invest a total budget of 1.1 billion KRW across 17 autonomous districts including Gangnam, Gangdong, Gangbuk, Gwanak, Gwangjin, Guro, Geumcheon, Dobong, Dongdaemun, Seodaemun, Seocho, Seongbuk, Songpa, Yangcheon, Yeongdeungpo, Yongsan, and Jungnang-gu to implement the "Emergency Support Project for Young Small Business Owners."

The city previously accepted applications from districts wishing to participate in this project, but explained that five districts operating Care SOS Centers?Gangseo, Nowon, Mapo, Seongdong, and Eunpyeong-gu?were excluded from participation as they are already running similar programs.

This project involves the city providing budgets to each district, which then recruit young small business owners to purchase lunchboxes and deliver them to vulnerable groups. The lunchbox delivery will be conducted in a non-face-to-face manner to minimize person-to-person contact.

According to the plans of each district, at least 220 small business operators are expected to participate, delivering lunchboxes to more than 4,000 vulnerable individuals.

Seoul is recruiting young small business owners wishing to participate by district. Since the project schedule, recruitment scale, and participation methods vary by district, detailed information can be found on the Seoul Youth Portal (https://youth.seoul.go.kr).

The support targets are food service workers manufacturing lunchboxes and ready meals, and participation is open to Seoul youth aged 19 to 39 who are business owners. The lunchbox cost will be paid up to 8,000 KRW per meal.

Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul, stated, "This is a pioneering project that promptly and practically supports young small business owners facing economic difficulties due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic while addressing the temporary care service gap for socially vulnerable groups caused by the temporary closure of multi-use facilities. Seoul will take the lead in providing full support for young small business owners and vulnerable groups."