There Is a 'Nowon-Type Youth Policy' Covering Youth Work, Relationships, and Spaces

Nowon-type Youth Job Project, Job Experience Support Project to Discover Jobs, Connect Youth with Local Businesses... 50% Rent Reduction for 7 Youth Stores, Providing Interior Design and Tax, Accounting Mentoring

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) is promoting the ‘Nowon-type Youth Support’ for approximately 141,000 young people, accounting for about 28% of the total population of Nowon-gu, and is working on preparing policies for youth.

In particular, to support employment and start-ups, which are the biggest concerns for young people, Nowon-gu is discovering and focusing on projects unique to the district.

◇Youth Employment Support

Since 2020, Nowon-gu has launched the 'Work Experience Support Project,' which provides young people with the opportunity to work at desired workplaces for three months.

This project discovers jobs in various fields to help unemployed youth develop social entry skills and matches them according to their career paths. During their work period, young people can build employment and interpersonal skills under the management of a manager.

As of October 31 this year, 70 young people have participated in the project, gaining experience at 43 local workplaces, and three work parties have been held to form networks among participating youth.

Additionally, the 'Nowon-type Youth Job Project' offers opportunities to work at local businesses for up to 1 to 2 years, providing various educational supports to strengthen employment capabilities and 1:1 customized coaching programs to foster the growth of job-preparing youth.

Since 2019, the district has connected about 150 young people to jobs in social service institutions, cooperatives and social enterprises, general small and medium enterprises, and the 4th industrial sector, matching the diverse needs of youth.

Going forward, Nowon-gu plans to focus on discovering jobs in future new industries including digital fields and social economy enterprises, and expand the project by providing incentives of up to 10 million KRW to youth who transition to regular employment after participating.

◇Youth Start-up Support

There is also the 'Nowon Youth Store' project for young people dreaming of starting a business. To nurture young entrepreneurs, the district reduces 50% of the biggest obstacle, rent, and supports part of remodeling and facility investment costs.

This not only distributes cost burdens but also provides essential start-up education such as tax, accounting, and marketing mentoring, sharing early-stage difficulties and encouraging youth challenges.

In February 2021, Nowon-gu established the 1st and 2nd Youth Stores at Nowon Math Culture Center and Nowon Culture and Arts Center, followed by the 3rd to 6th stores in the private commercial area of Gureung-dong Noodle Street in August.

Operators were recruited and contracts signed targeting youth aged 19 to 29 residing or planning to reside in Nowon-gu. This year, a total of 7 teams and 10 young people realized their start-up dreams through Nowon Youth Stores.

Youth opened their own stores in various sectors such as cafes, exhibition and art shops, drawing studios, and coding academies, adding vitality to the local commercial district with their unique sensibilities and differentiated ideas. Next year, the project plans to expand by opening 8 additional youth stores.

◇Youth Community Nowon Orang

To form and activate youth communities, Nowon-gu established ‘Nowon Orang’ in November 2020 on the 9th floor of KB Financial Nowon Plaza at Nowon Station intersection, an area with a high concentration of young people, covering about 331.10㎡ (approximately 100 pyeong).

The facility includes a comprehensive counseling room for youth, VR/online interview rooms, open spaces, and classrooms, available from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Currently, Nowon Orang runs various programs such as counseling, one-day classes, and youth clubs, striving to provide comprehensive youth policy support by helping young people find solutions when facing difficulties in daily life.

Despite difficulties in holding large-scale events and gatherings due to the impact of COVID-19 in 2021, the youth membership of Nowon Orang increased to 6,800.

The district expects Nowon Orang to become a hub for youth gatherings in the northeastern region of Seoul.

In 2021, Nowon-gu allocated 12 billion KRW to youth policies, implementing 11 major tasks and 36 strategic projects under five strategies: discovering Nowon-type youth jobs, establishing five safety nets, creating a foundation for youth participation activities, making Nowon a place where youth gather, and building and stabilizing the youth policy promotion system.

Mayor Oh Seung-rok of Nowon-gu said, “To move toward a vibrant future city, we must create an environment where young people want to live,” and added, “We will continue to implement various customized youth projects to make Nowon a youthful city.”