[Seoul District News] Seongdong-gu Recruiting Social Venture Scale-up Companies Within 7 Years of Startup for Investment Attraction by 22nd · Customized Consulting Including Management Diagnosis, Active Investment Attraction, Continuous Growth Through Collaboration with Large Corporations... Yongsan-gu Announces 2022 Local Job Targets... Gwanak-gu Recruiting Additional Stores for ‘Gwanak-style Artterior Project’... Gwangjin-gu to Issue 10 Billion Won Gwangjin Love Gift Certificates on 11th at 11 AM · Up to 700,000 Won Per Person, Purchasable at 10% Discount... Jongno-gu
The district will invest 50.56 billion KRW in 130 projects under the vision of "Yongsan, a future city of jobs where history and culture coexist." Jobs are divided into public and private sectors.
Job creation in the public sector will be achieved through ▲direct job creation (2,998 people) ▲professional workforce training (1,074 people) ▲employment support services (1,962 people) ▲employment incentive support (1,120 people) ▲startup support (120 people) ▲job infrastructure establishment (3 people).
Jobs in the private sector (109 people) will be created through agreements with Seoul Dragon City Hotel and HDC Shilla Duty Free, operation of the social economy support center, discovery and fostering of village enterprises, and promotion of social enterprises.
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seongdong-gu (District Mayor Jung Won-oh) has prepared a program to strengthen the investment capabilities of social venture companies and is actively supporting them.
The district selects social venture companies with growth potential in the region and conducts in-depth diagnosis of overall management, providing customized mentoring and investment attraction consulting to strengthen corporate capabilities through the 'Social Venture Scale-Up' program.
This program, conducted in collaboration with Korea Social Innovation Finance (CEO Lee Sang-jin), a social enterprise specializing in social finance management registered as an accelerator by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and operating the Seoul Social Investment Fund, targets social ventures within the region that wish to attract investment within seven years of establishment.
Three companies will be finally selected through document screening and PT presentations by April 22. They will receive customized consulting through online and offline channels for about three months. The program includes business model (BM) review, setting growth goals for each company, investor relations (IR) consulting for promotional activities targeting shareholders and investors, and a demo day (Closed-Demo day) where developed products and BMs are disclosed to investors.
Especially this year, along with corporate consulting and investment attraction strategy establishment, meetings with external expert groups in accounting, taxation, and labor will also be held. After the demo day, 1:1 casual meeting days with participating investors will be additionally supported.
Now in its third year since 2020, the 'Social Venture Scale-Up' program has involved six social venture companies so far, which are currently attracting investment or pursuing collaborations with large corporations, continuing steady growth.
'People Who Make Parking Lots' participated in the first program in 2020 and won the grand prize at the 3rd Startup Promotion Agency Next IR Competition by developing an online parking lot sharing service. Pet Citizen Co., which provides pet problem prevention education services, and The Mong Co., which develops local travel content through vacant house regeneration, opened Pet Citizen Store and Jeju Stay The Mong respectively last year. Art Impact Co., which develops eco-friendly materials and manufactures recycled fashion products, acquired an eco-friendly brand and continues collaboration with the H Foundation.
Participating companies show high satisfaction with the program, citing "high understanding and active participation of the organizing institution," "improved IR quality before and after the program," and "an opportunity for one-step advancement rather than formal consulting."
Seongdong-gu Mayor Jung Won-oh said, "As ESG management expands across industries, interest in social ventures is greatly increasing. We will continue policies to discover and nurture social ventures with growth potential to further strengthen the social venture ecosystem."
Yongsan-gu (District Mayor Seong Chang-hyun) has established and announced the detailed 2022 job policy plan in accordance with the local job target disclosure system to revitalize local employment.
As of the end of January, the number of businesses in Yongsan-gu is 14,807, and the number of employees is 145,364, accounting for 2.5% and 2.9% of the total in Seoul, respectively. The working-age population aged 15 to 64 in the region is 164,417.
The district will invest 50.56 billion KRW in 130 projects under the vision of "Yongsan, a future city of jobs where history and culture coexist." Jobs are divided into public and private sectors.
Job creation in the public sector will be achieved through ▲direct job creation (2,998 people) ▲professional workforce training (1,074 people) ▲employment support services (1,962 people) ▲employment incentive support (1,120 people) ▲startup support (120 people) ▲job infrastructure establishment (3 people).
Jobs in the private sector (109 people) will be created through agreements with Seoul Dragon City Hotel and HDC Shilla Duty Free, operation of the social economy support center, discovery and fostering of village enterprises, and promotion of social enterprises.
The detailed 2022 Yongsan-gu job policy plan under the local job target disclosure system can be found on the district's website.
A district official said, "Looking at the industrial composition of Yongsan-gu, wholesale and retail trade account for 32.1%, and accommodation and food services 18.2%. With many museums, art galleries, embassies, and popular restaurants, and the planned creation of Yongsan Park, the outlook for tourism-related industries is bright."
The district is also focusing on discovering youth jobs utilizing local resources and strengthening job cooperation networks.
Youth job discovery projects utilizing local resources include operating the Yongsan History Museum, museum youth internships, youth workplace experience programs, youth employment special lectures, youth company exploration teams, and youth startup support centers.
The job cooperation network utilizes ▲Ministry of Employment and Labor local employment academy ▲regional industry employment strategy network ▲Seoul City upward and cooperative job creation network ▲Yongsan-gu youth policy network meetings ▲Yongsan-gu public-private cooperation job project meetings ▲public-private-government-academic regional revitalization consultative body and working committees.
Yongsan-gu Mayor Seong Chang-hyun said, "The organic cooperation system built with human and material resources forms the foundation for a sustainable job ecosystem. We will continue unique projects to achieve job creation goals and revitalize the local economy."
Gwanak-gu (District Mayor Park Jun-hee) announced that it will further expand and implement the Gwanak-style Artterior project, which supports design improvements for small business stores.
The Artterior project is a collaboration between local artists and small business owners to improve the interior and exterior design of neighborhood stores, such as signs and menus. The district has been supporting this project for four years since 2019.
According to a satisfaction survey of participating small business owners last year, the project satisfaction rate reached an average of 93.4%. From late February to mid-March, 242 stores applied for 120 available spots, showing great enthusiasm.
The district decided to allocate an additional 1 billion KRW in the first supplementary budget of 2022 to support a total of 280 stores, including those not selected previously and new applicants, to maximize support for stores wishing to participate.
To support a wide range of stores, the project now includes market stores and franchised stores capable of autonomous interior design, which were not supported before.
The support target is small business stores with fewer than five regular employees in the region that wish to improve the interior and exterior environment and product design. Up to 1.5 million KRW per store will be supported for 280 stores. However, entertainment businesses, franchised stores (support available if autonomous design capability is proven), and stores participating in similar projects (Artterior project, sign improvement project, traditional market turnaround store management support, etc.) are excluded.
Small business owners wishing to participate must submit the project application form, eligibility confirmation, personal information consent form, lease contract, and representative's resident registration abstract by April 10, either by visiting the 4th floor of Gwanak-gu Office's Regional Commercial Activation Division or each community service center, or by email.
For more details, check the Artterior project announcement and application forms on the Gwanak-gu Office website (News & Notices → Public Notices) or contact the Regional Commercial Activation Division.
A district official said, "Through distinctive design improvements via the Artterior project, we aim to create small business stores as popular spots for local residents and revitalize the depressed alley commercial districts. We will continue to actively seek more diverse and effective projects."
Gwangjin-gu (District Mayor Kim Sun-gap) will issue an additional 10 billion KRW worth of 'Gwangjin Love Gift Certificates' to revitalize the depressed commercial districts due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and stimulate local consumption.
The district sold out 15 billion KRW worth of Gwangjin Love Gift Certificates issued in January, and due to the enthusiastic response from small business owners and residents, decided to issue more.
The additional issuance will be 10 billion KRW on April 11 at 11 a.m., fully supported by the district's supplementary budget.
The Gwangjin Love Gift Certificates can be purchased at a 10% discount within a monthly limit of 700,000 KRW per person regardless of residence area, and offer a 30% income deduction benefit at year-end.
Purchases can be made through the 'Seoul Pay+', 'T-money Pay', 'Shinhan SOL', and 'Money Tree' apps. For 'Seoul Pay+', install by searching 'SeoulPay+' in Google Play Store or Apple App Store. For 'T-money Pay', 'Shinhan SOL', and 'Money Tree', join the 'Seoul Love Gift Certificate' service within the app.
Also, unlike before when certificates could only be purchased with cash, from this year they can be purchased with Shinhan Card, and refunds of remaining balances can be canceled at any time regardless of the period.
Purchased certificates can be used at about 10,000 Zero Pay affiliated stores in Gwangjin-gu. However, to align with the purpose of expanding local consumption and increasing small business sales, usage is excluded at large marts, department stores, large corporations and franchises, gambling and entertainment establishments, and large-scale private academies.
Gwangjin-gu Mayor Kim Sun-gap said, "We appreciate the enthusiastic response to the Gwangjin Love Gift Certificates and hope the additional 10 billion KRW issuance will greatly support local small businesses and residents. We will continue to promote support projects to revitalize the local economy and overcome the COVID-19 crisis."
Previously, since 2020, Gwangjin-gu has issued a total of 83.5 billion KRW worth of Gwangjin Love Gift Certificates in nine rounds to support small business coexistence and local economic recovery.
Jongno-gu has prepared a special time to meet and directly experience the dyeing technique that added dignity to the Joseon royal family's attire at the Hanok cultural space.
It is 'The Color of Endurance, Daehong' held at Mugyewon (Changuimun-ro 5ga-gil 2) from April 1 to June 19.
To reproduce the red color 'Daehong' used in the king's clothes, the royal robe (Eoui), dozens of processes are required. Especially, dyeing using the old royal method requires advanced skills and the craftsmanship of a skilled artisan.
Through this planned exhibition, the works of Kim Kyung-yeol, holder of Seoul City Intangible Cultural Property No. 49 Hongyeomjang, will be introduced to provide a precious opportunity to appreciate the excellence of traditional Korean dyeing techniques.
Jongno-gu also offers related training programs. Participants can learn in detail about the process of artisan Kim Kyung-yeol being designated as a cultural asset, the raw materials of Hongyeom, and make handkerchiefs and scarves dyed with natural dyes themselves. The program runs twice every Sunday from April 17 to May 8, totaling eight sessions. The tuition fee, including materials, is 20,000 KRW.
Anyone interested can participate. For applications and details, contact Mugyewon or the Jongno Cultural Foundation. Exhibition viewing is free and requires no separate application.
This exhibition is the 14th in the 'Beauty of Korea' series planned by Mugyewon to re-examine the beauty and excellence of traditional Korean crafts. Previous exhibitions such as 'Colorful Najeon,' 'The Aesthetics of Weaving, Chaesang,' and 'Flowers Blooming at the Tips of Toes, Hwahaejang' have been well received by citizens.
A district official said, "We recommend having a meaningful time appreciating and experiencing the works of an artisan representing Korea's Hongyeom technique."
Gangseo-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Noh Hyun-song) is stepping up to help young people struggling to find employment due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.
The district announced it will implement the 'Unemployed Youth Employment Incentive Support Project,' providing 500,000 KRW employment incentives to young people preparing for job seeking after graduation.
The purpose is to encourage job-seeking activities of job seekers facing difficulties in the COVID-19-shrunken employment market and to support young people facing economic hardships.
Eligible applicants are unemployed young people aged 19 to 34 residing in Gangseo-gu who graduated within the last two years, are not enrolled in employment insurance, or are enrolled but work 26 hours or less per week or are short-term workers for three months or less.
Youths who received employment incentives in 2021 can apply if they meet the eligibility criteria. University (graduate) students, those on leave, and those currently receiving or eligible for unemployment benefits are excluded.
Applications can be made online only until June 30 via the Seoul Youth Portal by registering as a member and navigating to 'Jobs - Employment Support - Unemployed Youth Employment Incentive.'
Required documents include resident registration abstract, employment insurance qualification history, final academic graduation certificate, military service certificate (if needed), and employment contract (for short-term work), which must be scanned and attached during application.
After eligibility screening, a mobile Gangseo Love Gift Certificate worth 500,000 KRW will be sequentially paid within four weeks from the application date. The certificate can be used at Zero Pay affiliated stores in Gangseo-gu until the end of this year.
A district official said, "As the employment market shrinks due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, young people are going through the toughest times. We will continue to prepare more practical support measures for youth."
For more information, contact the Gangseo-gu Job Policy Division or the Gangseo-gu Employment Incentive Counseling Call Center.
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