Seodaemun-gu 'Resident Participation Budget Proposal Project' Contest

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) is focusing on soliciting proposals for the ‘Resident Participatory Budget Projects’ until the end of June this year.

The ‘Resident Participatory Budget’ refers to a budget allocated based on projects directly proposed by residents for their neighborhood’s needs. Since 2010, when Seodaemun-gu became the first autonomous district in Seoul to solicit proposals for resident participatory budget projects, it has been conducting this annually.

Anyone residing or active in Seodaemun-gu, or attending a school within Seodaemun-gu, can apply.

Applicants can visit the Seodaemun-gu website (Citizen Participation → Resident Participatory Budget → Proposal Projects → Propose a Project) and upload the project’s title, details, location, beneficiaries, on-site photos, estimated project cost, and more.

Alternatively, applicants can download the ‘Resident Participatory Budget Project Application Form’ from the site, fill it out, and submit it in person or by mail to the Seodaemun-gu Office’s Public-Private Cooperation Division.

For ‘program and event-type proposal projects,’ the project cost can be up to 15 million KRW, while other ‘general projects’ can be proposed without a budget limit.

The final project selection to be reflected in next year’s budget will be made in September this year through ▲ review by the district office’s project departments ▲ evaluation by the Resident Participatory Budget Committee ▲ resident voting and resident general meetings. However, projects proposed after the focused solicitation period in the second half of this year will go through next year’s selection process to determine whether they will be included in the 2024 budget.

Last year, 2 billion KRW was allocated to 76 projects through the Seodaemun-gu Resident Participatory Budget, which were reflected in this year’s district administration.

Additionally, the list and details of the Resident Participatory Budget projects implemented so far in Seodaemun-gu can be checked on the district’s website.

Mayor Moon Seok-jin said, “Seodaemun-gu’s resident participatory budget system is leading the way, having received excellent evaluations from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety last year,” and added, “The more the participatory budget system is activated, the more the quality of life for residents will improve.”