[Seoul District News] Songpa-gu Sends Congratulatory Cards and 'Seongnyeon Departure Support Fund (200,000 KRW)' Notices for 'Confident First Step Toward Big Dreams at Twenty'... Jungnang-gu Sends Coming-of-Age Day Cards to 2,945 Twenty-Year-Old Youths... Nowon Youth Participatory Budget Contest... Jungnang-gu Recruits 1,934 Participants for Youth Era Program
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Songpa-gu is sending congratulatory cards for Coming-of-Age Day to about 6,000 local youth aged 19 (born in 2003) in the district.
Since 2021, the district has been sending congratulatory cards for Coming-of-Age Day to support the new start, new rights, and new responsibilities of twenty-year-old youth and to motivate them to grow into healthy members of society.
The card includes the message, "A confident first step toward your big dreams at twenty! Songpa-gu supports you," along with an enclosed notice about the ‘Coming-of-Age Start Support Fund,’ which provides local currency worth 200,000 KRW to twenty-year-old youth.
A district official said, “We celebrate and support Coming-of-Age Day together with 670,000 Songpa-gu residents. In this time of rapid social change due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, we will support our youth who are coming of age so that they can pursue their grand dreams and hopes without wavering by providing comprehensive support in areas such as startups, jobs, and education.”
Meanwhile, the ‘Coming-of-Age Start Support Fund’ is a project that provides 200,000 KRW in Songpa Love Gift Certificates, a form of local currency, to youth born in 2003 who have continuously resided in Songpa-gu for more than one year.
Applications can be submitted on the Songpa-gu website from May 16, Coming-of-Age Day, until July 15.
Jungnang-gu announced on the 13th that it has sent congratulatory cards for Coming-of-Age Day to 2,945 local youth born in 2003 who have come of age this year, in celebration of Coming-of-Age Day on the 16th.
Coming-of-Age Day is designated as the third Monday of May each year since 1973 to remind young adults of their social responsibilities and to instill pride as adults.
The congratulatory card for Coming-of-Age Day contains the message: “Your shining youth is just beginning. Congratulations on becoming an adult! Jungnang-gu supports your brilliant youth, a once-in-a-lifetime shining twenty years!”
This is the second year Jungnang-gu has sent congratulatory cards for Coming-of-Age Day. Since last year, the district has been sending cards to celebrate youth who have turned 19 and to encourage a bright new start in life.
A district official said, “The congratulatory card project for Coming-of-Age Day is a message of support for twenty-year-olds who are starting anew as adults. We will continue to promote various youth support projects for the young people who will be the shining protagonists of the future.”
The district is implementing various support policies for youth. These include the ‘1934 Youth Activity Support Project,’ which began recruiting participants this month, the Youth Mental Health Voucher Project to care for young people’s mental health, and youth employment special lectures that open paths for career exploration, among many other efforts.
Nowon-gu announced that it is conducting the ‘2022 Nowon Youth Participatory Budget’ contest project.
The ‘Nowon Youth Participatory Budget System’ is a project where youth directly propose policies needed by youth and allocate and execute budgets. It has been implemented since 2020 to expand youth participation in policymaking.
This is a key core project of the ‘Nowon-type Youth Policy’ aimed at creating an environment where youth can be respected and engage in sustainable social activities through improving physical and mental health, providing startups and jobs, and enhancing welfare conditions.
The theme for the 2022 Nowon Youth Participatory Budget contest project includes projects for regional change in Nowon such as ▲ pilot youth policies tailored to Nowon-gu’s characteristics ▲ activation of youth communities and network building plans ▲ policies to revitalize youth cultural streets in areas like Gongneung-dong and Sanggye-dong.
Teams composed of youth aged 19 to 39 who reside in Nowon-gu or are active in the district can apply. Even if not all team members reside in Nowon-gu, as long as at least one member is a resident or activist in Nowon-gu, the team can apply.
Each team can receive up to 5 million KRW in support funds, and about 10 teams will be selected. Professional judges will evaluate proposals based on feasibility, sustainability, public interest, originality, and enthusiasm through document and interview screening.
Applications are accepted until May 22. Applicants can download forms from the Nowon-gu office website and submit the application form, project plan, and documents verifying local base (such as employment certificate, enrollment certificate, or other proof of activity in Nowon-gu) via email.
Final results will be announced on May 27 on the district office website and notified individually. Selected teams will receive subsidies in June and carry out their projects until the end of November.
The district will provide customized consulting for teams facing difficulties in project execution and will regularly share team activities. After project completion, a network party will be held to gather feedback and actively reflect it in district administration.
For more details, contact the district office’s Child and Youth Division.
Meanwhile, the district is making every effort to implement youth policies that resonate with youth lives. This year, efforts focus on expanding spaces for youth such as the ‘Nowon Youth Work-Life Center,’ ‘Nowon Youth Agit,’ and ‘Nowon-gu Youth Job Center’; creating a youth job ecosystem through programs like ‘Nowon Chance 3 for Unemployed Youth,’ ‘Work Experience Support Project,’ and ‘Nowon Youth Store’; and promoting policies reflecting youth voices such as the ‘Nowon Youth Policy Academy’ and ‘Nowon Youth Network.’
A district official said, “The Youth Participatory Budget System is a great opportunity for youth to take an interest in their community and participate as agents in policy implementation. We hope many will challenge themselves with diverse and innovative ideas. We will do our best to discover and support various policies so that youth can fully demonstrate their hidden potential.”
Jungnang-gu is recruiting participants for the ‘1934 Youth Era,’ a youth activity support project that allows challenges on any topic, until the 22nd.
‘1934 Youth Era’ means supporting youth aged 19 to 34 and is part of the youth policy governance activation support projects. It supports local youth’s challenges and broadens their experiences. It has been steadily conducted since 2020 due to its popularity among youth.
The secret to its popularity is ‘freedom.’ It helps participants concretely realize projects they have only thought about. Participants freely plan and execute their projects. Activities can include various hobby classes, studies, sports, volunteer work, explorations?any activity a youth can do. Participation for profit-making or political or religious purposes is restricted.
This year, to provide more youth with participation opportunities, recruitment is divided into two sessions. The first session recruits 22 teams of individuals or groups, and the second session will be recruited in August.
Applicants must be youth aged 19 to 34 who reside or are active (employed, studying, or starting a business) in the district, or youth groups of three or more. For groups, the representative must be a Jungnang-gu resident or an active youth in Jungnang-gu.
More concrete activity goals and plans receive additional points. After the first document screening and second face-to-face interview, final participants are selected. The 22 selected teams receive activity funds: 500,000 KRW for individuals and up to 1.5 million KRW for groups.
Applications can be submitted on the district office website, and pre-consultation is available at the Youth Root Social Cooperative. Participants in pre-consultation receive priority in screening. For detailed inquiries, contact the KakaoTalk channel ‘Youth Root.’
A district official said, “‘1934 Youth Era’ is popular because it allows youth to engage in voluntary and proactive activities. We hope it will be an opportunity for youth to take a step forward with their own creative activities.”
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