Commemorative Forum Held at EXCO on the 17th
Attended by Seo Sangmok, Shin Seunggeun, and Lee Jaein
Social economy enterprises such as social enterprises, village enterprises, and cooperatives in the Daegu region have steadily increased their sales despite the economic downturn.
On the 14th, Daegu City and the Daegu Social Economy Support Center announced, "The sales growth rate of social enterprises in Daegu in 2020 was an average of 4.1%, showing a clear growth trend compared to 3.88% for small and medium enterprises nationwide and -4.62% for large enterprises nationwide."
The increase rate of tangible assets of social enterprises in Daegu was surveyed at 39.8%, much higher than the 12.83% of small and medium enterprises nationwide, and the total asset growth rate was 20.2%, significantly surpassing 5.41% for large enterprises nationwide and 12.5% for small and medium enterprises nationwide. Additionally, the equity capital growth rate of social enterprises was 21.7%, more than twice that of 10.89% for small and medium enterprises nationwide and 5.01% for large enterprises nationwide.
The total sales of social economy enterprises in Daegu in 2021 amounted to 251.999 billion KRW, 1.7 times higher than in 2017, and the average sales per social enterprise reached 620 million KRW in 2020, an increase of 120 million KRW compared to 2016.
There are 1,304 social economy enterprises operating in Daegu, including 220 social enterprises, 98 village enterprises, and 986 cooperatives. The number of employees working in social economy enterprises in Daegu was 9,224 in 2021, 1.8 times higher than 4,998 in 2016. The number of employees per 1 billion KRW in sales was 14.3 for Daegu social enterprises, significantly higher compared to 9 in the service and education sectors, 2.3 in manufacturing and food service, and 3.4 in textiles and leather industries.
Furthermore, the survival rate of social enterprises five years after receiving financial support projects was 72%, showing a higher survival rate compared to 57.1% for start-up support enterprises and 33.8% for all enterprises in the Daegu region over five years.
Social enterprises in Daegu were found to facilitate employment for women, the elderly, and vulnerable groups. The female employment rate in Daegu social enterprises increased from 63.7% in 2016 to 68.7% over five years, and youth employment among those in their 20s and 30s rose from 32.5% in 2016 to 39.5% in 2021.
Vulnerable workers in Daegu social enterprises numbered 1,181, accounting for 52.9% of the total workforce. Among vulnerable workers, the elderly accounted for 31%, persons with disabilities 10%, and low-income workers 9%.
On the 17th, a commemorative forum titled "The Role of Social Economy for a Sustainable Local Community" will be held at EXCO.
Following the keynote speech by former Minister of Health and Welfare Seo Sang-mok, Part 1 will feature a keynote presentation by Professor Yang Jun-ho of Incheon National University, followed by a discussion with Professor Kim Young-chul of Keimyung University, Professor Jeon In of Yeungnam University, reporter Son Seong-rak of Seoul Economy, and Director Kim Ji-young of Daegu Social Value Finance.
In Part 2, under the theme "Regional Revitalization Strategies through the Hometown Love Donation System," presentations will be given by Professor Shin Seung-geun of Korea Polytechnic University and Kim Dae-ho, director of Gonggam Manse Research Institute, followed by a discussion with Kim Jae-kyung, director of Daegu Social Economy Support Center; Professor Lee Jae-in of Daegu Catholic University; Research Fellow Kim Kwang-seok of Daegu Policy Research Institute; Co-CEO Heo Young-chul of Gonggam Seeds; and reporter Noh Jin-sil of Yeungnam Ilbo.
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