Seongdong-gu Launches ESG Practice Contest with a 500 Million KRW Fund

Application for Seongdong-type ESG Practice Contest Open Until the 23rd, Up to 30 Million KRW Support per Project
Seongdong-gu Resident Groups, Social Innovation Companies, Nonprofit Private Organizations Can Participate Regardless of Location

Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeong Won-oh) is recruiting applicants for a public contest to carry out Seongdong-type ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) practice projects until the 23rd.

Since 2022, Seongdong-gu has been conducting an annual public contest to support ESG practice projects in daily life to raise awareness of ESG and create a sustainable city.

The total support amount is 500 million KRW, with up to 30 million KRW provided per project.

Eligibility includes ▲social innovation companies (social ventures) ▲non-profit private organizations and corporations ▲universities ▲(social) cooperatives ▲(preliminary) social enterprises ▲groups of five or more Seongdong-gu residents.

In particular, starting this year, the location restriction for organizations or companies has been lifted to allow various new applicants to participate. Selected projects through screening will implement ESG activities throughout Seongdong-gu from April to November. Detailed information can be found in the announcement posted on the Seongdong-gu Office website.

Last year, a total of 14 organizations participated in the ESG practice public contest. They operated reusable cup rental services, supported coffee grounds recycling, provided vegetable cultivation education for vulnerable groups through visits, exhibited safety content using abandoned houses, and offered exhibition spaces for marginalized artists. Additionally, various projects were promoted to expand ESG awareness and base, such as operating self-diagnosis consulting for small and medium enterprises.

Notably, ESG activities by children, the future generation, stood out. The Children's ESG Committee 'Eusseokdan' planned and practiced ESG tasks themselves, and 'Majangmaeul Children' performed a self-produced musical to improve environmental awareness.

Seongdong-gu developed the first local government economic E+ESG index in September 2022 and has been utilizing it in district administration. In September 2023, it enacted the Seoul Special City Seongdong-gu ESG Activity Support Ordinance to support ESG activities of residents and stakeholders, leading progressive ESG policies.

Jeong Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, stated, "Awareness of ESG has greatly improved through the ESG practice public contest that Seongdong-gu is proactively promoting," and added, "We ask for much interest and participation so that newer and more diverse ESG projects can unfold this year as well."