Mapo-gu Out-of-School Youth Support Sweeps Minister's Award and Grand Prize, Standing Tall as the Nation's Best

Minister of Gender Equality and Family Award for Outstanding Institution, 1st Place National Grand Prize for Outstanding Program
Providing Opportunities to Showcase Artistic Talent Aligned with the Cultural and Artistic Characteristics of Mapo-gu

Mapo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Park Gang-su) announced that it received the ‘Excellence in Operation of Out-of-School Youth Support Centers 2024 Award and Commendation’ hosted by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, winning both the ‘Excellence Institution Ministerial Award’ and the ‘Grand Prize for Outstanding Program.’

Among 230 out-of-school youth support centers nationwide, the Mapo-gu Out-of-School Youth Support Center was selected as one of the top six centers by establishing a systematic business plan to identify at-risk youth, support qualification exams and college entrance exam preparation, and achieve excellent academic results.

In particular, the center received high evaluation scores for operating various cultural and artistic programs tailored to the characteristics of the Mapo-gu area, such as dance, indie music, and design, providing youth with opportunities to discover artistic talents and nurture their dreams.

Based on these achievements, the Mapo-gu center was the only institution among Seoul’s autonomous districts to be selected as one of the top six institutions and received the Ministerial Award from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

Additionally, the Mapo-gu center’s music production club, ‘Heungeol Heungeol Record,’ won the grand prize, ranking first nationwide in the program category.

Out-of-school youth experienced the entire music production process?including songwriting, composing, recording, and editing?through Heungeol Heungeol Record, releasing an album consisting of four songs and music videos.

They also held a concert to improve public awareness of out-of-school youth, promoting the message that youth are challenging individuals with dreams and passion, gaining nationwide recognition for the excellence of the program.

The district strengthens the youth safety net through outreach ‘street counseling activities’ targeting at-risk youth and implements various youth counseling welfare projects, including step-by-step psychological recovery support programs for psychological stability and healthy growth.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, stated, “Mapo-gu has operated various policies and programs so that all youth, including out-of-school youth, can grow as valuable members of society. We will continue to create a youth-friendly urban environment so that young people can walk their own paths without losing their dreams and passion.”