Hope Cart Project for Senior Waste Collectors
New Initiatives Including Youthful Smart Farm Launched
Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam will provide the largest number of senior jobs among local governments nationwide as it prepares to enter a super-aged society this year.
To support the stability and social participation of seniors, the city will invest a record 63.2 billion won this year to implement 16,397 senior job projects, an increase of 1,285 over last year.
Taking into account the capabilities and preferences of seniors, the city plans to offer ▲11,463 jobs in public interest activities (such as school zone and environmental maintenance), ▲2,469 jobs utilizing experience and skills (supporting facilities and institutions), ▲1,317 jobs in community business groups (food manufacturing and sales), and ▲1,148 jobs in employment support (private sector job placement).
In particular, Changwon City will focus not only on creating various new jobs tailored to the abilities of seniors, but also on supporting the Senior Internship Program to foster a business environment that promotes employment for the elderly.
To support the stable livelihood and safe activities of seniors who collect waste paper, the city will pilot the "Hope Cart" project group starting in March.
The "Hope Cart" project group will operate by providing 28 elderly waste paper collectors with a stable income: when they deliver collected waste paper to designated buyers (junk shops), they will receive a subsidy in addition to the sales proceeds, guaranteeing a minimum monthly income of 250,000 won for each participant.
The city will also promote an upcycling project that uses about 38 tons of discarded banners generated annually to produce shopping bags, sandbags, and collection sacks, which will be distributed free of charge to traditional markets and public institutions.
Due to the positive response from traditional markets and public institutions, the project, which was previously handled by one temporary worker, will be converted into a senior job project. A dedicated workshop will be established in the multipurpose room at Odong-dong Culture Plaza, and 20 participants will be recruited in March to begin technical training and production in April.
The "Youthful Smart Farm" is a state-of-the-art agricultural facility built in unused space at Masan University. It is equipped with a system that automatically controls temperature, humidity, lighting, and nutrient supply, allowing for cultivation regardless of season or external environment.
Last year, the city provided 50 million won to complete the installation of the smart farm, and this year, after assigning participants and providing basic training, it is conducting pilot cultivation of romaine lettuce, kale, bok choy, and more.
Changwon Special City Mayor Hong Nam-pyo stated, "We are providing the largest number of senior jobs ever this year to support a healthy and stable retirement," adding, "We will continue to develop quality jobs suited to the abilities of seniors and expand their participation in society."
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