Residents Decide on Neighborhood Projects Themselves... Strengthened Resident Autonomy
Introduction of Contest System Leads to Specialized Local Festivals and Funding for 162 Outstanding Projects
Haengsin 2-dong’s “Lotus Pond Development Project” and Haengju-dong’s “Carbon Neutral Village Contest” Win Grand Prizes
Goyang Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Dong-hwan) supports autonomous activities based on the voluntary participation of citizens and continues to promote education, consulting, and budget support to revitalize local communities.
Lee Dong-hwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, is delivering a greeting at the Todanggol Hanmaeum Festival in Neunggok Haengju-dong. Photo by Goyang Special City
According to Goyang Special City on the 18th, this year marks the fourth year since the full transition to resident autonomy councils. During this time, the city has prepared systematic support measures to expand resident participation and ensure sustainable autonomous projects.
As the autonomy of the resident autonomy councils has improved, resident-centered activities have become more active, with citizens leading the planning and operation of region-specific projects. Last year, exemplary cases followed, such as winning the grand prize in a public contest held by provincial institutions and receiving project funding.
The city introduced a subsidy contest system to support the capacity building of resident autonomy councils. Previously, a budget of up to 35 million KRW was uniformly provided to 44 neighborhoods, but since last year, subsidies have been given to projects selected through evaluation to increase efficiency. The evaluation criteria include feasibility, sustainability, effectiveness, and regional specialization strategies.
The village festivals, which were held in all neighborhoods, were also converted into contest projects, resulting in differentiated festivals reflecting regional characteristics being held in 24 neighborhoods. In particular, the integrated festivals in the ‘Neunggok-dong and Haengju-dong’ and ‘Hwajeong 1-dong and Hwajeong 2-dong’ areas expanded the local network by grouping nearby regions.
This year, the city will invest a total of 1.52 billion KRW in subsidies to strengthen resident participation and support region-specific autonomous activities.
Scenes from Hwajeong 1-dong and Hwajeong 2-dong 'Kkotumul Festival'. Provided by Goyang Special City
Each neighborhood resident autonomy council will receive 10 million KRW as essential project budgets for resident general meetings where residents discuss and decide on major local issues. Additionally, 1.09 billion KRW in subsidies will be provided to outstanding projects after reviewing 207 autonomous projects recommended through neighborhood resident general meetings held at the end of last year.
Last year, subsidies totaling 1.54 billion KRW were provided for 162 projects, including trail improvements, marketplace operations, fostering a culture of sharing through meal distribution, cultural and artistic events, and the production of village newsletters.
Meanwhile, some resident autonomy councils have strengthened their autonomous capacity by independently securing project funds and reinvesting them in the local community.
By securing their own project funds through resident autonomy center profits and sponsorship activities, they carried out projects such as △ creating flower paths along Bakjaegungcheon Stream (Jugyo-dong) △ traditional Bukhansan Mountain spirit rituals (Hyoja-dong) △ plant box neighbor sharing (Samsong 1-dong) △ smartphone education for seniors (Haengsin 1-dong) △ scholarship grants for low-income families in Hwindol (Baekseok 2-dong) △ sharing agricultural products (Gobong-dong) △ flood relief supplies support for sister cities (Ilsan 3-dong).
Goyang City has also prepared customized education, consulting, and incentive plans to strengthen the capacity of resident autonomy councils.
Practical education and professional consulting on understanding resident autonomy councils, their roles, project planning, and accounting management are provided to council members and staff. Last year, about 760 council members and staff participated in seven annual training sessions.
This year, a similar schedule is planned to strengthen systematic resident autonomy council operations and transparent project fund management capabilities.
Additionally, from March to December, the city will conduct a survey to identify areas for improvement and provide feedback by checking compliance with systems and standards, execution of local subsidy projects, accounting operations, and interviews with resident autonomy council members.
Furthermore, in the second half of this year, the city plans to award 20 million KRW each to six outstanding resident autonomy councils that pursue resident convenience and local community revitalization, evaluating their activities for practical self-reliance.
As a result of expanding the autonomy of resident autonomy councils, self-sustainability has been strengthened, and excellent cases of sustainable regional development have emerged.
The Haengsin 2-dong resident autonomy council promoted the ‘Lotus Pond Development Project’ for local environmental improvement and ecological preservation. They transformed a 3,000㎡ site along Changneung Stream in Gangmae-dong into a lotus complex, turning it into a cultural resting space for local residents. They also held events such as ‘Lotus Leaf Rice Making Experience’ and ‘Lotus Flower Photo Exhibition’ to encourage resident participation.
Last year, the Haengju-dong resident autonomy council won the grand prize in the ‘Carbon Neutral Village Contest’ hosted by the Gyeonggi Energy Agency for carbon neutrality activities and received 20 million KRW in project funding. The funds were used for projects that reduce household waste and improve resident convenience, such as purchasing a tumbler washing machine and a tool rental service.
Lee Dong-hwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, stated, “We are focusing on expanding practical autonomous projects that residents can directly participate in and feel. We plan to revitalize local communities centered on resident autonomy councils and support residents in demonstrating their autonomous capacity to solve local problems.”
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