Revitalizing Local Neighborhood Businesses
300 Million Won in Community Sharing in Action
Seo-gu in Gwangju (District Mayor Kim Ikang) is promoting a culture of giving and revitalizing local businesses simultaneously by implementing its flagship welfare policy, the 'Chakhan Gage·Chakhan Coupon' program, which connects sharing and consumption and has facilitated a total of 300 million won in donations within the community.
According to Seo-gu on May 8, the 'Chakhan Gage·Chakhan Coupon' program is a virtuous cycle welfare model unique to Seo-gu. It is based on donations from local small businesses, known as 'Chakhan Gage', which regularly donate at least 30,000 won each month. Using these funds, the district provides coupons worth 100,000 won per person to neighbors in need of care.
The distributed coupons can be used at 437 affiliated stores within the district, and the donated funds are then circulated back to local small business owners through this structure.
Last year, Seo-gu provided Chakhan Coupons to a total of 2,500 neighbors in need in two rounds, one in the first half and one in the second half of the year. This year, the number of beneficiaries has been expanded to 3,000, realizing a donation effort totaling 300 million won.
The coupons are sent in the form of mobile text messages (MMS) and can be used at a variety of everyday businesses such as restaurants, beauty salons, laundromats, and supermarkets.
As of the end of April, a total of 1,245 businesses have registered as 'Chakhan Gage', which form the foundation of the program, and among them, 35% (437 businesses) operate as Chakhan Coupon affiliates.
Businesses that continue to donate for a certain number of times receive a 'Chakhan Gage' plaque from the Gwangju Community Chest of Korea. The donations are recognized as statutory donations, making them eligible for a 100% income tax deduction.
This mutually beneficial welfare policy has also been recognized nationwide. At last year's 'Innovative Project Performance Sharing Conference', the Gwangju Community Chest of Korea awarded Seo-gu's 'Chakhan Gage·Chakhan Coupon Activation Project' the grand prize among 17 cities and provinces across the country.
The program was also selected as an 'Outstanding Case of Proactive Administration and Innovation·Collaboration in Seo-gu for 2024' by Seo-gu residents, gaining strong support within the local community as well.
On May 7, the day before Parents' Day, a voluntary sharing event was held at 'Sandong Banjeom', a Chakhan Gage in Kumho 2-dong, where around 500 senior citizens in the area were treated to Jajangmyeon, leaving a deep impression on the community.
District Mayor Kim Ikang stated, "The Chakhan Coupon is a representative policy of Seo-gu, a good city where donors, beneficiaries, and local small businesses work together to boost both the local economy and welfare. We will continue to expand the foundation for participation and provide policy support to create a community where sharing becomes a part of everyday life."
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