Asan City Introduces Lifelong Learning Program in Collaboration with Small Business Owners

Utilizing Private Venues Such as Cafes and Workshops Through Open Recruitment

On June 16, Asan City in South Chungcheong Province announced that it will introduce a practical lifelong learning program in collaboration with small business owners.

The project will utilize small business venues such as cafes, bookstores, and workshops, as well as urban regeneration shared spaces, as educational facilities.

The city plans to establish a pool of private learning spaces and instructors through regular public recruitment, with the principle of holding open recruitment at the end of the year, but also plans to conduct additional recruitment at the end of the first half if necessary.

During the recruitment process, the city will promote balanced development by providing additional points and priority allocation to old downtown areas and urban regeneration districts that are currently experiencing depopulation or slumification.

Participating small business owners will receive support of 30,000 won per session for sessions up to two hours, and up to 50,000 won for sessions exceeding two hours, within a monthly limit of 300,000 won.

The city plans to amend the ordinance for lifelong education promotion by next month and officially operate the program starting January next year.

Jang Chiwon, head of the Lifelong Learning Department, stated, "We will move beyond a focus on public facilities to support the sustainable growth of small businesses, promote mutual prosperity, and work to revitalize the local economy," adding, "We aim to create a new model of mutual growth by bringing lifelong learning into local commercial districts."