The Korea Forest Welfare Institute announced on July 2 that it is inviting applications for the "2026 Green Fund Support Project."
The Green Fund is created from lottery proceeds distributed under the "Lottery and Lottery Fund Act." This fund is operated and managed by the head of the Korea Forest Service for the purpose of protecting the forest environment and enhancing forest functions, in accordance with the "Act on the Creation and Management of Forest Resources."
The support project aims to expand access to forests and opportunities for forest experience activities for socially and economically disadvantaged groups using the Green Fund, in line with the new government's policy direction of expanding inclusive welfare.
The total budget for next year's project is 35 billion won. Of this, 22.4 billion won will be allocated to the "Vulnerable Area Green Infrastructure Expansion Project," which aims to create indoor and outdoor forest environments and improve forest accessibility for people with limited mobility. Additionally, 12.6 billion won will be allocated to the "Forest Experience and Education Support Project for the Vulnerable," which supports forest education and experience programs for socially and economically disadvantaged groups.
In particular, for next year's project call, the eligibility requirements and selection criteria have been expanded so that regions and residents affected by large-scale wildfires can benefit.
Specifically, for the "Vulnerable Area Green Infrastructure Expansion Project," senior centers and community halls in areas designated as special disaster zones due to wildfires within the past five years (including this year) are now newly eligible to apply. For the "Forest Experience and Education Support Project for the Vulnerable," residents affected by wildfires have been newly defined as a vulnerable group and can now be included as beneficiaries.
In addition, to promote livelihood stability and economic recovery in the affected regions, a mutually beneficial project operation plan has been established, such as providing additional points when operating projects linked to local accommodation or programs.
Applications for the project can be submitted by uploading proposals and related documents to the "Green Fund Integrated Management System" from July 16 to August 1. Further details, including support conditions, can be found in the notices section of the Korea Forest Welfare Institute website.
Nam Taeheon, President of the Korea Forest Welfare Institute, said, "We hope for much interest and participation in the project so that socially disadvantaged groups can equally enjoy the benefits of forest welfare," adding, "The Korea Forest Welfare Institute will spare no effort to support local residents affected by disasters such as wildfires so that they can find psychological stability and opportunities for recovery in green spaces through the support projects."
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