Jungnang-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Ryu Gyeonggi) announced on July 28 that it had received the Grand Prize in the social capital category at the 2025 National Manifesto Best Practices Competition for Local Government Heads, jointly hosted by the Korea Manifesto Implementation Headquarters and the Gyeongbuk Research Institute, for its operation of the "Jungnang Companion Sarangnet" initiative. The district also demonstrated its excellent administrative capabilities by achieving the highest grade (SA) in the pledge fulfillment evaluation for five consecutive years.
Ryu Kyunggi, Mayor of Jungnang District, and staff posing for a commemorative photo after winning the Grand Prize at the Manifesto Best Practice Contest. Provided by Jungnang District.
Jungnang-gu presented its case in the social capital category under the theme, "The nation's first welfare platform connecting residents with residents, 400,000 residents helping 400,000 residents: Jungnang Companion Sarangnet." Jungnang Companion Sarangnet was highly evaluated as an example of a welfare community built through cooperation between the public and private sectors, with residents taking the lead in participation.
In November last year, the district launched the welfare brand "Jungnang Companion Sarangnet" and has since been operating resident-participatory welfare projects in five major areas, including donations, talent sharing, and health. By linking online, offline, and educational platforms, the district connects residents with services, expands customized support, and encourages more volunteer participation. It also provides consultation and exchange spaces for residents who have difficulty accessing online services.
This competition was organized to discover and share outstanding pledges and policy cases from local governments nationwide. Under the theme "Resilient Cities, Humane Cities," it covered seven areas: economic and local industry support, alleviation of inequality, response to demographic changes, safety and disaster management, climate and environmental ecology, social capital, and community strengthening.
Additionally, Jungnang-gu received an excellence award in the field of local culture revitalization in 2023 for the theme "The Youngest in Seoul, Jungnang Cultural Foundation?Blossoming Art in Residents' Lives," and in 2024 for "Mangwoo History and Culture Park."
Ryu Gyeonggi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, stated, "The manifesto is not just a simple pledge, but a process of responsibly fulfilling promises made to residents. This three-year consecutive award is the result of faithfully keeping that promise and is a shared achievement between Jungnang residents and the administration." He added, "Going forward, we will further expand the welfare ecosystem where neighbors help neighbors, centered on Jungnang Companion Sarangnet, to realize warm and tangible welfare for all."
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