Gwangju City Named No. 1 in Youth Policy Nationwide... Wins Presidential Citation

Work Experience Dream, Youth Dream Bank, and AI Academy Lead the Way
The Only Outstanding Institution Among 17 Cities and Provinces... Recognized as a Leading Example
"Achievements in Supporting Youth Independence and Welfare Improvement"

Gwangju City was the only one among 17 metropolitan cities and provinces to be selected as an outstanding institution for youth policies. On the 20th, Mayor Kang Gijeong received a presidential citation at the 'Youth Day Ceremony' held at the Blue House's Nokjiwon, and then took a commemorative photo with Prime Minister Kim Minseok. Photo by Gwangju City

Gwangju City has been awarded a presidential citation in recognition of its achievements in youth policy initiatives, including the Gwangju Youth Work Experience Dream Project, the Youth Dream Bank, and the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Academy.

On September 21, Gwangju City announced that it was the only one among 17 metropolitan cities and provinces to be selected as an excellent institution for youth policies at the 'Youth Day Ceremony' held at Nokjiwon in the Blue House on September 20, in celebration of 'Youth Day' (the third Saturday of September), and received a presidential citation.

This evaluation was based on a comprehensive review of the 2024 youth policy outcomes submitted by 46 central government agencies and 17 metropolitan cities and provinces. Gwangju received high marks in all categories, including improvement of youth life, policy implementation, and youth-led participation.

The city implemented the 'Gwangju Youth Work Experience Dream Plus Project' in the employment sector. Launched in 2017 as the first of its kind nationwide, the program has involved 7,231 young people and 4,607 businesses, making it the largest in the country. In 2024 alone, a total of 900 participants received 7.7 billion won in support, providing practical work experience opportunities. In the housing sector, the 'Gwangju-Style Job Housing Support Project'-the nation’s first mutual cooperation-based regional job program-provided monthly housing subsidies of 300,000 won to 580 young workers, totaling 2 billion won. In the education sector, the 'Gwangju Artificial Intelligence (AI) Academy' is leading the future industry by training 305 AI professionals from across the country with an investment of 6 billion won.

In the financial sector, the 'Youth Dream Bank' was launched in 2017 as the nation’s first customized financial counseling and debt adjustment service for youth, supporting 4,603 individuals and expanding nationwide. In 2024, 839 young people received debt counseling and delinquency prevention funds, helping them regain financial stability.

In the welfare sector, the 'Gwangju-Style Youth Job Savings Program,' which began in 2024, is a Gwangju-specific asset-building model that provided 3 million won in support to 200 young employees of small and medium-sized enterprises, enabling them to save 10 million won over two years. In the cultural sector, the 'GCC Cultural Content Academy' is the country’s only immersive content talent development institution. Last year, it selected 132 participants and began operations with an investment of 2.4 billion won. In the participation and rights sector, the 'Gwangju Youth Committee' was launched in 2015 as the first of its kind nationwide to reflect youth opinions in municipal policy. Now in its ninth term, it has produced 419 youth committee members and contributed to the implementation of 38 policy initiatives, including the Youth Platform.

The 'Youth Dream Bank,' which has spread nationwide, was recognized for its contribution to solving youth debt issues, and its operating organization, the Gwangju Youth Wallet Training Center Social Cooperative, received a Prime Minister's citation.

Mayor Kang Gijeong stated, "This award is recognition by the central government of Gwangju City’s efforts to support youth independence and welfare improvement across various sectors such as employment, housing, and welfare. We will continue to do our utmost to create a city where young people can work and live well by fostering future industries such as artificial intelligence and mobility and creating quality jobs."