From Youth Independence to Adolescent Cooking Contests... Gwangsan-gu Participatory Budgeting in Gwangju

Projects for Young People, Immigrants, and Adolescents
From Community Proposals to Selection and Implementation

The participatory budgeting system in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju is being implemented with a focus on policy beneficiaries such as young people, immigrants, and adolescents. Since the beginning of the 8th popularly elected administration, the scope of participants in the participatory budgeting process has been expanded, and the opinions of stakeholders are being reflected from the proposal stage through to implementation.

According to Gwangsan-gu on January 13, the youth participation project “Youth, It's My First Time Living Independently,” which was carried out last year through participatory budgeting, provided life skills education and financial management programs for young people who were living independently for the first time or living alone. The training included the use of tools, replacing light bulbs, toilet and sink maintenance, and organizing and storage. There were also programs for sharing meals and communication. A total of 208 young people participated in this project, and among the 113 respondents to a survey, 85.1% expressed satisfaction.

Gwangsan-gu has expanded the participation of young people and immigrants in the Participatory Budget Committee, and has operated the Participatory Budget School with customized courses for each group and on-site educational programs. This approach increases the participation of policy beneficiaries in the idea generation, agenda proposal, and project prioritization processes.

Projects targeting immigrants have also been implemented through participatory budgeting. In 2024, a learning class for Korean language education for immigrants and the “Dalasilarirang” festival, which brought together both established residents and immigrants, were held. The opinions of immigrants were reflected throughout the planning and selection process of these projects.

In the youth sector, participatory budgeting projects have continued in connection with the Youth Assembly. Last year, projects included support for cultural and arts clubs, and education and activity support for young freelancers. This year, four projects are planned: rental support for young entrepreneurs, a youth job fair, support for self-directed health management, and support for publishing.

This year, participatory budgeting projects for adolescents will also be introduced for the first time. Four projects selected by the Youth Assembly will be implemented, including a youth cooking contest, operation of career experience centers utilizing idle spaces in traditional markets, and support for learning spaces for out-of-school youth.

Gwangsan-gu is expanding participation across generations and social groups in the operation of participatory budgeting, and related projects continue to be promoted through the participatory budgeting system.