Focusing Budget on Jobs and Housing
Expanding the Foundation for Education, Culture, and Participation
Permanent Youth Rent Support and Launch of K-ART Program
Gwangju Metropolitan City will invest 449.9 billion won in youth policies this year. The city will focus its budget on jobs and housing, and has finalized 94 youth projects covering education, culture, and participation.
On January 19, Gwangju City held a Youth Policy Coordination Committee meeting in the small conference room at City Hall and approved the "2026 Youth Policy Implementation Plan." The Youth Policy Coordination Committee is the highest decision-making and deliberative body, chaired by the mayor and comprising 25 members, including relevant department heads, youth policy activists, and experts.
On the 19th, the Youth Policy Coordination Committee held a meeting in the small conference room at Gwangju City Hall to review and approve the "2026 Youth Policy Implementation Plan." Provided by Gwangju City
With the goal of making Gwangju "a city of opportunity where youth can realize their dreams," the city will implement 94 projects across five sectors: jobs; education and vocational training; housing; finance, welfare, and culture; and participation and infrastructure. The total project budget is 449.9 billion won.
For new initiatives, the city has allocated 756 million won to launch the K-ART Youth Creator Support Project, enabling young artists to focus on their creative activities. The temporary special support program for youth monthly rent will be converted into a regular program. The city will also prioritize the establishment of a Regional Innovation-led University Support System (RISE), support for glocal universities, and entrepreneurship-centered university projects.
In the jobs sector, 137.5 billion won will be invested in 33 projects. These include job-seeking activity allowances for youth, the Youth Job Experience Dream Project, and special guarantees for youth startups. Projects such as the Youth Growth Project and Youth Challenge Support Project will also be promoted for long-term unemployed young people.
In the education and vocational training sector, 84 billion won will be invested in 20 projects. The city will nurture talent for future industries through initiatives such as establishing a regional ICT Innovation Square, operating an Artificial Intelligence Academy, supporting AI graduate schools, supporting semiconductor-specialized universities, and running industry-academia integrated apprenticeship schools.
In the housing sector, 148.5 billion won will be invested in nine projects. These include youth monthly rent support, tailored housing deposit interest support for youth, construction of Gwangju-style integrated public rental housing in Sangmu District, and operation of Namdo Hakshuk dormitory.
In the finance, welfare, and culture sector, 78.3 billion won will be invested in 26 projects. The city will operate the Youth Tomorrow Savings Account, Youth 13 Account, Gwangju-style Youth Job Deduction, and Youth Dream Bank. The plan also includes the operation of a support center for reclusive youth, support for youth preparing for independence, youth mental health support, and youth addiction prevention and management projects. Support for accident insurance for youth in military service and Gwangju-style public transportation subsidies will also be implemented.
In the participation and infrastructure sector, 1.5 billion won will be invested to operate the Youth Policy Coordination Committee, Youth Committee, Youth Center, and Youth Policy Integrated Platform.
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