Pocheon City Selected for "Youth Growth Project" Contest, Secures 100 Million Won in State Funding

Pocheon City in Gyeonggi Province was finally selected for the Ministry of Employment and Labor's 2026 "Youth Growth Project" competition, securing about 100 million won in project funding to prevent local youth from giving up on job searching and to provide tailored employment support.

Pocheon City was ultimately selected for the Ministry of Employment and Labor-led 2026 "Youth Growth Project" competitive grant program, securing more than 100 million won in funding to prevent job-search discouragement among local youth and provide tailored employment support. Provided by Pocheon City.

This project was prepared as an extension of Pocheon City's ongoing policies to support youth independence and settlement. The city has been steadily implementing policies that encompass housing, self-reliance, and capacity building, such as youth monthly rent support, support for young entrepreneurs, and the Youth Ladder Program. With this selection in the public contest, the city will further strengthen an integrated support system that links these existing policies.

Pocheon City plans to conclude a support agreement with the Ministry of Employment and Labor on February 27 and then finalize a detailed implementation plan to fully launch the project.

The "Youth Growth Project" is designed to support daily life recovery and the maintenance of job-search motivation for young people who have given up on seeking employment or are experiencing difficulties in the job-seeking process. Through programs tailored to individual circumstances, such as psychological counseling, career exploration, and job competency enhancement training, the project helps them re-enter the labor market and make a stable transition into society.

The city plans to operate a community-based support space (a youth cafe) that young people can freely use, and to link psychological and career counseling, career planning, and training to strengthen job preparation competencies. In addition, it will establish a cooperative system with related institutions in the region to reinforce linkages between programs and enhance the effectiveness of support.

In particular, for vulnerable groups in the job market, such as long-term unemployed youth, the city plans to apply one-on-one customized counseling and a follow-up management system based on an assessment of each individual's situation, so that the support will lead to tangible employment outcomes.

An official from Pocheon City stated, "This selection in the public contest is highly meaningful in that it has created an institutional foundation for young people who have experienced frustration in the job-seeking process to take on new challenges," adding, "We will continue to expand practical support so that young people can design their careers within the region and enter society in a stable manner."

After finalizing the detailed operation plan, Pocheon City will provide information on the program schedule and application procedures through the city hall website and its official channels.