Busan to Provide Up to 1.8 Million Won per Person in Social Entry Activity Support for Unemployed Youth

Busan Metropolitan City has begun recruiting participants for the "Youth Stepping Stone Card+" program, which aims to ease the job-seeking burden for unemployed young people.

The city announced that from March 9 to March 27, it will recruit 1,000 young people to participate in the "Youth Social Entry Activity Support (Youth Stepping Stone Card+)" program.

This initiative targets unemployed residents of Busan between the ages of 18 and 39 whose household income is at or below 150% of the 2025 standard median income. Selected participants will receive "Youth Stepping Stone Card+" points worth 300,000 won per month for six months, up to a maximum of 1.8 million won. This support is offered once in a lifetime.

To ensure equal opportunity, participants will be selected by lottery according to income brackets: 700 people with income at or below 100% of the median, and 300 people with income between 100% and 150% of the median. In addition to direct financial support, the program is linked with employment and entrepreneurship capability-building programs to provide practical assistance in entering society.

The points can be used not only for direct job-seeking expenses such as certification fees, exam application fees, tuition for academies, and interview transportation costs, but also for indirect costs like meals and health management. This year, software, electronic devices, and lenses or glasses have been added as eligible direct expense categories to improve convenience for participants. However, usage is restricted for certain businesses unrelated to job-seeking activities, such as liquor stores, furniture, jewelry, and pet-related shops.

Additionally, if a participant secures employment or starts a business within the six-month program period, a "Job/Startup Success Grant" of 300,000 points will be provided as additional payment via the Dongbaekjeon card.

The city plans to complete participant selection in April, conduct preliminary training, and provide monthly activity support funds of 300,000 won from May to October for six months.

Mayor Park Hyungjoon emphasized, "I hope this program will help reduce the financial burden for local youth preparing for employment or entrepreneurship, allowing them to focus more on their preparation," adding, "We will actively discover and promote policies that provide practical support for youth self-reliance."