The sole Seoul district recognized in the Ministry of Employment and Labor's national evaluation, the award marks the first external accolade for Seongdong-gu since the launch of the ninth elected administration.
Seongdong-gu in Seoul announced it has been named a top local government for social enterprise development in 2026 by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, earning the minister's award.
The evaluation covered all 17 metropolitan cities and provinces and 226 cities, counties and districts nationwide, assessing five categories: local job creation and market access support; management of pre-certified social enterprises; establishment of support systems and identification of best practices; participation in the Social Value Index and transparency improvements; and achievements in regional development and social service delivery.
As a result, Seongdong-gu was named one of eight outstanding local governments nationwide and was the only district in Seoul to receive the honor. The district had previously been recognized as an outstanding institution for four consecutive years from 2019 to 2022, and this year's minister's award again affirms its standing as a social economy-friendly city.
The district has pursued a range of field-oriented policies, including operating a social economy revitalization fund and the Seongdong Impact Fund; running the Seongdong Social Economy Support Center and a social venture hub center; managing a grant program to support social enterprise growth using the Social Value Index; and providing scale-up programs and customized business consulting. Evaluators gave high marks to the district's efforts to drive local job creation and expand social service delivery through tailored support for individual enterprises, as well as its work building a sustainable foundation for the social economy ecosystem.
Particularly noted as a best practice was the district's proactive response to the suspension of Ministry of Employment and Labor fiscal support programs: it allocated its own budget to provide business development funds directly to social enterprises.
The district has also partnered with social finance institutions to build a cumulative social economy revitalization fund of 4.03 billion won ($2.9 million), and operates a low-interest loan program to support the stable growth of social enterprises.
The award holds added significance as the first external evaluation result achieved by Seongdong-gu since the launch of the ninth elected administration, and as outside recognition of the policy capabilities and support systems the district has built in the social economy sector.
"This award is a precious achievement created together with the local community by Seongdong-gu's social enterprises," district mayor Yoo Bo-hwa said. "We will continue to serve as a firm pillar of support so that social economy organizations can grow into key actors solving a wide range of social problems."
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