Govt seeks cooperative models to fill rural service gaps

The government is launching a search for cooperative models among social solidarity economy organizations to fill service gaps in rural areas that lack basic lifestyle services. The initiative will support projects in which social enterprises, social farms and similar organizations form consortiums to deliver services tailored to local residents.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said Thursday it will accept applications for the "Rural Social Solidarity Economy Service Cooperative Model" project from Thursday through Aug. 14.

The project aims to identify cooperative models that combine the operational capacity of social enterprises, pre-certified social enterprises, village enterprises, self-reliance enterprises and social ventures with resident-run service communities and social farms to deliver economic and social services needed in rural areas.

The competition covers three categories: lifestyle-oriented social services, employment linkages for vulnerable groups, and the establishment of local circular economies. The ministry plans to select up to three consortiums and provide 10 million won ($6,780) in project funding per consortium. Areas where a basic rural income program is already in effect will receive preferential consideration during selection.

Organizations wishing to participate should consult the public notices posted on the Social Agriculture Portal and the Social Enterprise Portal, complete an application form and submit it to the Korea Rural Community Corporation. The corporation will then assist with consortium formation and conduct a project plan evaluation before selecting the final participants.

Based on outstanding cases identified through the competition, the ministry plans to provide consulting support for developing locally tailored collaboration and business models, and to continue building a cooperative network among rural social solidarity economy organizations.

Jeon Han-young, director general of the ministry's Rural Policy Bureau, said the government would "create new competitiveness in rural services through cooperation among social solidarity economy organizations." He added that the ministry would "identify diverse cooperative models bringing together social farms, service communities and social enterprises to expand the economic and social services that residents can actually feel."