Dalseo-gu wins top prize at youth-friendly award for 2nd consecutive year

Dalseo-gu in Daegu announced Monday that it won the grand prize at the 9th Youth-Friendly Constitutional Award during the 2026 Youth Day ceremony held Wednesday at the National Assembly members' hall.

The win marks the second consecutive year the district has been recognized as an outstanding youth-friendly local government, and its third grand prize overall since its first win in 2020.

The Youth-Friendly Constitutional Award is organized by Youth and Future, a nonprofit association under the jurisdiction of the National Assembly Secretariat. It evaluates local governments comprehensively on youth-friendliness across youth policy, communication and participation, and support for youth activities.

Dalseo-gu was recognized for actively pursuing youth-tailored policies across a broad range of areas — employment (operating a youth startup support center and subsidizing certification exam fees), housing and childcare (supplying youth happy housing, providing monthly rent support and birth congratulatory grants), and culture and the arts (hosting youth flea markets and supporting young artists).

The district has also established its "2026 Dalseo-gu Youth Policy Implementation Plan," under which it is pursuing 60 youth projects worth a combined 24.6 billion won ($18.4 million).

This year the district is pushing a range of new initiatives — including AI skills training for youth, a youth life-enrichment program in arts and physical education, and a startup experience pop-up store — to build a more youth-friendly environment.

In addition, the district is running "2026 Dalseo Youth Week" in September to mark Youth Day, actively supporting exchange and growth among young residents.

"Winning the grand prize at the Youth-Friendly Constitutional Award is the fruit of listening closely to the voices of young people on the ground and pursuing tailored policies," Dalseo-gu District Mayor Kim Yong-pan said. "We will continue to look carefully after every aspect of young people's lives and do our utmost to build a 'Happy Dalseo Together' — a place where youth can stay and pursue their dreams."