Jungnang-gu expands resident participation and community ties through 'Sarangnet 2.0'

Jungnang-gu is developing a "Sarangnet 2.0" plan to transform its Jungnang Donghang Sarangnet into a welfare platform that fosters lasting relationships among residents — going beyond simply connecting those in need with those willing to help.

Jungnang Donghang Sarangnet is a district welfare platform that links residents who need assistance with those who want to provide it, while consolidating various local welfare projects and private resources in one place to encourage community participation. As of late September, the number of participants had reached 31,670 — more than double the 15,537 recorded last year.

To ensure that connections between residents endure beyond the initial match, the district is this year placing particular emphasis on Jungnang Donghang Neighbor Connect, a resident-driven initiative that pairs community members with socially isolated households for regular check-ins and ongoing conversation.

Alongside the neighbor-pairing effort, the district runs the Jungnang Donghang Academy in two tracks — a basic course and a special course — to help residents better understand and engage with local welfare resources. The basic course takes participants on visits to welfare organizations in the area to learn about the platform's values and the neighbor-pairing program; the first session was held Sept. 16, two sessions had been completed by Oct. 8, and a third is scheduled for Oct. 21 at Myeongmok Comprehensive Welfare Center. The special course, set for November, will cover topics including how to practice sharing and volunteering, voice-phishing prevention, and safe management of retirement assets.

The district also held a Jungnang Donghang Sarangnet development advisory meeting on Sept. 17 at the district office's planning situation room, with external welfare experts and relevant civil servants in attendance. Participants discussed ways to broaden resident participation and strengthen cooperation among local welfare resources and various community stakeholders.

Drawing on the expert recommendations from that meeting, the district will flesh out a medium- and long-term development roadmap for Jungnang Donghang Sarangnet. It plans to use resident participation data to gain a more systematic understanding of local welfare needs and resources, and to identify a wider range of activities in which residents can take part directly.

"I hope Jungnang Donghang Sarangnet will grow into a welfare platform where connections between residents continue long after the initial link is made — not just a conduit for matching people with resources," District Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi said. "We will consistently create opportunities for residents to understand local welfare resources and take part in sharing and volunteering."