Youth-Proposed Policy "From Seed to Sharing" Growth Project Launches
Gyeonggi Province is operating the "From Seed to Sharing Growth Project" targeting youth with developmental disabilities, borderline intellectual functioning, isolation, social withdrawal, and those out of school.
This project is a policy proposed by youth and selected by the Gyeonggi Youth Participation Committee, marking the first case implemented through collaboration between youth and 10 institutions including Gyeonggi Food Plaza, Gyeonggi Food Life Education Support Center, and Gyeonggi Photography Center, without budgetary appropriation.
A total of 113 youth with developmental disabilities, borderline intellectual functioning, isolation, social withdrawal, and those out of school participate in the project. Participants will cultivate vegetable gardens, learn cooking with harvested agricultural products, and record their activities through photographs, writing, and drawings. Sharing activities involving the distribution of harvested agricultural products to vulnerable communities will also continue.
The program operates in two formats tailored to participants' needs. At Gyeonggi Food Plaza, 17 youth with borderline intellectual functioning, isolation, social withdrawal, and those out of school will receive garden experience and cooking and hygiene education. At Suwon Jahye School, 96 youth with developmental disabilities will participate in programs utilizing the school's vegetable garden.
The growth record books containing portraits and activity photos of participating youth are scheduled to be exhibited at △Gyeonggi Food Plaza (October 21–November 1) △Gyeonggi Provincial Government Building 1st Floor Lobby (November 2–5) △Gyeonggi Photography Center (November 6–27).
Lee Seung-hee, Director of the Youth Division at Gyeonggi Province, stated, "It is highly meaningful that a policy directly proposed by youth has been realized as an actual project through collaboration among multiple institutions," and added, "Through the entire process of planting, nurturing, and sharing seeds, I hope these young people gain confidence and experience connection with their local community."