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Bringing Our Neighbors Closer: Busan Selects 10 Social Welfare Centers for Specialized Support Programs

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Busan Metropolitan City Mayor Park Heong-joon, together with the Busan Public Agency for Social Service, announced the selection of 10 comprehensive social welfare centers for the Specialized Social Welfare Center Program, which aims to provide customized welfare services to address regional welfare blind spots.

The Specialized Social Welfare Center Program is designed to discover crisis households specific to each region and offer care services. It also supports new vulnerable groups, such as isolated or reclusive youth and youth providing care for family members.

The public contest was held from March 24 to March 28, with 18 institutions applying.

The city evaluated factors such as the effectiveness of proposed programs, feasibility, and alignment with local community characteristics, ultimately selecting 10 centers.

Definitions:

• ●Isolated/Reclusive Youth (ages 18–39): Young individuals with no support system who rarely leave their homes or rooms.

• ●Youth Family Caregivers (ages 9–39): Young people living with and primarily caring for a sick or immobile family member.

The 10 selected centers will implement the following types of specialized programs:

• ●6 centers: Crisis household identification and care support

• ●3 centers: Youth care connection – support for isolated/reclusive youth

• ●1 center: Youth care connection – support for youth family caregivers

Each center will organize activities reflecting regional characteristics. They will:

• ●Form community outreach teams

• ●Enhance capabilities to identify crisis households

• ●Provide customized care services

• ●Operate self-help groups for reclusive youth and youth caregivers

• ●Establish support networks for youth in need

The city will continue to support the Public Agency for Social Service and social welfare centers as community hubs that connect residents with support systems.

Efforts will focus on creating a sustainable care model where any resident can receive help when needed.

Through these efforts, Busan aims to further develop its Youth Care Connection Program, enhance the provision of systematic social services, and strengthen community ties with local welfare centers.

Meanwhile, Busan also runs a permanent intake center for the Youth Care Connection Program, in collaboration with the Busan Public Agency for Social Service, to identify isolated youth and youth family caregivers and provide customized services.

Jeong Tae-gi, Director General of the Social Welfare Bureau, stated:

“Through this program, we will closely address blind spots in the welfare system, thoroughly support vulnerable groups, and proactively respond to emerging welfare needs.
We are committed to building a solid community-based protection system tailored to Busan’s realities.”

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Appendix 1 – Program Overview

Contest Overview

• ●Application Period: March 24–28

• ●Total Budget: KRW 97.5 million

• ○City budget: KRW 50 million

• ○Busan Public Agency for Social Service: KRW 47.5 million

• ●Selected Centers: 10

Selected Institutions by Project Type

Program Type	Institution	Description
Type 1: Crisis Household Identification & Care	Jung-gu Social Welfare Center	“Heart Solidarity” – Support network to reduce social isolation
	Gamman Social Welfare Center (Nam-gu)	“Hello Gamman Market” – Neighborhood-based crisis support network
	Deokcheon Social Welfare Center (Buk-gu)	“Madangbal Network” – Public-private project for crisis household identification
	Hwamyung Social Welfare Center (Buk-gu)	“Hwamyung Connection” – Strengthening local care networks
	Unbong Social Welfare Center (Haeundae-gu)	“Oiso Guardian Team” – Discover and support vulnerable groups
	Banyeo Social Welfare Center (Haeundae-gu)	“Together Connection” – Enhance care function for local crisis households

Program Type	Institution	Description
Type 2: Youth Care Connection (Isolated Youth)	Seo-gu Social Welfare Center	“Come Out” – Support network for daily recovery of isolated youth
	Dong-gu Social Welfare Center	“You Mean Something, Season 2” – Escape isolation and counseling support
	Busanjin-gu Social Welfare Center	“Youth Switch ON” – Recovery program and local network linkages

Program Type	Institution	Description
Type 3: Youth Care Connection (Family Caregivers)	Saha-gu Social Welfare Center	“Growing Together” – Care services, cultural programs, and self-help groups

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Appendix 2 – Youth Care Connection Program Promotion Materials