Busan is good

A New Beginning for Youth Preparing for Independence! Busan Completes the First Phase of the “Youth Love (LUV) Busan” Project

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The Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) has officially completed the first phase of the “Youth Love (LUV) Busan” Project, which aims to provide youth leaving institutional care with support for their independence. On June 24, 2025, the city announced the successful completion of this phase, which was designed as a public-private partnership for youth empowerment.

The first phase of the project has involved remodeling the living space of a young adult preparing to transition from care. The goal is to provide not only physical improvements to their living conditions but also the emotional support necessary for their self-sufficiency.

The selected beneficiary is a young person who has lived in a small, cramped apartment with a relative. Despite facing challenging conditions such as dampness and limited space, this youth has remained determined to pursue their dreams of becoming a national heritage restoration craftsman. Supported by World Vision, the apartment was completely renovated, offering a new, clean space for the youth to pursue their dreams.

Key Highlights of the Project

• ●Beneficiary Profile:
  A young adult who has aged out of foster care, living with their grandmother in a 30-year-old apartment.
  Despite difficult living conditions, including space constraints and the risk of mold and flooding, the youth has remained motivated to complete their vocational training and secure certification as a heritage restoration craftsman.

• ●Renovation Overview:
  The entire apartment and shared kitchen were refurbished with new furniture and modern fixtures, creating a space that supports both the youth’s professional and personal growth.
  The youth expressed gratitude, stating:

  “I thought I only needed a desk, but this renovation was beyond my imagination. This space is the starting point of my independence, and I feel supported to move forward.”

• ●Collaborating Organizations:

• ○The city of Busan worked with Today’s House, a lifestyle platform, to organize the project and supply necessary furniture.

• ○World Vision provided support for the renovation costs.

• ○Busan’s local community contributed by offering mentoring sessions with Busan Museum curators, helping the youth with career advice on becoming a heritage restoration expert.

• ○Dong-A University provided a laptop to support the youth’s educational pursuits.

Future Plans

The city plans to continue expanding the Youth Love (LUV) Busan project, aiming to support more youth preparing for independence. The second phase of the project will focus on selecting more participants and continuing the cycle of community support and empowerment.

The program’s success has shown the potential for public-private partnerships to create sustainable support systems for youth. The city plans to use this model as a basis for other future projects aimed at improving the quality of life for Busan’s youth.

Mayor Park Heong-joon commented:

“The Youth Love (LUV) Busan project has provided a young person with not just a better living space but with new opportunities to pursue their dreams.
We hope this will become a model for future projects, showing that when we collaborate as a community, we can help youth find their place in the world.
Moving forward, we will continue to create and support policies and initiatives that help youth transform their lives.”