Busan is good

Busan Metropolitan City Surpasses KRW 3.4 Billion in Hometown Love Donations, Moves Forward with Full-Scale Funded Projects Including the Purchase of “Happiness Sharing Buses” Next Year

내용

□ Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that, in 2025, the city achieved the most significant results since the introduction of the Hometown Love Donation program and, based on the secured funds, will move forward in earnest with the “2026 Hometown Love Fund Projects” aimed at making tangible improvements to citizens’ quality of life.

○ The total amount of Hometown Love Donations surpassed KRW 1 billion in June this year and, through strategic promotional efforts such as expanding return gifts and hosting seasonal events, recently exceeded KRW 3.4 billion. This represents more than a sevenfold increase compared to last year’s total of KRW 455 million and more than a twentyfold increase compared to KRW 155 million raised in 2023, the program’s first year.
○ These achievements are attributed to proactive fundraising strategies, including the discovery of customized return gifts reflecting donor preferences, promotional events offering additional prizes to attract participant interest, and “on-site outreach campaigns” that encouraged participation by directly engaging with citizens.

□ The funds raised will be reviewed by the Hometown Love Fund Management Review Committee and used next year to enhance the welfare of local residents.
○ Major projects focus on supporting socially vulnerable groups, promoting culture, arts, and public health for local residents, and revitalizing local communities, and will be implemented under two categories: general donation-funded projects and designated donation-funded projects.

□ The general donation-funded projects were designed with a focus on areas that deliver high perceived benefits to citizens, particularly support for people with developmental disabilities, vulnerable groups, and public safety, based on extensive public input.
○ Key projects include the Developmentally Disabled Dream Band Project (KRW 20 million), which aims to improve social skills and expand employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities through band activities; Soccer Classes for Individuals with Borderline Intellectual Functioning (KRW 50 million), which operate youth soccer programs and family harmony camps; the Purchase of Happiness Sharing Buses for community welfare centers (KRW 220 million) to replace aging buses; and Support for Volunteer Rest Shelters and the Purchase of Coffee Trucks for Volunteer Centers (KRW 100 million), which provide rest areas and refreshments for volunteers during disasters and large-scale events.

• ●Individuals with Borderline Intellectual Functioning: Those with an IQ of 71–84 who do not fall under the category of intellectual disability (IQ 70 or below) but experience difficulties in daily life due to below-average intelligence.
  ○ Through these projects, the city aims to strengthen safety and welfare for citizens, including socially vulnerable groups who need assistance in daily life and volunteers working at disaster sites.

□ Designated donation-funded projects allow donors to directly select the projects they wish to support. These projects are implemented over a three-year period, with funds raised each year used for projects in the following year.
○ The projects include the Installation of Community Fire Safety Equipment in Fire-Vulnerable Areas (KRW 220 million) and the Restarting Stopped Hearts Project (KRW 257 million), which aims to improve survival rates for emergency patients.

□ Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to former residents of Busan and donors across the country who, even while living far from their hometown, have not forgotten Busan and have sent their warm support.” He added, “As this fund is built on the precious contributions of each and every donor, we will ensure it is used meaningfully to carefully support those in need and to create a warm Busan where citizens are happy.”

□ Meanwhile, anyone can easily participate in the Hometown Love Donation program through the “Gohyang Sarang e-eum” website at https://www.ilovegohyang.go.kr.