Gyeonggi Province Launches Youth-Proposed "From Seed to Sharing" Growth Project

Gyeonggi Province is operating the "From Seed to Sharing" growth project for youth with developmental disabilities, borderline intelligence, those who are socially isolated or withdrawn, and out-of-school youth.

This project was proposed by youth and selected by the Gyeonggi-do Youth Participation Committee. It is the first case in which ten organizations, including Gyeonggi-do Youth, Gyeonggi Food Plaza, Gyeonggi-do Food Education Support Center, and Gyeonggi Photo Center, are working together to carry out a policy initiative without a designated budget.

The project will involve 113 youth, including those with developmental disabilities, borderline intelligence, those who are socially isolated or withdrawn, and out-of-school youth. Participants will tend vegetable gardens, learn to cook using their harvest, and document their experiences in photos, writing, and drawings. In addition, they will share the harvested produce with vulnerable members of the local community as part of a sharing initiative.

Gyeonggi Province is launching the growth project "From Seed to Sharing," a policy proposed by teenagers. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

The program is operated in two formats, tailored to each participant group. Gyeonggi Food Plaza will provide vegetable garden experiences and cooking and hygiene education to 17 youth with borderline intelligence, those who are socially isolated or withdrawn, and out-of-school youth, while Suwon Jahye School will run a program utilizing its school garden for 96 youth with developmental disabilities.

Growth record books, featuring participants' portraits and their activities, will be exhibited as follows: at Gyeonggi Food Plaza from October 21 to November 1; in the lobby on the first floor of Gyeonggi Provincial Government from November 2 to November 5; and at Gyeonggi Photo Center from November 6 to November 27.

Seunghee Lee, Head of the Youth Department of Gyeonggi Province, said, "It is highly meaningful that a policy directly proposed by youth has become a real project through the collaboration of multiple organizations. I hope the youth will gain confidence and experience connecting with their communities through the process of planting, growing, and sharing the seeds."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.