Incheon Selected for Interior Ministry’s Social Solidarity Economy Innovation Project
Ganghwa-gun’s “Circular Economy Development Project” has been selected for the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s project to “Discover and Spread Social Solidarity Economy (SSE) Innovation Models” for 2026, securing 500 million won in national funding. The project aims to address complex regional challenges such as population decline and care needs through social solidarity economy approaches. Centered in Sinmun-ri, Ganghwa-eup, the initiative will bring together local workshops, small businesses, and social economy organizations to create a circular economic structure, called Local Loop, encompassing production, branding, distribution, public procurement, and reinvestment. Including local funds, a total of 1 billion won will be invested in the first year of the project.
Incheon Begins ‘Safe Home’ Improvements for Vulnerable Households
Incheon Metropolitan City has begun implementing the “Safe Home for Environment Health” project for 32 vulnerable households, including low-income families and elderly individuals living alone. The project provides support ranging from residential environment diagnostics to the replacement of materials with eco-friendly alternatives to reduce exposure to indoor pollutants such as mold and fine dust. The selected households include 23 in Seo-gu and nine in Ongjin-gun. Even after home improvements are completed, the city plans to conduct continuous monitoring and follow-up management to enhance policy effectiveness.
Incheon to Launch Micro-Manufacturer Support Program
Incheon Metropolitan City is launching the “Support Project for Fostering Small Giants (Micro-Manufacturers) 2026,” to improve working conditions and stabilize business operations for small-scale manufacturers. The program targets manufacturing businesses with fewer than 10 full-time employees and offers customized support in areas such as product development, manufacturing environment improvement, technological innovation, and smart processes. Applicants can select support categories based on their needs. Following application and evaluation, the city plans to select 30 companies, each eligible for support of up to 5 million won.
Public Parking Lot Built in Namdong Industrial Complex to Ease Parking Shortage
A public parking space accommodating 379 units has been built in the Namdong National Industrial Complex, which has long suffered from parking shortages. The facility, located at the Namdong Neighborhood Park site, consists of two basement levels and one above-ground floor, with a total floor area of 11,694 square meters. The city expects the 25 billion won project to help alleviate parking congestion in the industrial complex and revitalize nearby commercial areas. The facility will be handed over to the Incheon Facilities Corporation, with full operations set to begin in August.
Delayed Baengnyeong Power Plant Expansion Project Resumes
Power shortages faced by residents on Baengnyeong Island, the northernmost island in the West Sea, are expected to be resolved to some extent next year. According to the Korea Electric Power Corporation’s Incheon headquarters, the long-delayed expansion of the Baengnyeong Power Plant resumed last month after a four-year delay. Construction is expected to be completed in the first half of next year. Under the plan established in 2020, the plant’s capacity will increase from 15,000 kW to 27,000 kW, enough to supply electricity to an additional 3,000 households. However, the project does not account for additional power demand expected from future developments such as Baengnyeong Airport and its surrounding infrastructure.
Incheon Recruits Youth Supporters for Resource Circulation Initiative
Incheon Metropolitan City will recruit participants for the “2026 Resource Circulation Youth Supporters” program from April 27 to May 22. The initiative is part of a broader effort to build public consensus for expanding resource circulation centers and to generate practical policy ideas. This recruitment is being pursued as a core strategy of the “2026 Resource Circulation Center Expansion and Citizen Awareness Improvement Program.” The city plans to leverage the digital influence and social awareness of the MZ generation to rebrand resource circulation facilities from “undesirable facilities” into “essential infrastructure for the future.”
Sources: https://news.ifm.kr
