Jeollanam-do Province is launching its "Happy Companion Activity Support Program for Return-to-Farming, Fishing, and Rural Migrants" in earnest. Introduced for the first time this year, the program aims to support the stable settlement of urban-to-rural migrants and revitalize local communities, with expectations of boosting population inflow and rural vitality.
According to the provincial government on the 4th, the program was initially planned to select five groups, but a total of 17 groups applied, reflecting strong interest and enthusiasm in the field. As a result, the province secured additional funding to select and support 13 groups.
The program supports individuals who have relocated to Jeollanam-do within the past 10 years as returning farmers, fishers, or rural migrants. It enables them to form voluntary groups around shared interests and build connections with the local community through various activities, helping them establish a foundation for settlement.
Participants engage in a range of activities, including acquiring farming skills, cultural and artistic pursuits, and community service, deepening their understanding of and attachment to the region.
A distinctive feature of the program is that up to 30% of each group's members can be local residents, who serve as mentors to help the new arrivals adapt to the community and integrate with existing residents.
The province selected the supported groups in April through an interview screening process that comprehensively evaluated the specificity of activity plans and their potential for development. Each selected group receives 3 million won (approximately $2,200) in activity funding.
"It is most important for returning farmers, fishers, and rural migrants to settle down through continuous exchange within the local community," said Choi Jong-min, head of the Jeollanam-do Population Policy Division. "We will strengthen community-based settlement support policies beyond simple population inflow to breathe new vitality into rural and fishing villages."
