Labor ministry announces 12 ESG projects by Seongnam agencies

The labor ministry said Monday that nine public institutions in Seongnam will jointly undertake 12 ESG projects in 2026, aiming to expand community-focused social contributions and bolster the local economy.

The Seongnam Public Institution Council was formed to pool the institutions' expertise and resources to address local issues and pursue social value. The nine institutions have jointly pursued local economic revitalization, job creation and social-contribution activities since signing a mutual-growth agreement in December 2020.

One initiative will pair Seongnam-based social solidarity economy enterprises with public institutions at a public-procurement consultation event. The matching program will also connect firms selling products made by people with severe disabilities to public institutions' priority-purchase programs.

Social initiatives include career and employment mentoring for university students who volunteer at local study rooms, as well as an AI practical-exchange network, youth-intern training and volunteer activities. On Sept. 30, seven institutions will clean up the Tancheon riverside in a plogging activity.

Governance work includes exchanges among public audit bodies, an advisory body on conflicts of interest, joint work related to anti-solicitation rules, a data council and an ethics-management project.

Hanguk Sahoejeok Gieop Jinheungwon, which supports the growth of social enterprises and cooperatives, will co-lead one initiative and participate in seven others. "Cooperation among public institutions is an important foundation for creating social value that communities can feel," Jeong Seung-guk, head of the agency, said. "The agency will expand links between public institutions and social enterprises and continue cooperation for shared regional growth."