In celebration of the United Nations-designated "International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026)," Incheon Metropolitan City has launched a pioneering community volunteer model that brings together multicultural families and local residents.
On July 4, the city held the opening ceremony for the "Eoullim Garden (Da-jeong-da-gam)" project at the Soraesan weekend farm in Namdong-gu. This initiative, organized jointly by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Incheon City, and the Incheon Volunteer Center, serves as the final stop in the national "10 Key Volunteer Theme Relay," a 10-week campaign spanning various municipalities across Korea.
A Platform for Cultural Exchange and Solidarity
The "Eoullim Garden" project is designed as more than just a volunteer activity; it is a "living" social program aimed at supporting the stable settlement of multicultural families and immigrants while bridging the gap between diverse community members.
Participants work together to cultivate crops, sharing their respective agricultural and culinary traditions in the process. A key feature of the program is the periodic harvest-sharing activity, where participants use the produce grown in the garden to prepare multicultural dishes, which are then distributed to vulnerable members of the community.
City officials anticipate that these interactions will significantly lower cultural barriers, foster intergenerational communication, and enhance the sense of belonging for multicultural families, ultimately contributing to a more cohesive and resilient society.
Aligning with Global Volunteerism
The year 2026 has been officially proclaimed by the UN as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development. This global initiative recognizes volunteerism as a powerful engine for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing the importance of creating inclusive environments where every individual—regardless of background—can contribute to their community.
During the event, Vice Minister of the Interior and Safety Kim Min-jae emphasized the government's commitment to the newly revised Volunteer Service Act. "In line with the spirit of the revised law, which marks a significant update after 21 years, we are dedicated to building a citizen-led volunteer ecosystem and expanding sustainable participation bases," Kim stated.
Towards a Sustainable Future
Shin Seung-yeol, Head of the Planning and Coordination Office of Incheon City, highlighted the project's vision, noting, "The Eoullim Garden is a space where diverse cultures and generations naturally intertwine. We hope the spirit of community and the value of sharing cultivated here will serve as a sustainable model that extends beyond Incheon to the rest of the nation".
Incheon City plans to continue developing life-integrated volunteer programs tailored to local needs and social changes. By strengthening public-private partnerships, the city aims to bolster social solidarity and solidify its status as an inclusive, "hospitable city" that embraces diversity as a core strength of its community fabric.
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