[March 10, 2024] Seoul Launches ‘ODA Support Project’ Competition: “Directly Identifying Development Needs in Developing Countries”
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on March 10 that it will hold the “Seoul ODA Challenge,” an open call aimed at discovering and implementing Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects. The city will accept online applications from cities in developing countries (as defined by the OECD Development Assistance Committee) until April 5, and will __select three finalist cities to receive up to 300 million KRW (approximately 250,000 USD) in project funding financed by the city’s own budget. This marks the first time in South Korea that a local government has independently launched a public competition to identify ODA project needs.
Based on Seoul’s experience with rapid, compressed urban growth, the city has been carrying out international development cooperation projects to help developing cities address various urban challenges. Unlike traditional approaches, where Seoul participated in ODA projects commissioned by national agencies or multilateral development banks, the Seoul ODA Challenge is distinctive in that the city is directly investing its budget to identify and respond to demands from__ developing cities seeking urban solutions.
The city will assess proposals based on the appropriateness of project plans, effectiveness, and sustainability, and will announce the selected cities in April. After conducting on-site assessments in May and June, Seoul will select implementing agencies in July or August, aiming to launch the main projects by September.
For each selected project, domestic consulting firms will be engaged to provide support in areas such as urban planning, capacity-building for public officials, policy consulting, preliminary feasibility studies for major infrastructure, and pilot projects. In addition, domestic consulting teams will work with the Seoul International Development Cooperation Agency (SUSA), which will offer policy advice and support follow-up project linkages.
Lee Hae-woo, Director of the Seoul Economic Policy Office, stated, “Through the Seoul ODA Challenge, we aim to contribute to solving urban issues in developing countries and to establish Seoul’s position as a global city of solidarity that supports vulnerable populations around the world. This initiative will also help create a foundation for domestic companies to expand into promising developing markets.”
Media Outlet: Segye Ilbo (https://www.segye.com/newsView/20240310509477)
Reporter: Lee Kyu-hee
