- Providing preparatory planning and consulting support to address key urban challenges in developing cities

- Establishing a foundation for follow-up full-scale projects linked to external financing sources such as Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs)


2. Eligibility
2.1 Eligible Applicants: Local governments and equivalent public entities in countries classified as ODA recipients under the OECD DAC criteria
2.2 Mandatory Requirement: The proposed project must have received a recommendation from, or undergone prior consultation with, an MDB.

- As this program is a development consulting initiative premised on follow-up project linkage, all applications must have undergone prior consultation with a Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) and received an official recommendation from the MDB regarding the project content.


3. Eligible Projects
3.1 Projects that utilize the SMG’s best practices and policies to address urban challenges

- Applicants are encouraged to refer to the Seoul Policy Archive and the official English website of the SMG.

- Site link:

∙ www.seoulsolution.kr

∙ https://english.seoul.go.kr/?SSid=101_01

∙ https://news.seoul.go.kr/economy/archives/570875

∙ https://www.susa.or.kr/default/company/company01.php?sub=01
3.2 Projects with clear potential for linkage to follow-up financing upon completion of the development consulting phase


4. Required Documents
4.1 Project Application Form (Attachment 1)
4.2 Official application letter signed by the Mayor or an equivalent authorized official
4.3 Documentation confirming MDB’s prior consultation and recommendation (e.g. recommendation letter)
4.4 Additional reference materials to support understanding of the proposed project


5. Application Method
5.1 Application Period: February 4 – March 4, 2026, 18:00 (KST)
5.2 Submission Method: Email submission to SeoulODA@seoul.go.kr
- Email subject line: 2026 Seoul ODA Challenge (Development Consulting Track) / City Name / Project Title


6. Implementation Schedule and Selection Process
6.1 Tentative Schedule Program Announcement (4th Feb)

Application Submission (by 4th Mar)

Project Selection (Mar.)

Field Survey (Apr.)

Consultant Selection (May)

Project Implementation (Jun.–Dec.)

Note: The schedule is subject to change depending on project selection results and local conditions.
6.2 Selection Process

- Review of submitted applications (eligibility screening and quantitative evaluation)

- Project Selection Committee meeting (qualitative evaluation)

- Selection of priority negotiation cities

- Final project confirmation through field survey and detailed scope definition


7. Additional Notes

- Submitted applications will not be returned.

- Incomplete applications may be excluded from the evaluation process.

- Projects in which the applicant city has received Seoul ODA support in the same or similar sector within the past ten years may be subject to score deductions.

- The SMG may request additional documents or information as necessary.

- Depending on budget availability, project feasibility, and the results of internal review and field surveys, the scope and type of the proposed project may be adjusted or modified as necessary.


Appendix 1. Application Form
Appendix 2. Evaluation Criteria


Please refer to the attached file for more details.