SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – In a significant move to champion environmentally and socially conscious innovation, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, in collaboration with the Seoul Design Foundation, has announced a call for applications for its ‘Sustainable Design Product and Service Support Program.’ The initiative aims to select and empower 20 Seoul-based design enterprises committed to sustainability, offering them comprehensive support to enhance their market presence, both domestically and internationally. The deadline for applications is May 6th.
Sustainable design, the core focus of this program, encompasses products and services meticulously crafted to minimize adverse environmental, social, and economic impacts throughout their lifecycle – from initial conception and manufacturing to consumption and eventual disposal. This initiative underscores Seoul’s proactive stance in fostering a design ecosystem that prioritizes responsible practices and caters to the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly and ethically produced goods.
Building upon the success of its inaugural year in 2023, the 2025 iteration of the program intensifies its focus on facilitating the global expansion of participating small and medium-sized design companies. Beyond providing support for design refinement, exhibition opportunities, and targeted marketing strategies within South Korea, this year’s program features a robust suite of internationalization support mechanisms. These include curated matchmaking sessions with prominent buyers from both domestic and overseas markets, opportunities to showcase their creations at prestigious international design fairs, and facilitated entry into leading global online marketplaces. Notably, selected companies will receive support for participation in renowned events such as Maison&Objet in Paris and facilitated entry into the Amazon global platform.
Eligibility for the program extends to design specialist companies holding valid registration under Article 9 of the Industrial Design Promotion Act, as well as design-driven enterprises – small and medium-sized businesses where design innovation plays a crucial role in their competitiveness and who possess dedicated design personnel. Applicant companies can nominate up to three newly developed products launched within the past three years.
A panel of design experts will evaluate the applications in May, and successful candidates will benefit from a tailored support package until November. This comprehensive assistance includes one-on-one customized consulting to address specific business needs, prominent showcasing at the Seoul Design Week and within the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) Design Store, participation in high-visibility marketing events across popular districts of Seoul, strategic introductions to influential domestic and international buyers, and dedicated support for penetrating overseas markets through platforms like Amazon and exhibitions like Maison&Objet.
Choi In-gyu, Director of Design Policy for the Seoul Metropolitan Government, emphasized the critical importance of sustainable practices in design, stating, "In an era where resource efficiency for future generations is paramount, encompassing waste reduction, material recycling, and energy optimization through smart technologies is no longer optional but essential. Through this program, we aim to invigorate the market for sustainable design products, propagate the inherent value of such designs, and ultimately contribute to making Seoul a truly attractive and inclusive global city."
Interested companies are encouraged to submit their application documents via email by the specified deadline. Further details regarding the application process and program specifics can be accessed through the official announcement published by the Seoul Design Foundation. This initiative signals Seoul's unwavering commitment to fostering a design industry that not only excels in aesthetics and functionality but also champions environmental stewardship and social responsibility on a global scale.
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