Purpose of Research
○With the emphasis on inclusive growth and social innovation, the social economy is attracting attention as a means to respond to many agendas in rural communities, but the current related policies and systems do not seem to be sufficient. It is true that policies to help rural residents' social economy have increased, but no comprehensive and mid- to long-term policy implementation strategy has been established. This study focused on analyzing social economy-related rural policies at the level of the central and local governments, following the 2021 study that investigated and analyzed the operation status and the good practices of social economy organizations in rural areas. The purpose of the study is to prepare a mid- to long-term policy implementation strategy to spread and establish social and economic activities that will promote inclusive growth and social innovation in rural areas.

Research Method
○We reviewed the literature regarding the social economy such as major legal plans established by central government ministries, policy program presentation documents, policy project implementation guidelines, and related ordinances of local governments. As legal plans, Basic Plans for Cooperatives and Basic Plans for Fostering Social Enterprises were examined. The main policies of the central government related to the social economy were village enterprise development projects, self-support projects, agricultural and fishing village revitalization plans announced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (2020), guidelines for various policy projects, and social economy ordinances and financial input.

○The related policies and social economy practices in the fields such as care, basic living services, nested markets of agricultural products, education, the environment, and social farming were analyzed. Guidelines for implementing the policies or related regulations were reviewed.

○A survey was conducted to understand the policy needs based on the experience of workers in rural social economy-related organizations and to know the structure of social economy network organizations at the city and county level and the contents of solidarity and cooperation activities.

(For more information, please refer to the report.)