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[Field Report] Underdogs Action Seminar on "Regional Decline and Population Issues" - Small Business Owners Edition The misty waters of Yong-an Ecological Wetland Park in Iksan, the serene platform of Chunpo Station, and the classical beauty of Mireuk Temple Stone Pagoda. On the SNS of 'Epigram,' a fashion brand by Colorong FnC, these local attractions shine instead of clothing. Their online planning exhibition pages feature unique products such as purple sweet potato confections developed in collaboration with regional specialties. In May of this year, they collaborated with Donghae City to produce a locality magazine for travelers and developed products utilizing local specialties like jam and jelly. Woowa Brothers, which operates Baemin (Delivery the People), partnered with traditional markets in April to introduce regional meal kits. These were developed using representative dishes like bulgogi beef and kimchi stew in collaboration with Bucheon Jung-dong Sarang Market. Through 'Baemin B Mart,' they are expanding online sales channels for regional specialties by directly purchasing regional agricultural, livestock, and fishery products worth 120 billion won annually. In March, they achieved the feat of selling 7,000 bags of rice from Goheung-gun, South Jeolla Province in just 10 days. ◇ Corporations Partnering with Local Communities - The Answer Lies in the Region Sangha Farm, located in Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do, is a rural experience-themed theme park created through collaboration between Maeil Dairy and local farmers. Since opening in April 2016, Sangha Farm attracts 200,000 to 300,000 visitors annually, with a cumulative 1.4 million visitors over the past eight years. Out of 34 billion won in sales, 7.5 billion won goes toward purchasing regional agricultural and livestock products, creating a virtuous cycle between the region and corporations. "Corporations find local communities attractive. Collaboration with small business owners is becoming part of corporate profit models. Since no corporation can survive if cities and commercial areas collapse, companies pursuing region-based businesses are emerging," said Professor Mo Jong-rin from Yonsei University's Graduate School of International Studies at the Underdogs Action Seminar held on the 4th. Professor Mo emphasized that when corporations operate regional creative spaces, they can not only practice ESG management but also create new business models. He noted, "Just as Maeil Dairy and Gochang farmers created Sangha Farm, furniture companies can open woodworking studios in timber source regions to develop innovative furniture designs, and food companies can cooperate with local farmers to operate cooking experience programs to coexist with their communities." ◇ Solving Regional Problems - Corporations and Government Work Together Min Mun-hee, head of the Korea Social Value Assessment, emphasized the role of small business owners from an ESG management perspective, stating, "The success of small business owner-related projects depends on how accurately the needs of the target are identified." She cited Emart's 'No Brand Coexistence Store' as a prime example. The No Brand Coexistence Store operates within traditional markets to increase foot traffic and determines sales items in consultation with market merchant associations. Since opening the first store at Danggin Fish Market in South Chungcheong Province in August 2016, market sales increased by 131% over two years. Min pointed out that "existing small business owner support often takes the form of education in specific areas such as marketing training. However, what traditional market small business owners truly need due to time constraints is not education but increased customer traffic." The government is also promoting a 300 billion won-scale 'Innovation Small Business Owner Investment-Linked Support Project' to nurture entrepreneurial small business owners. This provides support of up to 200 million won for up to three times the investment received by small business owners from investors. Lee Chung-soo, a civil servant at the Small and Medium Venture Business Administration's Small Business Owner Policy Department, introduced entrepreneurial small business owner cultivation policies, stating, "We will actively seek business directions and support methods." The venue announced survey results on the most needed resources from approximately 100 small business owners and regional entrepreneurs. The top priority identified was 'funding for business operations and investment,' followed by 'management guidance for business growth,' 'business specialist collaborators,' and 'continuous exchange through entrepreneur communities.' Meanwhile, Underdogs, which organized this event, is a company that educates entrepreneurs and startups based on data-driven job and startup education curricula. Since its establishment in 2015, it has produced 18,000 entrepreneurs and conducts startup education, ESG consulting, and impact measurement and research projects with 175 partners. From October this year, it has opened 'Action Seminars' for ESG business managers to discuss topics including multiculturalism, seniors, and small business owners. Woo Young-seung, head of Underdogs' Business Planning Division, stated, "Small business owners are no longer subjects requiring protection but protagonists in solving regional community problems. By gathering with various stakeholders to discuss how to address social issues including regional decline and population problems, we will create 'collective impact.'" By Kim Kyuri, The Better Future Reporter