Hometown Love Donation Program: A New Path of Solidarity and Innovation in Korea’s Era of Regional Decline
The moon seen from a rural home. There aren’t many people left in the countryside, and the Hometown Love Donation Program was introduced as one way to address this challenge.(Photo by Milly) What Is the Hometown Love Donation Program? The Hometown Love Donation Program is a system that began in Korea in 2023. It allows individuals to donate to a region other than the one they currently live in. For example, even if I live in Seoul, I can make a donation to Gangwon Province if I feel connected to that region. Those who donate receive tax deductions and can receive local specialty products or thank-you gifts within a certain percentage of their donation amount. In other words, even if someone has moved away from their hometown, they can still support the region with their resources and care — and receive tax benefits and local gifts in return. It is a system designed to enable people to invest in places that matter to them. Why This Program ...