Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Jeonbuk International Development Cooperation Center (Director Baek Sook-hee) has established the Gijigae Program to support local companies' participation in international development cooperation projects, and is recruiting companies to participate in the program until March 26.

Recently, as budgets for private-sector cooperation projects in the field of international development cooperation have expanded and the role of private companies has grown, opportunities for companies with technological and operational capabilities to participate have also increased. However, many local companies face difficulties participating due to lack of project information, insufficient experience in planning ODA projects, and the absence of local networks and specialist personnel.

In response to this demand, the Jeonbuk International Development Cooperation Center has launched the Gijigae Program as the "2026 Corporate Cooperation Project Participation Support Program." "Gijigae" is an acronym derived from the initial letters of "Strengthening Corporate Support for Participation in Development Cooperation."

The program runs from March to August and provides integrated support for the full process of identifying, planning, and participating in ODA projects for companies and support institutions based in Jeonbuk, as well as prospective entrepreneurs. Companies selected through proposal review will receive support for the costs of field surveys conducted with experts.

The training program begins, for companies that first apply, with Phase 1: an informational session introducing ways to participate in KOICA's private-sector cooperation programs (CTS, IBS, procurement, etc.). Phase 2 consists of capacity assessment and tailored expert-linked consulting. Phase 3 includes professional training such as PDM and proposal-writing workshops. After these stages and a review, the final selected companies will receive expert matching to conduct field surveys and support practical commercialization.

Director Baek Sook-hee said, "The technologies and experience held by local companies can be fully utilized in the field of international development cooperation. Through this program, we will actively support Jeonbuk companies to gain momentum in participating in development cooperation projects and to advance into the global market."

For more information, please see the notices on the Jeonbuk International Development Cooperation Center blog(https://blog.naver.com/jbidcc). Inquiries: 063-270-4960.