The City of Incheon, under the leadership of Mayor Park Chan-dae, will host the “3rd Incheon Social Solidarity Economy Fair” on October 2–3, 2026. The event will take place at the 1883 Open Port Square in Jemulpo-gu, marking the first gathering since the official promulgation of the Social Solidarity Economy Framework Act on September 15, 2026.
A Mandate for Regional Development
The fair operates under the theme, “Dominate Incheon! Growing with a Social Solidarity Economy!” Organizers intend to use the platform to share the outcomes of social solidarity economic initiatives and promote their underlying values to the public. According to Incheon City officials, the event is designed to solidify the institutional foundation established by the recent national legislation, fostering a collaborative environment for local enterprises.
The Social Plus Market
A central feature of the fair is the “Social Plus Market,” where approximately 60 social solidarity economy enterprises will display and sell their products. This initiative is intended to provide citizens with direct access to these goods and services, helping to build consumer trust and create more stable sales channels for participating companies.
Fostering Professional Networks
Parallel to the public market, the city will host a “Performance Sharing Session.” This segment serves as a dedicated space for businesses to exchange experiences, share operational data, and expand their professional networks. By facilitating these connections, the city aims to foster a more integrated ecosystem for social enterprises within the region.
Anticipated Attendance and Economic Vision
Incheon City anticipates that approximately 6,000 people, including citizens, corporate representatives, and industry experts, will attend the two-day event. The city expects the fair to serve as a catalyst for increasing public understanding of the sector and strengthening the bonds between the various stakeholders involved in the social economy.
Kim Jun-seong, the Director of the Economic Bureau of Incheon, stated that the fair marks the beginning of a concerted effort to realize social values within the local community through cooperation. He added that the city remains committed to supporting the social solidarity economy to ensure it continues to contribute to local economic revitalization and the resolution of regional issues.
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