To meet the challenges of a declining population, over-urbanization and development imbalances between rural and urban areas, in January 2019 the Executive Yuan approved the National Strategic Plan for Regional Revitalization, with the goal of stimulating the development of regional industries by building a complete supply ecosystem from production and manufacturing through processing, distribution, marketing and branding. The plan has already helped to cultivate numerous success stories across various regions and industries. To give the policy added impetus, in 2020 the Executive Yuan approved a plan to accelerate the promotion of regional revitalization for the period 2021-2025, allocating a budget of NT$6 billion (US$203.2 million) to more effectively integrate inter-departmental resources. By improving overall resource use efficiency and encouraging more young Taiwanese to return and stay in their hometowns and villages to pursue their goals, significant progress will be made toward achieving balanced regional development.
Major strategies
■ Diversify proposal submission channels: In addition to using existing local government channels, encourage young people and groups with business concepts that are sustainable and autonomously operated for the common good of their communities to submit proposals through youth empowerment work stations or regional guidance centers.
■ Establish youth empowerment work stations: Build support systems by providing material incentives to local individuals or grassroots enterprises with experience in regional rejuvenation projects, thereby offering mentorship to young people who have moved back home and helping them pursue activities that promote regional rejuvenation.
■ Repurpose and revitalize public spaces: Subsidize local governments to repurpose and revitalize public buildings and spaces to provide young people and groups with spaces for face-to-face interaction as a means to promote regional rejuvenation activities and operations.
■ Create revitalization incubation platforms: Establish revitalization platforms, such as Nantou County's Chung Hsing New Village startup incubator for young entrepreneurs built on regenerated unused land. A professional operating team assists groups interested in investing in regional revitalization projects to develop a local presence, and provides mentorship, fundraising and rewards, as well as assistance bridging foreign and domestic resources, to promote collaboration across different fields.