Supporting the Growth of the Next Generation, Happy Move
Happy Move is the Hyundai Motor Group’s flagship social contribution program, designed to help university students develop global leadership and learn the value of sharing through a wide range of activities, including academic sessions, volunteer service, and cultural exchange. As of 2025, the program has expanded to 24 countries—including China, India, Türkiye, Ghana, the Czech Republic, and Germany—and has consistently drawn strong participation, with more than 13,000 students involved to date.
This year, under the theme of “Sustainability,” 100 university students from across Korea—representing diverse majors and interests—joined 20 Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) employee mentors for a three-month journey to reflect on sustainability and take meaningful action for the future.
2025 Happy Move Program
Getting Started with Sustainable Practices
The 2025 Happy Move program opened with a kickoff ceremony in July, followed by four days and three nights of immersive activities across Korea. Participants attended expert lectures on major environmental issues and visited key HMG social contribution sites, deepening their learning through real-world case studies.
Their first stop was IONIQ Forest in Uljin, Korea, where Hyundai Motor Company carries out wildfire restoration and biodiversity conservation efforts. Working alongside experts from the Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute, participants conducted post-monitoring of the restored forest ecosystem and took part in hands-on tree-planting activities, experiencing environmental restoration firsthand.
Next, participants took part in field learning at the Miho River in Jincheon, where Hyundai Mobis conducts biodiversity conservation activities. They experienced the meaning of sustainability firsthand by joining an environmental cleanup volunteer activity, collecting debris washed ashore by this summer’s heavy rains. They also visited the Bioenergy Center and hydrogen production facilities in Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do, where they observed the eco-friendly process of producing hydrogen from food waste, gaining direct insight into circular energy systems in action.
Global Experiences that Broaden Perspectives
Happy Move offers university students the opportunity to broaden their perspectives by experiencing the world firsthand through overseas exploration. By encountering diverse cultures and environmental policies, participants reflect on sustainability from a global point of view and gain new insights from eco-friendly practices around the world.
This year’s overseas exploration was divided into two regions—Singapore and Switzerland—based on participants’ areas of interest.
Students who visited Singapore, a model city for sustainable urban development, took part in site visits and employee mentoring sessions coordinated with HMGICS (Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center in Singapore). They also received urban climate resilience training in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In addition, the participants explored landmark sites showcasing Singapore’s sustainability programs rooted in eco-friendly infrastructure, including Marina Barrage, a pioneering urban dam and water management facility, and Gardens by the Bay, a space where city life and nature coexist.
Through these immersive experiences, participants directly engaged with the sustainability values that future cities must pursue, expanding their perspectives on how global communities are shaping a more sustainable tomorrow.
Participants who visited Switzerland—recognized for its advanced practices in clean energy utilization and carbon-neutral urban planning—were able to experience the country’s biodiversity conservation efforts and eco-friendly energy policies firsthand. Through a visit to HHM (Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility), Hyundai’s European hydrogen commercial vehicle sales subsidiary, and tours of hydrogen-related facilities, they gained valuable insights into the eco-friendly energy industry. They also studied biodiversity conservation and climate-change response strategies in collaboration with IUCN. In addition, a visit to the United Nations Headquarters provided opportunities to engage with and learn about international organizations working on global sustainability programs. Beyond these programs, participants observed Switzerland’s efforts in ecosystem conservation by exploring the country’s largest protected wetland, visiting migratory bird sanctuaries, and touring Entlebuch, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve—experiencing firsthand how environmental preservation and sustainable development coexist in practice.
From Practice to Social Contribution Ideas
Over the three-month program, participants were tasked with developing new social contribution ideas for HMG, drawing from both domestic and international learnings. Working in teams, they explored topics such as biodiversity conservation, sustainable urban development, future mobility, and eco-friendly energy, presenting their proposals during the closing ceremony.
After evaluation based on relevance, creativity, and feasibility, HopBump’s “Creating an Ecological Corridor for Narrow-Mouthed Toads Using Speed Bumps” won the Grand Prize. Lee Jung-ah, a member of the winning team, shared: “Working with friends from different majors to develop our idea taught me so much and was truly enjoyable. I plan to keep taking on new challenges based on everything I experienced through Happy Move.”
Excellent Ideas
Grand Prize
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HopBump – Creating an Ecological Corridor for Narrow-Mouthed Toads Using Speed Bumps Addresses roadkill threats to an endangered species to support biodiversity conservation
Top Excellence Award
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Re:Heritage – Preserving Unregistered Cultural Heritage through Digital Archiving Sustains urban identity while promoting the preservation and appreciation of cultural assets
Excellence Awards
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H2GETHER – Operating a Mobile Market Using Hydrogen Trucks and Last-Mile Mobility Addresses food-desert challenges in rural and aging communities
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C:ube – Building Eco-Friendly Bus Stops Using Microalgae
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Reduces carbon emissions in the city of Dangjin while upgrading aging public transportation infrastructure
Growing Together with Happy Move
Happy Move provided in-depth mentoring through HMG employee mentors, covering everything from idea development to personal concerns. Throughout this process, participants received practical guidance and encouragement, encountered diverse perspectives, and gained new direction for their work. As a result, most university participants reported increased knowledge of and interest in environmental issues, as well as meaningful personal growth—reflecting a high level of satisfaction with the program. Mentors also described the experience as a time of mutual growth, sharing that their own sense of belonging and pride was strengthened through working alongside the students. At a time when cultivating global talent for a sustainable future is more important than ever, Happy Move continues to grow together with youth, walking forward toward a better world.
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Through the overseas exploration activities, I was able to see firsthand how environmentally advanced countries are working toward sustainability. It was especially meaningful to visit areas that are normally difficult to access.
‘Happy Move’ participant
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Through the Happy Move program, I was able to go beyond simply learning about environmental issues and directly explore solutions on my own. In the process, I found myself reflecting on the role I can play in society.
