On April 29, under the guidance of the National Student Financial Aid Administration Center of the Ministry of Education, a symposium to launch the "Evergreen Plan" project was held in Beijing. The project is jointly initiated by the Beijing KE Holdings Inc. Public Welfare Foundation and the China Foundation for Rural Development. Representatives from education authorities, donor organizations, initiating bodies, and multiple universities attended the forum to discuss how to alleviate the challenges faced by recent graduates from economically disadvantaged families during their transition period.
Focusing on the Needs of Disadvantaged Graduates The number of graduates from China's regular higher education institutions in 2026 is projected to reach 12.7 million, setting another historical record. "Stabilizing employment" has become a key societal focus. Students from low-income families, facing the reality of living expenses and relatively weak family support during the period from graduation to entering the workforce, must carefully budget every expense. The "Evergreen Plan" specifically targets this employment transition phase, providing a 3,000-yuan settlement and living subsidy to eligible recent graduates from financially constrained families.
The initiative originated from the personal philanthropic donation plan announced in April 2025 by Mr. Peng Yongdong, Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO of KE Holdings Inc. Mr. Peng donated 9 million shares of company stock, with 50% of the post-tax funds designated to support rental and living expenses for groups including recent graduates. The "Evergreen Plan" is one of the concrete projects under the "Graduate Support" component of this donation direction.
The pilot phase of the project will be implemented in Beijing. Starting May 11, partner universities will begin accepting applications from potential beneficiaries. The first round of funding is expected to be disbursed to students' personal accounts in early July.
A New Exploration in Funding Support Ms. Wang Jun, Deputy Director of the National Student Financial Aid Administration Center, stated that the "Evergreen Plan" represents a beneficial exploration of social forces participating in supporting graduates during their transition and serves as an important supplement to current student aid efforts. She commented that the plan has developed a model of "government guidance, social collaboration, and university implementation," providing a significant demonstration for improving the involvement of social forces in student financial aid.
"Evergreen is a plant that remains verdant throughout the seasons, symbolizing resilience and hope," shared Ms. Jia Shengping, Vice President of KE Holdings Inc. and Executive Chairman of the Beijing KE Holdings Inc. Public Welfare Foundation, explaining the original intent behind launching the plan. She expressed the hope of providing tangible support to recent graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds during their initial stages in the city, helping them settle in smoothly, aiding cities in retaining more talented young people, and stimulating greater potential and vitality in urban areas and communities.
Mr. Chen Hongtao, Secretary-General of the China Foundation for Rural Development, stated in his address that this initiative aligns with national strategies for rural revitalization and responds to the call in the Central Government's No. 1 Document to "enhance the effectiveness of industrial and employment assistance." Helping a disadvantaged graduate successfully enter the workforce ignites hope for a family and adds strength to society. Efforts will continue to gather support from all sectors to develop a replicable and scalable new model for social force participation in employment support.
During the symposium, teachers responsible for financial aid and career services at universities in Beijing, drawing on frontline experience, analyzed the practical challenges faced by disadvantaged graduates. Some teachers noted that these students encounter obstacles such as financial pressures limiting their job search efforts, information barriers, and skill gaps. The high cost of living in major cities can also influence their employment choices. A university representative expressed the hope that society would pay more attention to the needs of disadvantaged graduates during this transitional period.
The "Evergreen Plan" emphasizes procedural rigor in its design. After an initial review by universities and a secondary review by the project team, funds will be disbursed to students' personal accounts through their institutions. The project will also establish a follow-up mechanism to inform future optimizations. Looking ahead, the "Evergreen Plan" has the potential to expand its scope and benefit a larger number of disadvantaged graduates.
The step from campus to career is a significant one for young people. How steadily this step is taken affects individual professional development and the hopes of countless families. The value of the "Evergreen Plan" lies not only in using financial aid as a bridge to alleviate immediate practical problems for disadvantaged graduates while conveying societal care, but also in exploring effective pathways for social forces to participate in youth employment support. This extends the chain of assistance from campus to the workplace, connecting the classroom to society.
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