Japan Well-being Foundation Announces First Cohort of Co-creation Partners for Systemic Change Grant

Japan Well-being Foundation Announces First Cohort of Co-creation Partners for Systemic Change Grant

The Japan Well-being Foundation (Representative Director: Akiko Asai) has announced the selection of three co-creation partners from 93 national applicants for its first 'Systemic Change-Oriented Well-being Co-creation Grant: Toward a Future Created Through Connection'.

Under the foundation's vision of 'creating a future where all living things, including people, society, and the Earth, are in a state of well-being,' this grant supports initiatives that address the structures and relationships behind social issues and produce systemic change through dialogue, collaboration, and co-creation.

About the Japan Well-being Foundation

Established in 2025, the Japan Well-being Foundation promotes activities that connect individuals, communities, and the future across diverse fields such as education, regional development, environment, diversity, human rights, and international cooperation. It defines well-being not just as a concept of happiness, but as 'a state where each person is respected, can exercise their own potential, and live in harmony with others, society, and nature,' aiming to realize a sustainable society through cross-sectoral co-creation.

The Grant Program

The grant program received 93 applications proposing to regenerate connections in various fields. The program aims to support practices that do not merely solve individual problems but face the 'root of the issue' and rethink relationships, values, and social structures themselves.

In addition to document screening, the selection process included dialogue sessions. Through these dialogues, the foundation felt deeply that underneath the desire to improve society lies a wish to 'regain the relationship of living together' rather than 'changing someone.'

Consequently, KitchHike, Inc., NPO Terra Renaissance, and the Japan Well-being Promotion Council were selected as the first co-creation partners.

Representative Director Akiko Asai stated, 'While the number of organizations we could partner with was limited, we hold deep respect for the practices being continued in each region and field.'

Through this grant, the foundation aims to form a community where members learn together and nurture the future. Moving forward, the foundation will proceed with building a community where practices and insights that contribute to social transformation circulate through study groups, hands-on support including fundraising, and sharing outcomes.