[Grant Info] Supporting youth groups active in Tochigi Prefecture with subsidies of up to 100,000 yen and expert advice! Accepting applications for the Mirai Challenge Project! Deadline is Sunday, June 7.

Tochigi Prefecture (Governor: Tomikazu Fukuda) and the Tochigi Mirai Zukuri Foundation (Chairman: Yasuhiro Chigira) will conduct the Mirai Challenge Project to support the initiatives of youth groups active within Tochigi Prefecture. This project supports youth group activities by providing an activity grant of up to 100,000 yen, hands-on support from a "Mentor," and guidance from an "Advisor." The NPO Tochigi Youth Supporters Network (Representative Director: Toshimune Iwai) will act as the secretariat to assist with the project's operation.

1. Eligible Groups
Groups centered around two or more youths aged from high school students up to 29 years old who are residents of Tochigi Prefecture, originally from the prefecture, or commuting to a school or workplace within the prefecture.

2. Number of Selected Groups
- Maximum of 10 groups
- Decided through a selection process

3. Project Implementation Period
From the date of selection (scheduled for Tuesday, June 30) to Saturday, February 28, 2027.
Grants and mentor support will be provided for activities conducted within the above period.

4. Support Provided
(1) Activity Grant
A maximum of 100,000 yen will be provided for activities during the target period.

(2) Support from Mentors and Advisors
One mentor will be assigned per group. The mentor will work closely with the group, providing hands-on support by offering advice and consultation on daily activities. In addition, based on interviews with the group, advisors with specialized knowledge will be dispatched as necessary.

5. Schedule
(1) Application
Please prepare a project proposal for the screening and submit it via email to the Tochigi Mirai Zukuri Foundation (ikusei@tmf.or.jp).
Documents can be downloaded from the button below.
The application must arrive no later than Sunday, June 7.

(2) Screening
① First Round Screening
- Screening will be based on the documents submitted by the groups.
- The results of the first round screening will be announced by Monday, June 15.

② Second Round Screening
A presentation screening regarding the proposed initiatives will be held.
Based on the results of this screening, the groups eligible for the grant will be determined.
The results of the second round screening will be announced by Tuesday, June 30.
- [Date & Time] Saturday, June 27 *Time will be decided and notified later depending on the number of groups.
- [Location] Tochigi Prefectural General Cultural Center, 3rd Floor, Conference Room 1 (1-8 Honcho, Utsunomiya City)

(3) Kick-off Training
A kick-off training session will be held for the purpose of forming a network among the selected groups and sharing the contents of this project.
- [Date & Time] Saturday, July 4, 13:00-17:00
- [Location] Tochigi Prefectural Office, Main Building 6th Floor, Large Conference Room 1 (1-1-6 Komanyu, Utsunomiya City)

(4) Progress Sharing Meeting
A meeting where selected groups gather to share the progress of their activities and any difficulties they are facing.
Details of the implementation will be provided at a later date.

(5) Activity Reporting Meeting
An opportunity for the selected groups to present their project details, achievements, and future initiatives.
- [Date & Time] Saturday, February 20, 2027 *Time will be announced later.
- [Location] Tochigi Prefectural General Cultural Center, Special Conference Room (1-8 Honcho, Utsunomiya City)

6. Participant Voices
"It was truly reassuring to receive neutral advice from an adult perspective in situations where we would have been lost on our own. Instead of dismissing ideas with 'we can't do it,' they thought together with us about 'how we can make it happen,' which allowed us to run all the way to the end!"

"We learned PR methods like press releases that we wouldn't have known on our own, greatly expanding the possibilities of our activities. Our connections with local people and companies increased, and I feel our experience level grew significantly both as a group and individually."

"Seeing students of the same age working hard up close gave us immense vitality. The opportunity to learn about the activities of other groups was very interesting and served as a great stimulus to objectively review our own activities!"

"There was a sense of security having adults to rely on in times of need, not just financial support. They sympathetically consulted with us on everything from event management to emotional aspects, so I highly recommend this to students challenging a big project for the first time."

7. Inquiries / Operational Assistance
[Inquiries]
〒320-8580
Inside Tochigi Prefectural General Cultural Center, 1-8 Honcho, Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture
Tochigi Mirai Zukuri Foundation, Youth Development Division (Contact: Saito)
TEL: 028-643-1005 FAX: 028-650-5284
E-mail: ikusei@tmf.or.jp

[Operational Assistance]
〒320-0862
1-3-4 Nishihara, Utsunomiya City
Specified Nonprofit Corporation Tochigi Youth Supporters Network (Contact: Shinohara)
TEL: 028-612-1575
E-mail: ysn_office@tochi