Future Blueprint for Youth -Work & Life Design- in Sanda

To relieve the 'vague anxiety' that young people feel about work, marriage, and childcare, and to support them in specifically envisioning their own future lifestyle—with this intention, NPO Hito Connect Hyogo, in collaboration with Sanda City, will hold an experiential event targeting youth in their 20s and 30s called 'Future Blueprint for Youth -Work & Life Design- in Sanda' (Nickname: Sanda Mirai Lab), starting in August 2026. There will be absolutely no evaluations, recruitment, or solicitation, and anyone—including students, working adults, and those not currently employed—can participate (participation is free).

Sanda Mirai Lab 2026 Flyer Front
Sanda Mirai Lab 2026 Flyer Back

■ Purpose of the Project

As a countermeasure against the declining birthrate, the project aims to help young people resolve vague anxieties they feel regarding work and private life, marriage, and childcare, and to support them in concretely envisioning their future lifestyles.

Additionally, by providing a place where young people gathering from various companies can interact beyond the boundaries of their workplaces, creating new networks is also one of the project's objectives.

NPO Hito Connect Hyogo leverages its expertise in creating psychologically safe spaces and interactive programs to approach the inner selves of youth, an area difficult for public administration alone to reach.

■ Why 'No Evaluation and LEGO®'? — The Uniqueness of This Approach

This project adopts an approach that 'starts from the inside' of young people. LEGO® Serious Play® is a workshop method that visualizes values and true feelings that even the individuals themselves may not have realized while building blocks. It draws out hard-to-express emotions and thoughts about the future by 'moving the hands.' The greatest feature is that it designs a space where anyone can talk about themselves with peace of mind, with no right answers and no evaluations.

Furthermore, the method of involving companies as a 'cheering squad' (supporters) is unique. There are no recruitment or hiring activities whatsoever; corporate representatives sit at the same table as the youth simply as 'working adults in the community who live and work in Sanda,' offering cheers to the stories of the youth. This is a relationship that can only be established because it is a neutral public space where the government serves as the hub.

■ Past Results (FY 2025) — Responses Seen in the 1st Year

This project has been implemented collaboratively by Sanda City and NPO Hito Connect Hyogo since FY 2025. The first year served as a 'demonstration and foundation-building phase,' where young people examined their own values and built a foundation to connect psychologically with the community. Multiple voices from participants indicated that the sense of security in the space and dialogue with others provided an opportunity to deepen self-understanding.

▍An unexpected time to reflect on my own values.
'It was very interesting because I hadn't taken the time to reflect on the values that are important to me. Hearing about the values and lifestyles of other participants was stimulating.'
20s, Company Employee

▍A peaceful space without the pressure of 'having to say the right thing.'
'I thought it would have a stiff atmosphere, but I was able to spend a peaceful time during the group work. I am looking forward to the next time!'
30s, Company Employee

▍Talking with a different generation made me realize my lack of 'personal time.'
'Exchanging opinions with people whose lives aren't centered around childcare made me realize, conversely, that I don't have enough time for myself.'
30s, Raising a Child

▍The biggest takeaway was connecting with people I wouldn't have interacted with otherwise.
'As a meeting place beyond the framework of the workplace, connections were born among the participants.'
20s, Student

■ Evolution in FY 2026 (2nd Year) — From 'Talking' to 'Being Cheered On'

In FY 2026, fueled by the 'heat' generated in the first year, the event will evolve into a step where young people 'put into words' their own direction. Setting the annual theme as 'A place where what you say comes back as support,' local companies, including those from Hokusetsu Sanda Technopark, will receive the voices of the youth and cheer them on, building a new relationship of mutual support.

■ Event Overview
Project Name (Nickname): Future Blueprint for Youth -Work & Life Design- in Sanda (Sanda Mirai Lab)
Session 1: August 8, 2026 (Sat) 13:00-16:00, Sanda City Machizukuri Kyodo Center Multipurpose Hall
Session 2: October 17, 2026 (Sat) 13:00-15:00, Satonone Hall Working Booth
Target: Young people in their 20s-30s (Students and working adults welcome, open to residents inside/outside Sanda City)
Capacity: 20 per session (Lottery if applications exceed capacity)
Fee: Free
Organizer: Sanda City, Comprehensive Policy Department, Migration and Settlement Promotion Division
Planning/Operation: NPO Hito Connect Hyogo
Application Deadlines: Session 1: July 31, 2026 (Fri), Session 2: October 9, 2026 (Fri)
Details/Application: https://lifeassistpro.jp/wld-in-sanda/
Direct Application Form: https://human-connect-hyogo.org/sanda_wld_form/

■ Program Details
▶ Session 1: August 8 (Sat) LEGO® Seri...