[New Program] Empowering Junior and Senior High School Students Under Social Care to 'Envision Their Future': 6-Month Program Inspired by Nordic Folk High Schools Begins | NPO Tenagaiojisan Project

A learning space of "experience x dialogue" for junior and senior high school students under social care to encounter diverse ways of life

NPO Tenagaiojisan Project will launch "Jibun wo Hiraku Kyoshitsu" (Classroom to Open Oneself), a 6-month continuous program for junior and senior high school students living under social care, starting in September 2026. This program aims to help them encounter diverse ways of life, reflect on themselves, and think about their future.

Inspired by "Folk High Schools," a learning environment originating in Northern Europe, this program implements experiential learning centered on dialogue. Each month, experts and creators from various fields will be invited as instructors to conduct workshops and dialogues on themes such as art, body expression, philosophy, and nature. Through these activities, participants will discover their own sensibilities and values, and cultivate the ability to envision their future in their own unique way.

Feature ① | Learning through Folk High School x Dialogue

"Jibun wo Hiraku Kyoshitsu" is based on the philosophy of "Folk High Schools," a learning environment originated in Denmark, Northern Europe.

Instead of evaluation and competition, it values "becoming oneself" and helps participants discover their inner words and feelings through dialogue and interaction with others.

There are not many opportunities to systematically provide such learning to junior and senior high school students in Japan, making this an practice of a new form of education.

Feature ② | Designed for deep engagement over a full day

This program uses the time from 10:00 to 16:00 for each session, allowing participants to deeply engage with one theme. It values insights and changes that go beyond superficial understanding, rather than short-term experiences.

At the beginning, participants share their feelings during check-in, and then a program led by one instructor is conducted thoroughly throughout the day. During meal times, simple cooking is done, and participants spend time together. At the end of the day, a dialogue session is set up for participants to express what they felt and thought.

It is designed for participants to slowly encounter their own feelings and words within a safe and secure relationship.

Jibun wo Hiraku Kyoshitsu

Tenagaiojisan Project WEB site

Feature ③ | Encounters with instructors from diverse fields

In this program, experts and creators active in various fields serve as instructors.

- Yayoi Motozaimoto / Photographer - Chieko Ito / Dancer, Choreographer - Yurika Kato / Model - KOM_I / Artist - Kosuke Takahashi / Inventor - Rei Nagai / Writer - Yugo Yasuda / Calligraphy Artist - Ikuko Yamashita / Botanical Artist - Natsumi Wada / Researcher, Designer, etc.

Through encounters with leading instructors, opportunities are created to experience diverse values and ways of life.

Background | "Lack of experience" narrows career choices

Children living under social care often find it difficult to gain sufficient experiential opportunities tailored to their individual interests and concerns, while daily living support is prioritized.

As a result, the following issues arise: - Few opportunities to meet diverse adults and encounter various ways of life - Limited opportunities to discover one's "likes" and "strengths" - Career choices are made within limited options

This lack of experience also affects their motivation to "want to try" or "want to choose," and their ability to envision their own possibilities.

Changes created by "Jibun wo Hiraku Kyoshitsu"

- Broadens perspectives on career paths and the future by encountering diverse ways of life - Fosters the ability to act on "wanting to try" and develops relationships where others support those challenges - Leads to self-confidence by expressing one's thoughts and ideas

These changes are nurtured through continuous engagement, not just one-off experiences.

Positioning of the project

At NPO Tenagaiojisan Project, we value supporting the future of children and young people under social care not only with material assistance but also with experiences and relationships before they become independent.

- School Project "Jibun wo Hiraku Kyoshitsu": Support for envisioning the future, starting before independence - Beginning Support Project "Utsuwa to Ofuku no Owataikai" (Handover Ceremony for Vessels and Clothes): Support for warm daily necessities at the time of independence - Salon Project "Tsunagari no Ochakai" (Connection Tea Party): Support for a place and relationships after independence - Work Experience Project "Mirai Hakken Program" (Future Discovery Program): Support for broadening future options towards independence - Research Project "Manazashi Lab" (Gaze Lab): Initiatives to explore the ideal form of support based on on-site voices

Details of each project can be found here:

Tenagaiojisan Project Business Introduction Page

Event Outline Name | Jibun wo Hiraku Kyoshitsu Period | September 2026 - February 2027 (6 sessions in total) Dates | 4th Sunday of each month (first session only on September 20th) 10:00 - 16:00 Venue | Kageoka no Ie (4-5-15 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0013) Target | Junior and senior high school students living in children's homes, foster families, etc. Capacity | 15 people Participation Fee | Free

Organizer | Certified NPO Tenagaiojisan Project

Information regarding participation (planned)

- Recruitment start: June 1, 2026