3rd "SDGs Action Support Project for University Students" Opens Applications from June 10 (Wed)

JCOM Co., Ltd. (J:COM, Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President: Yoichi Iwaki) will launch the "SDGs Action Support Project for University Students" (hereinafter referred to as "the Project") on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, as part of its support for next-generation challenges. The project will call for "actions that students want to start or expand to solve regional issues." In its third year, the program evolves into a co-creation format with practitioners active in local communities serving as judges, providing more practical support. The Project, initiated in 2024, aims to support university students tackling regional issues, fostering the further development of their activities and creating new opportunities for challenges. This marks its third year. This year, to provide university students with more practical advice, new collaboration opportunities have been established with local practitioners Mr. Kensuke Saito and Mr. Ryoji Hibino, strengthening the mentoring and support functions. Additionally, during the application period, preliminary seminars will be held, accessible regardless of application status, to provide hints for project planning and support the concretization and enhancement of ideas. The final selection will be held on Sunday, October 18, 2026, in a presentation and poster session format, where the two "Best Action" teams will be decided. Local practitioners and J:COM employees will participate as judges in the poster session for idea exchange. To deepen interaction among students, selection through peer evaluation and participatory co-creation programs will also be implemented. The two "Best Action" teams will receive support utilizing J:COM's assets to implement their ideas. The progress of their activities will be broadcast on "J:COM Channel" (Terrestrial Ch. 11) and distributed on J:COM's official YouTube channel. Through this Project, J:COM aims to support the challenges undertaken by the next generation, who will shape the future, in achieving the SDGs, thereby contributing to the resolution of regional issues and the sustainable growth of local communities. J:COM has been a signatory to the UN SDG Media Compact since December 2020, promoting information dissemination and participation in concrete initiatives for achieving the SDGs. Since 2023, J:COM has been covering SDGs-related research and initiatives by university students, featuring them as "SDGs Week with University Students" on its information programs on "J:COM Channel," thereby disseminating the efforts of students who will support future society in addressing regional issues. Mr. Kensuke Saito, Representative Director, Non-profit Co., Ltd. BUND Representative Director of Non-profit Co., Ltd. BUND, which engages in community development projects in western Kanagawa Prefecture in cooperation with government bodies, local businesses, and regional financial institutions. The company develops businesses to realize new relationships between people and nature by utilizing local resources such as timber and forest spaces. Mr. Ryoji Hibino, Area Renovation Team Manager,omusubi real estate Joined omusubi real estate after working in human resources, manufacturing, and real estate. Participated in initiatives in collaboration with local communities, including the establishment of a BONUS TRACK branch and the renovation of areas under elevated train tracks. Currently, in the Area Renovation Team, he is involved in administrative collaboration regarding vacant houses and real estate planning and development that leverages regional characteristics. For details, please visit the project website. Project Name "SDGs Action Support Project for University Students" Application Period Wednesday, June 10, 2026 – Sunday, August 16, 2026, 23:59 Application Theme Actions that students want to start or expand to solve regional issues. Implementation Details J:COM will provide implementation support to the two teams selected as "Best Action" in the final selection. (Total value equivalent to 1 million yen) Eligibility - Affiliation: University students, graduate students, junior college students, vocational school students, 4th and 5th-year students of technical colleges. *Age is not a limiting factor as long as the applicant is enrolled at the time of application and selection. - Application Unit: Group (seminar, circle, voluntary group) or individual. *Applications from groups of multiple members are recommended. - Region for Action Implementation: Within Japan. - Must be able to participate in the final selection (scheduled for Sunday, October 18, in Tokyo) in person. *Travel expenses for participants will be covered (with a limit, up to 3 people per group). - If selected as "Best Action," must be able to implement the supported action in consultation with J:COM by the end of March 2027. - Must be willing to cooperate with interviews from J:COM and other media. Application Method After registering, enter the required information in the application form. URL: https://www.jcom.co.jp/corporate/sustainability/community/co-creation Expected Content of Actions - Possesses unique perspectives and ideas for setting and solving regional issues. - Relevance to J:COM's materiality. - Increased feasibility or potential for development of activities through J:COM's support. - Concrete ideas for desired support and how the support funds will be used. *The actual content will be determined through consultation with us on effective methods. Selection Process (1) Entry: Application form and participation URL for the preliminary seminar (optional, held on Monday, July 6) will be provided. (2) First Screening: Enter necessary information, such as the outline of the action, in the application form (by Sunday, August 16). (3) Second Screening: Submit presentation materials in a dedicated format (PowerPoint, max 10 slides) as data. (4) Final Screening: "Best Action" will be decided through presentations and a poster session (Sunday, October 18).