Japan-Netherlands Collaboration Support Program "MONO MAKERS PROGRAM 2026" Begins Accepting Applications on Friday, April 3
NN Life Insurance and Japan Cultural Exchange (JCE) have launched applications for the "MONO MAKERS PROGRAM 2026," which supports young entrepreneurs in traditional Japanese industries by pairing them with Dutch creative talent. The program aims to foster international expansion and innovation through hands-on support, including study tours, until the end of March 2027. An online kickoff event is scheduled for April 16, 2026.
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NN Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (Representative Director and President: Marius Popescu, Head Office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, hereinafter "NN Life") and Japan Cultural Exchange (Representative: Yumiko Nakajo, Head Office: Voorschoten, Netherlands, hereinafter "JCE"), which promotes traditional Japanese culture, crafts, and design based in the Netherlands, will begin accepting applications for the "MONO MAKERS PROGRAM 2026," a Japan-Netherlands collaboration support program for young entrepreneurs in traditional Japanese industries, starting on Friday, April 3. This program is implemented with the aim of developing products tailored to modern lifestyles, exploring sales channels with an eye toward entering the European market, and enhancing brand value by fusing traditional Japanese techniques with Dutch creative talent. Participants will receive hands-on support, including participation in a study tour to the Netherlands, until the end of March 2027.
In addition, prior to the implementation of this program, an online kickoff event will be held on Thursday, April 16.
[Image omitted]
For the traditional Japanese industries facing issues such as a shortage of successors and declining demand, NN Life, as a "Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Supporter," has created opportunities for collaboration connecting the Netherlands and Japan. This year as well, leveraging NN Life's network of SMEs and JCE's expertise in overseas promotion cultivated through "MONO JAPAN," which has been conducting the promotion and dissemination of Japanese-originated products in the Netherlands, we will support international business development and innovation by the next generation of leaders.
■ Application Overview
Please register for the online platform "MONO MAKERS MEET" operated by JCE. On this platform, young entrepreneurs who will lead the future of Japanese manufacturing can meet designers online and find collaboration partners for product development through interaction. Once you have found a collaboration partner and matching is established, please submit your pair application and ideas to this program. Selection will be based on those contents.
The selected pair of Japanese young entrepreneurs and designers will receive support until the end of March 2027, including reporting on their achievements in Japan.
For details, please visit the website.
・MONO MAKERS PROGRAM Website
https://www.monojapan.nl/mono-makers-program-jp
・MONO MAKERS MEET Website
https://monomakersmeet.com/
Those who wish to apply, please proceed to "Pre-register" from "Become a member" on the top page of the MONO MAKERS MEET website to complete the procedure. Please note that the supported language is English only.
【Schedule】
・Application Period: Friday, April 3, 2026, 16:00 - Friday, May 22, 2026
・Selection Announcement: Thursday, June 4, 2026
・Hands-on Support: Mid-June 2026 - End of March 2027
※The program's selection committee will deliberate and consider all applicants and projects. Selected pairs will be announced on our company website and SNS. Please note that we will not provide comments, reviews, or reasons regarding the application to applicants.
【Format】
Online
※Excluding on-site visits to the Netherlands and achievement reporting sessions in Japan.
【Cost】
Free
※Production costs related to product development/improvement in collaboration with designers or exhibitions in Japan, product transportation costs, fixture costs, and transportation expenses within Japan are to be borne by the participants themselves.
■ About the Kickoff Event
With the start of "MONO MAKERS PROGRAM 2026," a kickoff event will be held. We will explain the overview of the program and application requirements, including a lecture on developing overseas sales channels by JCE Representative Yumiko Nakajo, and a talk by Ms. Erika Kojima of Kojima Orimono Co., Ltd., a participating business of the Japan-Netherlands collaboration support program "MONO MAKERS PROGRAM 2025."
【Overview】
・Date and Time: Thursday, April 16, 2026, 19:00 - 20:30 (tentative)
・Method: Online
・Application and Details: https://20260416mmp.peatix.com
・Cost: Free
■ Achievements of MONO MAKERS PROGRAM 2025
A pair consisting of Ms. Erika Kojima of Kojima Orimono Co., Ltd., which handles luxury wallpaper with traditional weaving techniques, and Dutch designer Samira Boon, who explores textiles from an architectural perspective, developed new vertical blinds using wallpaper. In addition, a pair consisting of Mr. Osuke Uebayashi of Kyoto Some-moto Shobi-en (Katsumi Shoten Co., Ltd.), which manufactures and sells wax-resist dyed textiles, and Dutch designer Lena Winterlink developed accordion-type blinds as a new expression of wax-resist dyed textiles. Both new products were unveiled at the Kyoto International Gift Show held on March 11 and 12, 2026.
[Image omitted]
■ About the Operating Organizations
・NN Life Insurance Co., Ltd.
https://www.nnlife.co.jp
A member of the NN Group, which has roots in the Netherlands and boasts a tradition spanning over 175 years. The NN Group is based primarily in Europe and Japan, and operates insurance, pension, banking, and investment businesses across 10 countries. Its name is derived from its origin, "Nationale-Nederlanden." Since starting operations in Japan in 1986 as the first European-born life insurance company, NN Life has provided products and services that protect the "important things" of SMEs as an "SME Supporter" for 40 years. As part of our "Connections that Realize Vision" activities, we support successors and young entrepreneurs who challenge new corporate management and support the future of Japanese SMEs. We provide opportunities to build connections with people and triggers for learning that lead to innovation.
・Japan Cultural Exchange
https://www.japanculturalexchange.nl/
Organizes "MONO JAPAN," an exhibition and sale event for Japanese design and craft products in the Netherlands, and manages the web shop "MONO SHOP." Since the first MONO JAPAN fair was held at the Lloyd Hotel Amsterdam in 2016, a total of 103 brands have exhibited across six exhibitions aiming for overseas sales channel expansion. Not only product sales during the event and meetings with buyers, but many collaborations were also born. Since 2019, it has been operating the artist-in-residence program "MJ AIR" to create collaborations between Japan and the Netherlands, and since 2023, the online platform for Japan-Netherlands creative collaboration "MONO MAKERS MEET."
■ Support
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
In addition, prior to the implementation of this program, an online kickoff event will be held on Thursday, April 16.
[Image omitted]
For the traditional Japanese industries facing issues such as a shortage of successors and declining demand, NN Life, as a "Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Supporter," has created opportunities for collaboration connecting the Netherlands and Japan. This year as well, leveraging NN Life's network of SMEs and JCE's expertise in overseas promotion cultivated through "MONO JAPAN," which has been conducting the promotion and dissemination of Japanese-originated products in the Netherlands, we will support international business development and innovation by the next generation of leaders.
■ Application Overview
Please register for the online platform "MONO MAKERS MEET" operated by JCE. On this platform, young entrepreneurs who will lead the future of Japanese manufacturing can meet designers online and find collaboration partners for product development through interaction. Once you have found a collaboration partner and matching is established, please submit your pair application and ideas to this program. Selection will be based on those contents.
The selected pair of Japanese young entrepreneurs and designers will receive support until the end of March 2027, including reporting on their achievements in Japan.
For details, please visit the website.
・MONO MAKERS PROGRAM Website
https://www.monojapan.nl/mono-makers-program-jp
・MONO MAKERS MEET Website
https://monomakersmeet.com/
Those who wish to apply, please proceed to "Pre-register" from "Become a member" on the top page of the MONO MAKERS MEET website to complete the procedure. Please note that the supported language is English only.
【Schedule】
・Application Period: Friday, April 3, 2026, 16:00 - Friday, May 22, 2026
・Selection Announcement: Thursday, June 4, 2026
・Hands-on Support: Mid-June 2026 - End of March 2027
※The program's selection committee will deliberate and consider all applicants and projects. Selected pairs will be announced on our company website and SNS. Please note that we will not provide comments, reviews, or reasons regarding the application to applicants.
【Format】
Online
※Excluding on-site visits to the Netherlands and achievement reporting sessions in Japan.
【Cost】
Free
※Production costs related to product development/improvement in collaboration with designers or exhibitions in Japan, product transportation costs, fixture costs, and transportation expenses within Japan are to be borne by the participants themselves.
■ About the Kickoff Event
With the start of "MONO MAKERS PROGRAM 2026," a kickoff event will be held. We will explain the overview of the program and application requirements, including a lecture on developing overseas sales channels by JCE Representative Yumiko Nakajo, and a talk by Ms. Erika Kojima of Kojima Orimono Co., Ltd., a participating business of the Japan-Netherlands collaboration support program "MONO MAKERS PROGRAM 2025."
【Overview】
・Date and Time: Thursday, April 16, 2026, 19:00 - 20:30 (tentative)
・Method: Online
・Application and Details: https://20260416mmp.peatix.com
・Cost: Free
■ Achievements of MONO MAKERS PROGRAM 2025
A pair consisting of Ms. Erika Kojima of Kojima Orimono Co., Ltd., which handles luxury wallpaper with traditional weaving techniques, and Dutch designer Samira Boon, who explores textiles from an architectural perspective, developed new vertical blinds using wallpaper. In addition, a pair consisting of Mr. Osuke Uebayashi of Kyoto Some-moto Shobi-en (Katsumi Shoten Co., Ltd.), which manufactures and sells wax-resist dyed textiles, and Dutch designer Lena Winterlink developed accordion-type blinds as a new expression of wax-resist dyed textiles. Both new products were unveiled at the Kyoto International Gift Show held on March 11 and 12, 2026.
[Image omitted]
■ About the Operating Organizations
・NN Life Insurance Co., Ltd.
https://www.nnlife.co.jp
A member of the NN Group, which has roots in the Netherlands and boasts a tradition spanning over 175 years. The NN Group is based primarily in Europe and Japan, and operates insurance, pension, banking, and investment businesses across 10 countries. Its name is derived from its origin, "Nationale-Nederlanden." Since starting operations in Japan in 1986 as the first European-born life insurance company, NN Life has provided products and services that protect the "important things" of SMEs as an "SME Supporter" for 40 years. As part of our "Connections that Realize Vision" activities, we support successors and young entrepreneurs who challenge new corporate management and support the future of Japanese SMEs. We provide opportunities to build connections with people and triggers for learning that lead to innovation.
・Japan Cultural Exchange
https://www.japanculturalexchange.nl/
Organizes "MONO JAPAN," an exhibition and sale event for Japanese design and craft products in the Netherlands, and manages the web shop "MONO SHOP." Since the first MONO JAPAN fair was held at the Lloyd Hotel Amsterdam in 2016, a total of 103 brands have exhibited across six exhibitions aiming for overseas sales channel expansion. Not only product sales during the event and meetings with buyers, but many collaborations were also born. Since 2019, it has been operating the artist-in-residence program "MJ AIR" to create collaborations between Japan and the Netherlands, and since 2023, the online platform for Japan-Netherlands creative collaboration "MONO MAKERS MEET."
■ Support
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands