Beyond 'Wanting to Visit Again': NPO SET Begins Year-Long Youth-Region Engagement in Rikuzentakata, Kuzumaki, and Noda, Iwate
NPO SET has launched a project in Rikuzentakata, Kuzumaki, and Noda Village, Iwate Prefecture, where university students and local residents engage year-round. Aiming to move beyond one-off volunteering or tourism, the initiative fosters deep connections by having students work alongside locals in traditional arts and primary industries.
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- 📰 Published: May 21, 2026 at 19:00
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Why do university students who visit once return time and time again? We are addressing this question through practice in the three regions of Rikuzentakata, Kuzumaki, and Noda.
Not merely tourism or one-off volunteerism; these youth are joining local events, standing in the fields of primary industries, and striving to create something alongside the people they meet there. Such youth are beginning to emerge in these three regions of Iwate Prefecture.
■ Why 'Continuous Involvement' Matters Now
Population decline in rural areas is not just a numbers problem, but a crisis of losing 'places where people connect.' One-off experiences, while valuable in the moment, rarely result in 'lasting relationships' that remain in the region. SET aims to move students beyond the sentiment of 'wanting to visit again' to becoming active members of the community. We are putting this concept into practice in three regions—Rikuzentakata, Kuzumaki, and Noda—each with its own unique culture and industry.
■ Project Overview
NPO SET has begun activities in these three regions of Iwate, connecting students with local residents throughout the year. Since April, we have collaborated with local communities to finalize how student teams engage, support systems for local events, and initiatives to revitalize the area through increased youth participation.
■ What 'Enduring Ties' Create
In this project, students deepen their understanding of the region through activities such as inheriting traditional culture and participating in primary industries. Based on their insights, they implement action plans alongside local residents. This provides students with life-changing involvement, while the region gains new connections and potential future leaders. SET believes that the feeling of 'wanting to keep being involved' is something nurtured over time between people, not by systems or mechanisms.
While starting in these three regions this year, SET envisions expanding this initiative to even more areas in the future.
This practice, beginning in Rikuzentakata, Kuzumaki, and Noda, continues to question the form of a relationship where 'the region and the people grow together,' which lies beyond merely 'inviting people to the region.' For interest in this project, participation inquiries, or media requests, please feel free to contact NPO SET.
We will continue to implement activities that benefit the region while exploring the most suitable form for each area.
Not merely tourism or one-off volunteerism; these youth are joining local events, standing in the fields of primary industries, and striving to create something alongside the people they meet there. Such youth are beginning to emerge in these three regions of Iwate Prefecture.
■ Why 'Continuous Involvement' Matters Now
Population decline in rural areas is not just a numbers problem, but a crisis of losing 'places where people connect.' One-off experiences, while valuable in the moment, rarely result in 'lasting relationships' that remain in the region. SET aims to move students beyond the sentiment of 'wanting to visit again' to becoming active members of the community. We are putting this concept into practice in three regions—Rikuzentakata, Kuzumaki, and Noda—each with its own unique culture and industry.
■ Project Overview
NPO SET has begun activities in these three regions of Iwate, connecting students with local residents throughout the year. Since April, we have collaborated with local communities to finalize how student teams engage, support systems for local events, and initiatives to revitalize the area through increased youth participation.
■ What 'Enduring Ties' Create
In this project, students deepen their understanding of the region through activities such as inheriting traditional culture and participating in primary industries. Based on their insights, they implement action plans alongside local residents. This provides students with life-changing involvement, while the region gains new connections and potential future leaders. SET believes that the feeling of 'wanting to keep being involved' is something nurtured over time between people, not by systems or mechanisms.
While starting in these three regions this year, SET envisions expanding this initiative to even more areas in the future.
This practice, beginning in Rikuzentakata, Kuzumaki, and Noda, continues to question the form of a relationship where 'the region and the people grow together,' which lies beyond merely 'inviting people to the region.' For interest in this project, participation inquiries, or media requests, please feel free to contact NPO SET.
We will continue to implement activities that benefit the region while exploring the most suitable form for each area.
FAQ
認定NPO法人SETが岩手県内の3地域で開始した活動の内容は何ですか？
大学生が年間を通じて陸前高田市、葛巻町、野田村の地域活動や一次産業の現場に参画し、住民と共に地域づくりを行う活動です。
この活動の主な目的は何ですか？
一過性の訪問やボランティアを超えて、若者が地域の一員として関わり続け、「地域と人が育ち合う」関係性を構築することを目指しています。
認定NPO法人SETはどのような団体ですか？
2011年の東日本大震災以降、岩手県を中心に若者と住民が学び合う仕組みづくりを行っている団体です。2024年度は年間5,000人以上が参加しています。
SETの活動実績にはどのようなものがありますか？
修学旅行民泊や大学生・社会人向けプログラム、地域コミュニティづくりを展開しており、過去に内閣総理大臣賞を2度受賞しています。
活動の拠点となる地域はどこですか？
岩手県内の陸前高田市、葛巻町、野田村の3地域です。