Rohto Children's Dream Fund Selects 9 Organizations as 3rd Grant Recipients

Peace Winds Japan (Representative Director: Kensuke Onishi, Headquarters: Jinsekikogen-cho, Hiroshima Prefecture, hereinafter "Peace Winds") and Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Representative Director and President: Hidetoshi Segi, Headquarters: Osaka City) conducted a public call for applications for the 3rd grant recipients of the "Rohto Children's Dream Fund," a grant program targeting organizations working to solve and improve social issues surrounding children. As a result of rigorous screening, 9 organizations were selected from a total of 45 applications.

【Rohto Children's Dream Fund 3rd Grant Recipients】 (in alphabetical order)

◆ General Category (Grant amount: 1 million to 3 million yen)

・General Incorporated Association Katei Kyoiku Kenkyu Kiko (Fukuoka Prefecture, Representative: Hitoko Yoshino)

・General Incorporated Association Kobe Mirai Gakushushitsu (Hyogo Prefecture, Representative: Hiromasa Sasaki)

・Team Franponais (Kanagawa Prefecture, Representative: Manu Shimaoka)

・Specified Non-profit Organization Nakayoshi Gakuen Project (Chiba Prefecture, Representative: Yuichi Nakamura)

◆ Expanded Category (Grant amount: 3 million to 8 million yen)

・Specified Non-profit Organization AYA (Kanagawa Prefecture, Representative: Yuki Nakagawa)

・General Incorporated Association Escorde Noda Sports Club (Osaka Prefecture, Representative: Yu Asahina)

・Specified Non-profit Organization JAM Network (Kanagawa Prefecture, Representative: Ko Murakami)

・General Incorporated Association Japan Financial Education Support Organization (Tokyo, Representatives: Risa Hirai, Nana Abe)

・Certified NPO Free The Children Japan (Tokyo, Representative: Sanae Nakajima)

Poverty, educational disparities, abuse, bullying, isolation – social issues surrounding children are diversifying and becoming more serious. To ensure that environmental factors do not narrow children's dreams and future choices, Peace Winds, with the support of Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., implements this grant program for organizations working to solve and improve these social issues.

For the grant recipient call, two application categories with different grant amounts were established, and applications were solicited nationwide.

In screening the grant recipients, we emphasized ① projects that support children in pursuing their dreams, and evaluated them based on ② analysis of current issues, ③ feasibility and sustainability of goals, ④ unique appeal of the project, and ⑤ appropriateness of the budget plan.

Through this grant program, we aim to eliminate all disparities among children and support a future where they can continue to pursue their dreams.

【Comments from "Rohto Children's Dream Fund" Selection Committee】 (in alphabetical order)

・Aya Abe (Professor, Department of Human and Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University / Director, Center for Child and Youth Poverty Research)

"As a selection committee member for the 'Rohto Children's Dream Fund,' I had the opportunity to see the results of many people considering what they can do to help children realize their dreams.

In Japan, there are many children facing various difficulties such as poverty, disability, and illness. I hope that the earnest wishes of the people condensed in the 'Rohto Children's Dream Fund' will reach these children."

・Daigo Sato (Professor, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, Musashino University)

"This year, we received applications from many organizations, and I strongly felt the passion of those on the ground who are seriously committed to children's futures. At the same time, I was reminded of the difficulty of having to choose within limited resources. All the organizations selected this time have initiatives that combine practical approaches to expand children's potential with sustainability.

I hope that through this fund, each of their challenges will expand further, and opportunities and hope will reach more children. We will continue to support them."

・Miki Takei (Chief Communication Officer, Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)

"This was my first time participating as an evaluation committee member. I would like to thank everyone again for the many applications.

There were many moments when I was deeply moved by the sight of so many organizations sincerely facing the future and potential of each child. Through initiatives that aim to expand the dreams and choices of children in various environments, I reaffirmed their importance.

I hope that this fund will be a force that supports children's futures and expands their hopes."

・Chie Hirao (Director, Fundrex Inc.)

"This fund, born from the desire to support children in pursuing their dreams, has now reached its third year. Each time we screen applications, I am encouraged by the sight of adults facing the difficulties surrounding children with ingenuity and passion.

One of the characteristics of this fund is its flexible use of funds, including indirect costs. In the selection process, I reaffirmed that such user-friendly frameworks are needed for organizations to carry out their activities, and at the same time, we emphasized whether the funds would be used to create sustainable and ripple-effect impact.

I sincerely hope that your activities will be strengthened through this grant and lead to a society where children can freely envision their futures."

・Rie Mishima (Chairperson, Certified NPO Musubie, National Children's Cafeteria Support Center)

"From the many applications, I was able to encounter initiatives that seriously address the future of children, and I express my deep respect for their daily activities. In every project, I felt the desire to carefully support each child based on local circumstances and expand their potential, which greatly encouraged me. In the selection process, in addition to the feasibility, sustainability, and social reach of the projects, we also carefully discussed whether the activities would not overburden the organizations, paying attention to their organizational stage.

I sincerely hope that each of these initiatives will reach children and become a source of hope for their future."

For details on the public call, please refer to the following:

https://peace-winds.org/news-info/51232

【Inquiries/Contact】

"Rohto Children's Dream Fund" Grant Office (Contact: Noda): grant@peace-winds.org

【About Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.】

Rohto Pharmaceutical's purpose is to contribute to the "Well-being" of all individuals and society by delivering health to people worldwide through its products and services. Well-being means being physically and mentally vibrant, and spending every day with a smile at various life stages. This grant aims to help children, whose "Well-being" is greatly influenced by external and environmental factors, to foster their dreams and hopes, and to realize a society where children's smiles blossom.

URL：https://www.rohto.co.jp/

【About Specified Non-profit Organization Peace Winds Japan】

Peace Winds Japan was established in 1996 as an international cooperation NGO to support people facing humanitarian crises or livelihood crises due to natural disasters, conflicts, or poverty both domestically and internationally, and has since operated in 41 countries and regions worldwide. It is widely committed to activities aimed at solving social problems, including child support initiatives both domestically and internationally, such as the "Study Tour (formerly Study in America)" program, which provides children from orphanages and remote islands with opportunities for short-term overseas study, and the "JUMP" program, which dispatches university students to orphanages for accompanying support.

URL：https://peace-winds.org/