Call for Applications: 'Project Future Heritage 2026' - Passing on Local Culture and Nature to Children 100 Years from Now
The National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan is accepting applications for 'Project Future Heritage 2026' until July 20. Selected citizen projects preserving local heritage will receive a certificate and 200,000 yen. Applications will be suspended from 2027 for renewal.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 7, 2026 at 18:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 7, 2026 at 10:00
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 00:34 (326h 33m after Collected)
The National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo / President: Miki Sato) honors the activities of citizens working to protect and pass on local cultural and natural heritage, registering them as 'Project Future Heritage'.
To date, 92 'Project Future Heritage' initiatives across 41 prefectures have been registered, covering historical townscapes reflecting regional characteristics, traditional performing arts and festivals, and natural environments. We are starting to accept applications for new project registrations for fiscal year 2026. This initiative has been conducted since 2009 as the 'Future Heritage Movement', which aims to pass on Japan's rich culture and nature to children 100 years from now. Please note that the Future Heritage Movement is scheduled for a renewal, so applications for 'Project Future Heritage' from fiscal year 2027 onwards will be 'suspended' for the time being.
■ Call for 'Project Future Heritage 2026'
Applications will be accepted from April 7 (Tue) to July 20 (Mon), 2026. Activities registered as 'Project Future Heritage' after screening by experts will be awarded a registration certificate and 200,000 yen in activity support funds. We look forward to applications from organizations dedicating their efforts to passing things on to the future, with the desire to pass on local 'treasures' to the children 100 years from now.
Apply for 'Project Future Heritage'
(https://www.unesco.or.jp/activities/isan/heritage-for-the-future-project/apply/)
[Last year, 5 projects were registered ('Project Future Heritage 2025')]
Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture
Dissemination of the historical culture of the blind female itinerant entertainers 'Goze' and preservation of the Gangi machiya (traditional townhouses).
Kasukabe City, Saitama Prefecture
Passing the Akanuma Lion Dance to the future: Transmitting and connecting the cultural performing arts of farming villages.
To date, 92 'Project Future Heritage' initiatives across 41 prefectures have been registered, covering historical townscapes reflecting regional characteristics, traditional performing arts and festivals, and natural environments. We are starting to accept applications for new project registrations for fiscal year 2026. This initiative has been conducted since 2009 as the 'Future Heritage Movement', which aims to pass on Japan's rich culture and nature to children 100 years from now. Please note that the Future Heritage Movement is scheduled for a renewal, so applications for 'Project Future Heritage' from fiscal year 2027 onwards will be 'suspended' for the time being.
■ Call for 'Project Future Heritage 2026'
Applications will be accepted from April 7 (Tue) to July 20 (Mon), 2026. Activities registered as 'Project Future Heritage' after screening by experts will be awarded a registration certificate and 200,000 yen in activity support funds. We look forward to applications from organizations dedicating their efforts to passing things on to the future, with the desire to pass on local 'treasures' to the children 100 years from now.
Apply for 'Project Future Heritage'
(https://www.unesco.or.jp/activities/isan/heritage-for-the-future-project/apply/)
[Last year, 5 projects were registered ('Project Future Heritage 2025')]
Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture
Dissemination of the historical culture of the blind female itinerant entertainers 'Goze' and preservation of the Gangi machiya (traditional townhouses).
Kasukabe City, Saitama Prefecture
Passing the Akanuma Lion Dance to the future: Transmitting and connecting the cultural performing arts of farming villages.