Koriyama City in Fukushima Prefecture is running a crowdfunding campaign using furusato nozei (the Koriyama City Furusato Entrepreneur Support Project) to support social entrepreneurs tackling social and regional issues. It is a subsidy scheme in which donations are collected from people who sympathize with the cause and used as funds to help entrepreneurs raise capital.
The campaign seeks donations for "Jimoruba," run by a company selected for the city's "Social Entrepreneur Acceleration Support Program." It is a regional co-creation platform that publishes, as projects, the issues and challenges faced by local companies, municipalities and shopping streets, and lets young people who live away from Koriyama take part while continuing their present lives.
Through social media posts, event management, product planning and more, young people can use their own interests and skills to stay involved with Koriyama. The goal is 1 million yen, and Koriyama City return gifts are available for donors (residents of Koriyama City can show their support without receiving a return gift).
Key points
- A scheme in which furusato nozei donations directly become funds for a local social entrepreneur
- Young people living away can take part in solving their hometown's issues without changing where they live
- Linked with the city's "Social Entrepreneur Acceleration Support Program," in which the city supports entrepreneurs side by side
Why we are paying attention to this initiative
It is not easy for young people who left their hometowns for school or work to stay connected to the region. "Jimoruba" is an attempt to increase "relationship population," people who are involved without relocating, by having them take part in concrete projects.
Another feature is that furusato nozei can be used not just to choose return gifts but as a way to support a social entrepreneur you sympathize with. It is also a useful reference in international cooperation as a way of turning donors' sympathy into funds.
Editor's comment
In international cooperation too, how to create systems that let people be involved even from far away is a major theme. I felt that the idea behind "Jimoruba," taking part in hometown projects online, could also be applied to activities that connect overseas partners with young people in Japan.
Whether you have ties to Koriyama or are simply interested in new ways for young people to engage with their regions, please take a look at the project page. It may also prompt you to think about how you use furusato nozei.