Mura no Mirai is an NGO that began its work in rural southern India in 1993. It started by bringing what the community lacked, such as literacy classes and income-generating activities. Troubled by the way things returned to normal once support ended, it went through a period of trial and error and shifted toward drawing out what communities and people already have.
This led to "Meta-Facilitation," a method that encourages residents to analyze and solve their own issues. Its work has spread from India to Nepal, Senegal and Japan, and it has been involved in many efforts, including building communities of mutual support among women in slums, creating systems that circulate rural resources, and building ways for communities to help each other with child-rearing.
It also runs courses on the method across Japan and offers consulting for organizations and individuals. Its website notes that it received the 7th SDGs Japan Scholarship Iwasa Award in March 2026, and that its certified NPO status runs through July 2026.
Key points
- From bringing what is missing to drawing out what communities already have
- Developed "Meta-Facilitation," a method for residents to analyze and solve their own issues
- A wide range of activities applying the method, from rural villages overseas to child-rearing support in Japan
Why this organization's work stands out
At the heart of its work is an attitude of learning from the field and supporting people to reach answers they are satisfied with, rather than teaching one-sidedly. Creating a method out of its own reflections and sharing it is a useful reference.
A distinctive feature is that ideas refined in overseas development cooperation are also applied to community and child-rearing issues in Japan. With courses and books available, the content can interest people beyond NGO circles.
Editor's comment
This feels like an organization that has kept asking what support really means. The idea of looking at what is already there seems relevant to everyday community building as well.
Information on its activities and courses is gathered on the official website. Please take a look.