Social Innovator Hub (SIH) Call for Participants!
Program Overview
Social Innovator Hub (SIH) is a co-creation type incubation program that connects Japan and developing countries to foster “next generation social innovators” who aim to solve social issues in their respective countries through business.
Organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), participants are invited from Japan and developing countries.
Program Points
(1) Driven program design to solve social issues (2) Utilize “Japan’s strengths” to solve issues in developing countries (3) Practical program focusing on projects (4) Teaching practical business skills Experienced lecturers give lectures on business planning, fundraising, impact evaluation methods, etc. (5) Designing a Diverse Emergent Place Wall-to-wall discussions with participants from four countries with different cultural backgrounds
Program Theme
The primary theme of this program is “to solve problems in developing countries by utilizing Japan’s advanced technologies and advanced issues” through a co-creation process between participants from developing countries and Japan, as well as domestic universities, research institutions, companies, and other related parties.
After delving into the social issues that participants wish to solve, we will consider what kind of approach is appropriate to multiply Japan’s strengths.
Through this program, participants from Japan and collaborating universities, research institutions, companies, and social entrepreneurs will also be able to evolve ideas for solving common Japanese social issues and realize co-creation that will also contribute to the development of the domestic region.
The program will also provide a venue for matching participants with technologies possessed by Japan’s top universities and companies. This year’s program will be based at Tohoku University and will primarily focus on the use of technologies related to the environment and disaster prevention.
Program Contents
For more information, click here.
Program Details
Location: Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture (Tohoku University, etc.) (planned)
Period: August 8, 2024 to September 29, 2024 (tentative)
Implementation method: Hybrid of online and group training
Language: English
cost
▼ Participants from developing countries
Items to be covered: Travel expenses (airfare, travel insurance), accommodation expenses (daily allowance and lodging), and training course fees.
Items not included in the above (domestic transportation to international airports in each country, expenses for obtaining passports, personal computers, etc. to be prepared by the students themselves)
▼Students/International students in Japan
Free of charge: Training fees
Items to be borne by the student: general living expenses such as lodging and meals during group training, transportation, personal computers, etc. to be prepared by the student, etc.
statue
Those who have a clear social issue to solve and a hypothesis on how to approach it.
Those who have a serious enthusiasm for solving social issues in developing countries or in their own country.
Those who have a clear sense of the significance of learning in this program.
Application Requirements
Must be able to attend all days
Must be able to stay in Japan continuously for the duration of the program
Must be able to stay in Japan continuously for the duration of the program Must have a certain level of English proficiency
TOEFL 90 or above / IELTS 6.5 or above / TOEIC 900 or above / equivalent to a master’s degree from an overseas university
This score is a requirement for admission to top universities in the U.S. and Europe, and indicates a level of language proficiency that enables students to understand complex texts and express themselves fluently and naturally.
This score is a requirement for admission to top universities in the U.S. and Europe, and indicates a language level that enables students to understand complex texts and express themselves fluently and naturally. Applicants who already have the above language test score should submit a copy of the score certificate. Applicants who do not have a score will be screened for language ability during the selection process.
Must be able to obtain a passport
Basically, please submit a PDF of your passport along with the documents and video submission for the initial screening. In the unlikely event that you are not able to submit your application in time for the initial screening, please submit it as soon as possible; failure to do so by the end of June will result in rejection.
Application and Selection Schedule
Selection will be made in two steps: documents, video presentation, and personal interview.
The selection criteria are not based on the amount of technical knowledge, but on the passion for solving social issues.
FAQ
What is Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)?
The Japan Development Assistance Agency (JDA) is a centralized agency responsible for Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA), including technical cooperation, grant aid, and grant aid, to help developing countries solve the challenges they face.
What level of knowledge of science and technology is required?
While any level of knowledge of technology is acceptable at the time of participation, the ability to understand technology-related explanations during the technology matching process is required.
Is it mandatory to start a business after the training?
The program does not necessarily require students to become social entrepreneurs, but rather to become active in a wide range of fields, including the establishment of NPOs and entrepreneurship within companies (intrepreneur).
Who is in charge of screening?
The program will be implemented by JICA, which will host the program, Dream Incubator, which will operate the program, and senior entrepreneurs who will be commissioned by JICA.
How many people are participating in the program?
In order to provide intensive support in small groups, we expect 10~20 people (Japanese side: 5~10 people, developing country side: 5~10 people).
Can I participate in a group?
Because the program is designed to foster individual “next-generation social innovators,” it is not open to groups of participants.
Click here to apply for the first round of screening.
Contact Us
For inquiries regarding this matter, please contact
Governance and Peacebuilding Department Planning and Issues Strategic Planning Division
gptpl@jica.go.jp
Handling of Personal Information and Proposals
The purpose of use of personal information collected in this form is to ensure the smooth implementation of the Program and to serve as a reference for the work carried out by JICA. Specifically, JICA will distribute and send out notices, mail magazines, and direct mail regarding events and activities in the Program, information on JICA-related projects, and activities related to business support for the private sector in other organizations. The personal information collected may also be shared with the relevant department within JICA, depending on the content of the information. The information collected in this form will be shared with JICA, the organizer of the program, Dream Incubator Inc.
Disclaimer
Although we take every precaution to ensure safety in the event of natural disasters or other emergencies, we cannot compensate for personal or financial losses incurred while participating in the program. Please purchase your own insurance.
In the event of illness, we will take measures such as referring you to a medical institution, but you will be responsible for any medical expenses incurred.
Please note that program content, lecturers, mentors, etc. are subject to change due to unavoidable circumstances or for the better provision of the program.
Information provided in this program may not be disclosed or used for commercial purposes without the consent of the secretariat.
Thoughts on the Inauguration of SIH
Change your mind, Innovate the future
Social incubation program to connect wisdom and ideas from developing countries and Japan
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has been involved in international cooperation with developing countries for 70 years.
During that time, the world economy has grown remarkably and people’s lives have become more convenient.
On the other hand, beside economic growth, there are people suffering from various social problems such as discrimination, poverty, and lack of education and health care.
The linear consumption of resources leads to the depletion of natural capital, and the effects of climate change caused by industrial activities are returning as a threat to people’s livelihoods.
Therefore, we believe that we need a place for co-creation where people with such a desire can learn, connect, and make changes to create a healthier future for people and the earth from an innovative perspective by recapturing values that could not be measured by conventional development “scales”.
We are looking forward to receiving applications from people from diverse backgrounds with a passion to make a real difference in the world.
Lecture Schedule
Why TOHOKU?
The field for this year’s SIH is Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, located in the Tohoku region of Japan.
Sendai City is an area where awareness of social contribution has been growing in the wake of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
The rate of entrepreneurship is the second highest in Japan. Although it is the largest city in the Tohoku region, it is also known as the “City of Trees” because of its symbolic beautiful and abundant greenery.
The program will be held primarily at Tohoku University, based here in Sendai City.
Tohoku University is known as Japan’s top runner in startup development and internationalization, having been ranked No. 1 in the Times Higher Education Japan University Rankings for four consecutive years.
We support all participants in terms of technology and educational environment.
Mentors/Instructors
TBD
© Source JICA
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