Winner of the Grand Prize at the Youth Co:Lab Social Innovation Challenge Japan 2025!
Our company participated in the Youth Co:Lab Social Innovation Challenge Japan 2025 Past Winners Grand Prix Demo Day held on November 20th, and won the Grand Prize.
This competition is organized by Youth Co:Lab, a joint venture between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Citi Foundation in the Asia-Pacific region, and is a "Social Innovation Challenge" aimed at young entrepreneurs working on businesses aimed at achieving the SDGs.
This year's seventh competition, which began in 2019, was held as a special event exclusively for past winners.In 2020, weIt has received the CVC Special Award and Scalability Award.
About UNDP
The United Nations Development Programme is an organisation that works to find solutions to poverty, economic inequality, climate change and other issues.
YOUTH CO:LAB
This program, co-hosted by UNDP and the Citi Foundation and launched in the Asia-Pacific region, is gaining attention as a youth empowerment program that aims to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs by encouraging young people to demonstrate leadership, bring about social innovation, and foster entrepreneurship.
With the World Initiative
We connect schools both in Japan and overseas online to provide active learning lessons where students can discuss social issues. With a track record of interacting with students from over 60 countries, we create an environment where children from all over the world can think about the future and "learn together."
We are developing a business that aims to "connect schools around the world online, provide education to everyone, and realize a peaceful and diverse world without war."
Introduction of participating companies
Seven winning teams were selected through a rigorous screening process at the competition, and they presented their business plans in a pitch format. Here are some of the business plans from the participating companies.
・Dora Japan Co., Ltd.
AI in emerging countries x human resource development and employment support
He proposed a co-creation model that would simultaneously solve the human resources issues of both Africa and Japan, where development is expected.
・Social Innovation Japan General Incorporated Association
Building the future starts with water supply
A co-creation platform was proposed where people could check and post the locations of water supply spots.
・YOMY Co., Ltd.
YOMY! is an online school that develops communication skills through picture books and dialogue.
A new form of education was proposed, combining reading with online lessons, which can help children develop their ability to express themselves.
Business plans were presented by companies working to achieve the SDGs from various perspectives, including the environment, education, and labor.
With The World's SDGs
Our company offers online classes that combine international exchange and allow students from all over the world to think about the SDGs together with students of the same age from all over the world.
Our approach to solving social problems is not to have everyone implement solutions thought up by adults. Our goal is to provide education that connects people from around the world, and allows them to think for themselves about and discuss ways to solve SDGs and social problems together.
We believe that the With The World program, which helps everyone become aware of themselves as global citizens, has the potential to bring innovation to the Japanese educational field in the future.
Media
The Kyodo News Agency covered the event on the day of the tournament.
"Youth Co:Lab Social Innovation Challenge Japan 2025 Past Winners Grand Prix - Demo Day"
https://x.com/UNDPTokyo/status/1998686670518956170
https://www.undp.org/ja/japan/press-releases/ycl2025-demoday
Conclusion
We were able to receive this award thanks to the support and encouragement of everyone who cooperates and supports our efforts on a daily basis.We will continue to work towards the realization of a peaceful world where everyone can have access to education and where diverse people respect and coexist together. We look forward to your continued support of With The World.
