The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) is organising a two-week on-site SDGs training programme in Kitakyushu City (Fukuoka Prefecture) for university undergraduate, graduate and postgraduates students who reside in Japan. We are now calling for a total of 15 participants who wish to become future SDGs leaders, and have an academic background in zero carbon, circular economy, and nature positive approaches. In this training programme, participants will visit SDGs frontrunner businesses and organisations that are pursuing either zero carbon, circular economy and nature positive initiatives mainly in Kitakyushu City, and learn from the ground. Furthermore, the participants will conduct group work to think together with visited local stakeholders about how we can enhance synergistic effects amongst zero carbon, circular economy, and nature positive practices, whilst overcoming challenges.
Eligibility
1. University students (undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate) in Japan, regardless of nationality, who fall into one of the following categories:
- (1) who reside in Kitakyushu City (5 people)
- (2) who are under the JICA Scholarship and residing in the Kyushu region (5 people)
- (3) who reside anywhere in Japan (5 people)
2. Has academic expertise in at least one of the following topics:
- (1) Zero carbon, climate change mitigation, renewable energy
- (2) Circular economy, recycling, marketing
- (3) Nature positive, forestry, biodiversity
3. High English proficiency
4. Able to attend all the following sessions:
- (1) One day (2 hours, date will be set according to the selected participants’ preferences) in mid-August 2025 for pre-briefing session (online)
- (2) Two-week (25 August to 5 September 2025) on-site training programme (in-person only) in Kitakyushu City (Check in PM 24 Aug.)
- (3) Reporting event (One day will be set during late September to December 2025, hybrid)
5. Committed to disseminating your experience through various means such as the following (at least one):
- (1) Disseminate your experience via social media
- (2) Plan and conduct your original reporting session at your university or community
- (3) Write articles, papers, for the public, etc.
6. Has ambition to become future SDGs leaders
Event Details
(Participants are required to arrive in Kitakyushu on 24 August PM time)
IGES Kitakyushu Urban Centre, JICA Kyushu Center, and other visiting companies and places in Kitakyushu City of Fukuoka Prefecture.
(IGES Kitakyushu Urban Centre: International Village Center 3F, 1-1-1, Hirano, Yahatahigashi-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, 805-0062, Japan )
Please fill in the application form from the link below by 22 July.
(IGES will notify the result on 1 August)
https://forms.gle/NshHchDkVR2yiSBJ9
IGES Kitakyushu Urban Centre
International Village Center 3F 1-1-1, Hirano, Yahata-Higashi-Ku, Kitakyushu City, JAPAN 805-0062
Tel: +81-93-681-1563 | Fax: +81-93-681-1564 | E-mail: [email protected]
Person in charge: Shino Horizono, Junko Ota
Programme
(1) Pre-briefing (Online)
Mid-August 2025 (date to be confirmed, about 2 hours)
(2) Two-week field training in Kitakyushu (in-person)
- 24 Aug. (Sun) PM: Check in JICA Kyushu Center’s dormitory. Participants must arrange their own transport at their own expense, although rooms are provided with free of charge by the organizer.
- 25 Aug. (Mon) Introduction
- 26 Aug. (Tue) Kitakyushu Next Generation Energy Park, EV Motors Japan, Hokutaku Co., Ltd.
- 27 Aug. (Wed) Biotope, Shabondama Co., Ltd.
- 28 Aug. (Thur) Kitakyushu Eco Town, Well Create Co., Ltd.
- 29 Aug. (Fri) Lecture on synergy, Group work
- 1 Sep. (Mon) Additional company visits related to zero carbon, circular economy and nature positive initiatives
- 2 Sep. (Tue) Environment Museum, Hiagari incineration plant, beach clean up activity
- 3 Sep. (Wed) Lecture and group work on zero carbon, circular economy and nature positive
- 4 Sep. (Thur) Group presentation by the participants
- 5 Sep. (Fri) Reflection with Lego Serious Play method (Check out JICA Kyushu dormitory)
- One day during late Sep. to Dec. 2025 (TBC): Hybrid reporting event
(3) Post-field training reporting event (Hybrid)
One day (a few hours, date to be confirmed) during late Sep. to Dec. 2025
Participation is free of charge, including the following:
- Accommodation at JICA Kyushu Center (24 Aug. – 5 Sep.) including breakfast
- Cost related to site visits (transportation, visit fee, interpretation, etc.)
The participants are expected to bear the following costs:
- Travel from their place of residence to Kitakyushu (24 Aug.), and travel from Kitakyushu return to your place (5 Sep.)
- Lunch and dinner
- Follow-up on their personal reporting activity (social media, reporting session at your university and community, etc.)
- Health Insurance
- Internet related cost for online meetings and reporting sessions.
- Any other personal items