Beyond 'Wanting to Visit Again': NPO SET Begins Year-Long Youth-Region Engagement in Rikuzentakata, Kuzumaki, and Noda, Iwate

Why do university students who visit once return time and time again? We are addressing this question through practice in the three regions of Rikuzentakata, Kuzumaki, and Noda.

Not merely tourism or one-off volunteerism; these youth are joining local events, standing in the fields of primary industries, and striving to create something alongside the people they meet there. Such youth are beginning to emerge in these three regions of Iwate Prefecture.

Why 'Continuous Involvement' Matters Now

Population decline in rural areas is not just a numbers problem, but a crisis of losing 'places where people connect.' One-off experiences, while valuable in the moment, rarely result in 'lasting relationships' that remain in the region. SET aims to move students beyond the sentiment of 'wanting to visit again' to becoming active members of the community. We are putting this concept into practice in three regions—Rikuzentakata, Kuzumaki, and Noda—each with its own unique culture and industry.

Project Overview

NPO SET has begun activities in these three regions of Iwate, connecting students with local residents throughout the year. Since April, we have collaborated with local communities to finalize how student teams engage, support systems for local events, and initiatives to revitalize the area through increased youth participation.

What 'Enduring Ties' Create

In this project, students deepen their understanding of the region through activities such as inheriting traditional culture and participating in primary industries. Based on their insights, they implement action plans alongside local residents. This provides students with life-changing involvement, while the region gains new connections and potential future leaders. SET believes that the feeling of 'wanting to keep being involved' is something nurtured over time between people, not by systems or mechanisms.

While starting in these three regions this year, SET envisions expanding this initiative to even more areas in the future.

This practice, beginning in Rikuzentakata, Kuzumaki, and Noda, continues to question the form of a relationship where 'the region and the people grow together,' which lies beyond merely 'inviting people to the region.' For interest in this project, participation inquiries, or media requests, please feel free to contact NPO SET.

We will continue to implement activities that benefit the region while exploring the most suitable form for each area.