Reports and Networking of 14 Civic Groups in Kanagawa on Local Spaces and Satoyama Restoration: Event to Learn About Neighborhood Issues in Tsunashima, Yokohama, on May 27 (Wed)

Co-op Pal-system Kanagawa (Headquarters: Kohoku-ku, Yokohama; President: Junko Fujita) will hold the "26th Civic Activity Support Program Report and Networking Meeting" on Wednesday, May 27, from 10:00 to 12:30 at the Yokohama Kohoku Ward Cultural Center Mizuki Hall. Fourteen out of the nineteen groups receiving grants in fiscal 2025 are scheduled to participate to report their annual achievements, understand each other's challenges, and create opportunities for collaboration.

Over 100 Million Yen Granted to 494 Groups Over 26 Years

The "Civic Activity Support Program" aims to financially assist the development of activities and projects run by civic groups within the prefecture. To utilize the surplus generated by Pal-system Kanagawa's business for social contribution, the program started in 2000 and has granted a total of 101,916,500 yen to 494 groups cumulative.

In fiscal 2025, the "Civic Activity Support Grant" was awarded to 16 organizations addressing various local challenges, from creating safe spaces for children, persons with disabilities, and individuals facing social difficulties, to environmental conservation through agriculture and satoyama restoration, as well as peace activities aiming for the abolition of nuclear weapons. In addition, three organizations funded through donations raised from members' "Support Donation Campaigns" will join to report their annual activities.

The challenges faced by each organization vary in terms of target populations, methods, and active regions. After listening to each report, a networking session will be set up to enable groups to share solutions for similar issues, learn from different perspectives, and explore potential collaborations.

The report and networking event is free for anyone in the community to attend. It provides an opportunity for participants to become aware of local issues that were previously invisible and join the circle of mutual support.

Summary of the Civic Activity Support Program Report & Networking Meeting

[Date & Time] Wednesday, May 27, 2026, 10:00–12:30 (Doors open at 9:45) [Venue] Yokohama Kohoku Ward Cultural Center Mizuki Hall (4F & 5F Shin-Tsunashima Square, 1-9-10 Tsunashima-higashi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa) [Admission & Registration] Free / No registration required [Organizer] Co-op Pal-system Kanagawa [Reporting Groups] 14 civic groups active in various fields supporting local residents, including disaster prevention, creating play spaces, support for people with disabilities, low-income earners, childcare, nuclear abolition, and satoyama restoration.

Pal-system Kanagawa will continue to support voluntary civic activities to ensure everyone can live safely in the region, striving to achieve its 2030 vision: "Creating a community where everyone recognizes each other and lives together."

Co-op Pal-system Kanagawa Address: Shin-Yokohama Kotsu Bldg., 3-18-16 Shin-Yokohama, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama; President: Junko Fujita Capital (Contribution): 11.98 billion yen; Members: 368,000; Total Business Volume: 57.02 billion yen (as of the end of March 2025) HP: https://www.palsystem-kanagawa.coop/

Pal-system Co-operative Union Address: Lacuaz Higashi-Shinjuku, 2-2-6 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Atsuyuki Shibusawa 13 Members / Unified Business System Members Total Business Volume: 260.42 billion yen / Total Members: 1.762 million (as of the end of March 2025) HP: https://www.pal-system.co.jp/