#community revitalization #Youth Engagement #NPO SET

The Transformative Journey of NPO SET

On March 5, 2026, NPO SET, led by Shunsuke Mitsui, was awarded a Special Award in the Community Revitalization Awards for its outstanding initiatives in fostering community development in Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture, Japan. The awards are organized by 47 local newspapers and Kyodo News, recognizing both organizations and individuals committed to regional revitalization and crisis management.

Building Connections Between Youth and Community

NPO SET's story began in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, when student volunteers flocked to Rikuzentakata for restoration efforts. Recognizing the importance of lasting relationships, SET developed programs that encouraged ongoing engagement between urban youth and local residents. Today, their initiatives encompass:

• - Local experiences through accommodation for school trips,
• - Projects allowing university students to challenge the local landscape,
• - Collaborative efforts with community members to build cooperative projects.

These initiatives have nurtured what is known as a