FY2027 Citizen-Proposed Projects — Grants of up to ¥500,000 for civic activities addressing local issues. Start by attending the information session on Thursday, November 5.

Have you ever felt that there was a problem in the area where you live that you wanted to “do something about,” and thought, “I want to start something new”?

However, even when you want to do something yourselves, activities cost money. Kurashiki City has a program called the “Kurashiki City Citizen Project Proposal Program,” which subsidizes part of the expenses incurred by citizen activity groups in their initiatives.

There is a course that even newly established groups can apply for, and a total of 268 projects have been selected since fiscal 2005.

Applications are being accepted through Tuesday, December 8, 2026 for projects to be carried out in fiscal 2027. This article introduces an overview of the program and how to apply, along with insights from staff in Kurashiki City’s Citizen Activities Promotion Division.

What Is the “Kurashiki City Citizen Project Proposal Program”?

The “Kurashiki City Citizen Project Proposal Program” is a program designed to promote community development through collaboration between citizens and the administration, and to address local issues. Kurashiki City subsidizes part of the expenses for public-interest independent projects carried out by citizen activity groups on their own, as well as collaborative projects carried out jointly by citizen activity groups and the city.

The program has been accepting applications annually since fiscal 2005, and is now in its 22nd year in fiscal 2026. To date, 135 groups have carried out a total of 268 projects, including continuing projects.

Four Courses

The Kurashiki City Citizen Project Proposal Program is broadly divided into two categories.

• “Independent Project Division,” for projects undertaken by groups on their own
• “Collaborative Project Division,” for projects undertaken together with the city

Each division is further divided into two courses.

Broadly speaking, groups first start small in the Independent Project Division.
Once they have built up a track record, they can then step up to collaborative projects with the administration.

The total subsidy period for projects is up to 5 years per group.

The New Challenge Course is for groups applying for the first time, and even groups that have just been established can apply.

The Administrative Proposal Course for Fiscal 2027

The Administrative Proposal Course solicits proposals based on themes set by Kurashiki City. For the fiscal 2027 Citizen Project Proposal Program, applications are being accepted for the following three themes.

1. Preventing vacant homes in the community (Building Guidance Division)
2. Developing cycling programs to help citizens establish exercise habits by making use of bicycles (Sports Promotion Division)
3. Increasing the clarity of “my future working in Kurashiki” with the aim of encouraging university students studying in the city to settle here (Planning and Management Office)

Eligible Groups and Projects

Groups and projects applying to the Citizen Project Proposal Program must meet all of the following requirements.

Each group may apply for one project across all courses.

Schedule from Application to Project Launch

One important point is that you must explain your project concept to the program office by November 27, 2026. Since the application documents are submitted afterward, be sure not to focus only on preparing the documents and forget to explain your concept.

Application forms and the application guidelines are available on the Kurashiki City website. The guidelines are also distributed by the Citizen Activities Promotion Division, branch offices, libraries, Life Park Kurashiki, Community Centers, and other locations.

Interview with Staff from Kurashiki City’s Citizen Activities Promotion Division

We spoke with Ando Norio and Azuma Naomi of Kurashiki City’s Citizen Activities Promotion Division, who administer the Citizen Project Proposal Program, about the program and how to apply.

Could you tell us about the Citizen Project Proposal Program?

Ando (titles omitted)

The Citizen Project Proposal Program is a program in which the city subsidizes part of the expenses for collaborative projects carried out jointly by citizen activity groups and the city, as well as public-interest independent projects carried out by citizen activity groups on their own. It aims to promote community development through collaboration between citizens and the administration and to address local issues.

The program began in fiscal 2005, and 268 projects have been selected through this fiscal year.

What kinds of projects have been selected in the past?

Azuma (titles omitted)

Projects selected in recent years have included initiatives addressing environmental issues, such as vacant homes and surveys of microplastic pollution, as well as welfare-related projects, such as creating places for young people who are socially withdrawn.

These are just a few examples.
Applications are welcome for any kind of project, as long as it is not related to religion or politics and is not intended to generate profit.

If applying for the first time, what should we do first?

Ando

Attendance is optional, but we encourage you to start by coming to the project information session, which will be held at the Citizen Activities Center on Thursday, November 5, 2026. At the session, we will explain the Citizen Project Proposal Program and how to apply.

Advance registration is required, so if you wish to attend, please contact the Citizen Activities Promotion Division by Monday, November 2. Details such as how to register are provided in the application guidelines available on the website.

I imagine writing the application will be a major hurdle. Is there any kind of support available?

Ando

It is true that many people say they find it difficult to work out the details of their project or write the application.

So this year, for the first time, we will provide advice on project plans for the Citizen Project Proposal Program and help with preparing applications as part of the “Citizen and Community Activity Consultation Desk,” which will be open for just one day, Friday, November 20, 2026. The consultation desk also offers advice on community activities in general, so please make use of it.

You will also need to visit the Citizen Activities Promotion Division once by November 27 to explain your project concept. You can also ask for advice on how to fill out the application at that time.

Finally, do you have a message for citizens?

Azuma

The Citizen Project Proposal Program subsidizes the activities of groups that take the initiative to address issues close to home for people living in the community. At the same time, although the program takes the form of the administration providing subsidies, I feel it is also a program that supports efforts to resolve issues that are difficult for the administration to solve on its own.

We hope you will lend us your support in making Kurashiki City a better place.

From the Writer

Working on community activities inevitably involves engaging with the administration, but it can be difficult to suddenly ask, “Please work with us.”
That is why I felt the Citizen Project Proposal Program is a well-designed system: you can start small, build a relationship with the administration, and, when appropriate, move on to a collaborative project.

The program office staff are also there to help.

If you have been thinking about doing something for your community, why not start by attending the project information session on Thursday, November 5?

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