Business and Nonprofit Leaders Collaborate to Create an Inclusive, Community-Based Society Where Children and the Future Inspire Hope:

World in You Starts the 4th Term of Nonprofit Governance and Board Training

Tokyo, Japan and online: In February 2025, World in You announced the start of the fourth term of the Board Fellow Program to encourage cross-sector collaboration between private companies and non-profit organizations and develop future social impact leaders. The theme of the program this year is "Creating an Inclusive, Community-Based Society Where Children and the Future Inspire Hope."

The Board Fellow Program is a six-month, practice-based online program where business leaders and nonprofit executives engage in strategic dialogue and hands-on collaboration around the management of social impact initiatives. Through direct interaction and joint problem-solving, participants enhance their leadership capabilities while gaining insight into mission-driven organizational strategy.

Addressing complex social issues and building an inclusive society—where individuals of diverse backgrounds and identities can thrive—requires collective action across sectors. The program brings together nonprofit leaders with deep on-the-ground expertise and professionals from various industries. Through simulated board meetings and structured discussions, participants co-create new approaches and frameworks that generate greater social value and impact.

This year, three nonprofit organizations that focus on "Creating an Inclusive, Community-Based Society Where Children and the Future Inspire Hope" participate.

• Okinawa Youth Support Center Chura-Yui, based in Okinawa, is dedicated to creating safe, supportive spaces for socially isolated children and youth.
• Kosodate Order-Made Support Comomo, operating in Aomori, promotes customized childcare solutions to support happier and more empowered parenting.
• Charity Santa, a nationwide organization, brings joy and hope to children through its “Santa Project” and broader initiatives aimed at supporting children’s well-being and future.

Joining these nonprofit entities are 17 participants from the private sector, spanning business leaders responsible for management and sustainability, accountants, and individuals associated with nonprofit organizations and universities.

The Board Fellow Program distinguishes itself by going beyond traditional volunteer activities. Participants learn about the "governance of nonprofit organizations addressing social issues" and actively contribute in a pseudo outside board of director capacity to address real management and societal challenges faced by the organizations. The program aims to foster enduring collaborative relationships across organizations and sectors, with instances where participating business leaders have transitioned into officers or advisors for nonprofit organizations.

World in You, in addition to the Board Fellow Program, regularly hosts the interview series "World in You × Org," and featured the three participating nonprofits in the Board Fellow Program as well. Archived articles and videos are available here.

Highlights from the In-Person Kickoff Event Held on April 29

◆ About the participating nonprofits:

• Okinawa Youth Support Center Chura-Yui

Based in Okinawa, they are working toward a society where the dignity of every individual is respected and recognized. Partnering with children and young people, their efforts focus on three key areas: advancing child and youth advocacy, addressing social isolation, and creating opportunities for diverse and inclusive forms of play.

• Kosodate Order-Made Support Comomo

They place great value on rebuilding child-rearing communities, creating environments that ensure children’s healthy development, fostering adults who are thoughtful, empathetic, and intellectually curious about children, and strengthening connections with the local community.
They operate a range of family support initiatives in Aomori, including the training of childcare helpers and providing practical assistance—such as household support—for families during pregnancy, postpartum, and early child-rearing stages. Their programs include “Manaviva,” a peer-based learning and support group for sharing parenting experiences and concerns, and “Asobiba,” an outdoor play and community-building space where parents and children can connect and enjoy time together.

• Charity Santa

With the vision of creating a society where adults come together in support of children, they strive to leave children across Japan with lasting memories of being truly loved.

◆ About the participants:

In addition to the above non-profit organizations, the following are the participants from various sectors including business, academia, and social.

◆Alumni

◆ Expert Pro Bono:

◆ Message from the participating nonprofits:

Okinawa Youth Support Center Chura-Yui

Churayui has been providing safe and welcoming spaces for children and young people in Okinawa who struggle with social participation due to issues such as school absenteeism and social withdrawal (hikikomori). The organization began its activities in 2007 as a voluntary group led mainly by parents of those directly affected, and was officially established as a certified NPO in 2010.

Given the relatively low household income in Okinawa, Churayui has prioritized offering free access to these support spaces. In 2013, we proposed and launched a program in collaboration with the City of Naha to support children from welfare-recipient families who were not attending school. This became Okinawa’s first publicly funded, privately operated support center of its kind. The initiative later served as a model for the Cabinet Office’s “Emergency Support Program for Children in Poverty in Okinawa” and informed policy proposals to both the national and prefectural governments.

Today, Churayui continues its mission through nighttime drop-in spaces for high school-aged youth and young adults as a means of preventing isolation, as well as through the operation of “Ashitane Works,” a program that co-creates work opportunities with young people. Our activities aim to empower children and youth to actively participate in society on their own terms.

Kosodate Order-Made Support Comomo

As we enter our 18th year, Kosodate Order-Made Support Comomo continues to support families through the everyday journey from pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum to parenting and eventually returning to work—with the hope that every family can spend these moments with joy and a smile.

Over the years, we have witnessed the evolving needs of parents and children. In order to respond to these changes effectively, we recognize the importance of external collaboration as well as strengthening our organizational structure and management foundation.

Through our participation in the program alongside members of World in You and other partner organizations, we aim to explore new approaches to parenting support and build a community where families are truly supported by the whole region.

Charity Santa

As we mark the 10th anniversary of becoming a certified NPO, we find ourselves in a period of significant change—expanding our operations and welcoming new members to our team. This moment has prompted us to reflect deeply on who we are as an organization and how we can continue to create and return value to society.

We are looking forward to engaging in meaningful, long-term discussions—not limited to a single year or short-term perspective—with people from diverse sectors. Through these dialogues, we hope to reimagine our role and contribution as we move into the next stage of our growth.

For more information on the Board Fellow Program:
Please contact info@worldinyou.org if you are interested in programs on nonprofit boards, governance, and cross-sector collaboration to solve social issues.

About Us:
World in You cultivates leaders, organizations, and communities that co-create across boundaries to better society. We have provided leadership development programs to 200+ mission-driven organizations, 500+ leaders from the business and social sectors, and students.
Book “Governance of non-profit organizations” (2020, Eiji Press)