Youth Co:Lab Social Innovation Challenge Japan 2026: Registration Now Open for Young Social Innovators!

Application deadline: Mon. 16 November 2026

2026年9月1日

Youth Co:Lab banner with blue-to-orange gradient and Japan 2026 text.

Japanese

Registration is now open for Youth Co:Lab Social Innovation Challenge Japan 2026.
We invite young people aged 15 to 35, including high school students, to submit innovative business ideas and ventures that address social challenges and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Through collaboration with multi-sectoral partners, the Challenge aims to nurture the next generation of social entrepreneurs, accelerate progress toward the SDGs, and strengthen the ecosystem that supports youth-led innovation and social impact.

This year, we will offer a diverse range of awards, including the Excellence Award and the Audience Award. In particular, recipients of the Youth Innovation Award (AI & Technology / Disaster Risk Reduction) will have the opportunity to participate in an international event, engage with young innovators from across Asia, and showcase their ideas and innovations on a global stage.
Please see the “Prizes” section for further details.

From solving social challenges to shaping the future of Asia and the world, your journey starts here. We encourage you to submit innovative ideas and business models that contribute to achieving the SDGs.

Social Innovation Challenge Japan 2026 Schedule

First Screening (Document Review)

1 September 2026 (Tue): Registration Opens (Basic Information Submission)
28 September 2026 (Mon): Application Submission Opens (Basic Information and Application Form Submission)
16 November 2026 (Mon), 12:00 noon: Application deadline
Mid-December 2026: Announcement of first-screening results

Final Screening (Video Pitch Review)

Early January 2027: Deadline for submission of pitch videos
Early February 2027: Announcement of results (participants advancing to the Social Innovation Challenge Japan 2026 Demo Day will be selected)

Demo Day (Final Presentation)

Late February 2027: Social Innovation Challenge Japan 2026 Demo Day will be held.

Regional Event (Q4 2027)

An international event will be held in Japan, bringing together young social entrepreneurs and innovators from across Asia, including Viet Nam and the Philippines, to present their businesses and ideas under the themes of “AI & Digital Technologies” and “Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)”.

Prizes

Excellence Award
Youth Challenge Award
Youth Innovation Award (AI & Technology Category)/ (Disaster Risk Reduction Category)
Yachiyo Future Impact Award
UNHCR Award
Audience Award

This year, with the support of a diverse range of partners across sectors, award recipients will be offered various opportunities to accelerate the growth of their ventures, including prize money and mentoring support.

In addition, winners of the Youth Innovation Award (AI & Technology Category / Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience Category) are expected to be offered the opportunity to participate in a international event scheduled to be held in Japan in the latter half of 2027.
This will provide a valuable platform to showcase their businesses and ideas alongside young entrepreneurs and innovators from across Asia, including Vietnam and the Philippines, while building international networks.

Furthermore, this year we will begin a collaboration with Zero-Ichi, a social entrepreneurship acceleration programme for students (organized by Borderless Japan and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Executive Committee).
Through this partnership, we plan to jointly deliver lectures and training programs, as well as collaborate on domestic and international events.
Together, we will support the aspirations of Japan’s young social entrepreneurs by providing both learning opportunities and access to strong networks.

During the application period, we will continue to announce new partnerships, awards, and opportunities.
The latest updates will be available on this webpage and through the social media channels of the UNDP Representation Office in Japan.
Those who complete the registration will receive key announcements and programme updates directly.

Application Requirements:
Applicants must be high school students (or equivalent) or older and under the age of 36 as of 31 March 2027 (born between 1 April 1991 and 31 March 2011).

Japanese national, or a resident of Japan who has lived in Japan for more than 2 years.
Should have a business plan that is either in an idea stage, preparation stage, or in operation for less than four years.

Note:

Application and final presentation at the Social Innovation Challenge Japan 2026 can be done either in English or Japanese.
Applications can be submitted as an individual or in a team. If you are applying as a team, the lead representative of the team must meet the above eligibility requirements.

2. Judging Criteria:

I. SDG contribution: Impacts on society and environment

II. Business idea: innovative approaches of the solution

III. Business model: Feasibility and sustainability of the business model

IV. Passion and vision as an entrepreneur

For the UNHCR Award, the business will be selected from among those that meet the following additional criteria:

V. Businesses founded by members with a refugee background, or businesses aimed at solving refugee problems (for-profit and non-profit businesses)

3. How to apply:

Please register through the online form below:

Registration Form | Youth Co:Lab Social Innovation Challenge Japan 2026　

By registering, you will receive updates on additional awards, upcoming online briefing sessions, and the application formats for the full entry process.

4. The Social Innovation Challenge Japan 2026 Judge Panel:

Experts in the fields of business, social entrepreneurship, international development, etc. will evaluate business presentations at the “Social Innovation Challenge Japan 2026”:

UNDP
The University of Tokyo
Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representation in Japan
Additional organizations to be announced

About Youth Co:Lab:
Co-created in 2017 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Citi Foundation, Youth Co:Lab aims to establish a common agenda for countries in the Asia-Pacific region to empower and invest in youth, so that they can accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through leadership, social innovation and entrepreneurship.
Learn more at www.youthcolab.org or follow @youthcolab

About UNDP Youth Moonshot for Asia and the Pacific:
The UNDP Youth Moonshot for Asia and the Pacific is UNDP's bold leap toward a future shaped by young people through leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship. It aims to reach every young person, everywhere in the Asia-Pacific region, to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and lead transformations for people and planet. Youth Co:Lab is part of the Moonshot initiative to foster entrepreneurship and transformative startups.

About Youth Innovation Co-Creation Project for Asia (YIC Asia)
Youth Co:Lab Social Innovation Challenge Japan 2026 will be delivered a part of the Youth Innovation Co Creation Project for Asia (YIC Asia) -Japan Driven Youth Entrepreneurship for the SDGs-, funded by the government of Japan.

Contact:
Hiromi Amano (Ms), Youth Engagement Analyst at UNDP Representation Office in Tokyo
event.japan@undp.org