For inquiries on this matter, please contact
- Corporate Sustainability Div. The Mitsui & Co. Co-creation Fund Team
Inquiries about Sustainability
Social Contribution Activities
Mitsui & Co. Co-creation Fund
Mitsui & Co. aims to solve social issues through co-creation by providing grants to the projects conducted by issue finders (discoverers of social issues) from outside the company, who will work together with our officers and employees to create a path to solutions.
Outline of the Mitsui & Co. Co-creation Fund
Objective of Fund
Social contribution activities that aim to solve social issues through co-creation by making use of the experience of issue finders from outside the company who are discoverers of social issues such as social entrepreneurs, NPOs, and researchers, and our company's officers and employees who share their aspirations with them. We hope to link initiatives with our business through the involvement of employees of our Head Office, branch offices in Japan, and overseas subsidiaries (hereinafter referred to as "officers and employees") (Resulting connection to our business at the end of the grant is not a prerequisite.).
Grant Mechanism
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Application method | Private submissions based on the recommendations of our officers and employees. The team will either (1) bring in projects through the endorser or (2) provide matching opportunities between issue finders and officers/employees, and ensure support from our officers/employees. |
| Screening method | After receiving proposals, the Fund's team confirms the details. After the Internal review board and Project Evaluation Committee (in total two times), grant recipient projects are selected. |
| Grant amount and number of grants | Approximately ¥10-100 million yen per project. Two projects will be selected each year. If there are no qualifying projects, the grant will be deferred to the following year. |
| Period | Reviews will be conducted every year for a period of three years from the start of the grant period (to determine whether to continue or discontinue the grant). |
| Progress management and evaluation | Officers and employees accompany and support issue finders in follow-up meetings held every two months. The results of the grant are disclosed through a social impact evaluation. |
Communication to Officers and Employees
Candidate projects and information on issue finders are posted on the Issue Finder Portal. In-house information sessions are also held.
Roles of Parties Involved
Application Eligibility
- Applicants must be recommended by an eligible officer or employee working at the Mitsui & Co. Head Office, at a branch office in Japan, or at an overseas affiliated company (Please note that officers and employees on secondment to affiliated companies are not eligible).
- In principle, the applicant must belong to an organization or group with a juridical personality, such as an NPO, public interest corporation, university or college of technology, general incorporated association, joint-stock company, limited liability company, or a similar commercial enterprise government or administrative agency. The applicant must have the approval of the head of the organization or the person who has the authority to sign the contract.
- Applicants must be able to conduct an online interview.
- If the applicant intends to use funds from other companies or its own funds other than those provided by the Fund to implement or realize the grant project, it must be certain that the funds will be procured and allocated.
- Applicants may be subject to other conditions that the Fund may set with reasonable justification.
Grant Eligibility
Projects or activities eligible for grants:
No restrictions on type of social issue or region (domestic or overseas)
Projects or activities not eligible for grants:
- Projects in which grant funds are directly used for investment or capital
- Projects that are purely for-profit activities
- Political or religious activities or projects
- Projects or activities in which the applicant corporation is not the main executing entity, or projects or activities that provide grants to other corporations, organizations, or individuals
- Projects and activities that contribute to the interests of a specific business, individual, or industry group
- Projects to be conducted by an organization or corporation in which a relative of the endorser or supporter is involved
- Other cases that the Fund team deems inappropriate (i.e. involvement of antisocial forces, listed companies, etc.)
Screening and Selection Process
Schedule from Application to Selection (conducted twice a year)
Main Screening Items
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Co-creation potential with Mitsui | Degree of commitment to co-creation by the recommender/supporter, and consistency with Mitsui's Sustainability Management Strategy. |
| Support system for Mitsui officers and employee | Clarification of the role of the recommender/supporter, recommendation by the superior of the organization to which the recommender/supporter belongs, and whether or not the recommendation/support is approved. |
| Evaluation of the potential to create social impact | Potential to create positive impact, appropriateness, consistency of short-term and long-term outcomes, and collaborative nature. |
| Issue finder's ability to promote the project | Basic practical skills, management skills; Networking, track record, and growth potential; Technical expertise; Ability to understand stakeholder needs; Enthusiasm and integrity. |
The above are the main screening items. Applicants may be subject to additional screening.
Supporting activities and research that contribute to solving global environmental problems and aiming to achieve sustainable society where the economy and the environment coexist in harmony.