On March 20, 2026, JICA held the “QUEST2026” Co-creation Theme Pitch under its Co-creation × Innovation Program at Tokyo Innovation Base in Tokyo. About 200 people participated in total, both in person and online, from Japan and abroad, and the venue was buzzing with energy throughout.
The session opened with welcome remarks by Yuzurio Susumu, followed by an overview of “QUEST2026” presented by Akane Miyajima of the Operations Strategy Department. Toward the end of the first half, Nonoka Kawamura, also from the Operations Strategy Department, introduced initiatives of the JICA QUEST community.
In the main session, representatives for JICA’s 15 co-creation themes took the stage to present the societal challenges behind each theme, the envisioned outcomes of proof-of-concept (PoC) trials, and the requirements they seek in co-creation partners, offering a multi-faceted perspective.
In the latter half, roundtable discussions grouped by theme drew many participants to each table, where questions and ideas flowed continuously in lively debate. A strong sense of unity filled the room as conversations delved into concrete opportunities for co-creation.
JICA Co-creation Theme Pitch Scenes (1)
JICA Co-creation Theme Pitch Scenes (2)
JICA Co-creation Theme Pitch Scenes (3)
■ JICA Co-creation Themes Pitched at the Event
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- Demonstrating a Community-Driven Model for Sustainable Natural Resource Management and Upgrading Local Value Chains
- Development of a model for new industry creation in Bhutan leveraging digital health platform
- City of Lusaka, Zambia: Open call for ideas on low-cost waste recycling and valorization, and on simple fecal sludge treatment and utilization technologies
- Promoting Women’s Health in Pakistan through Japan–Pakistan Gender-Smart Business Co-creation
- Utilizing AI and Smart Solutions for NCDs Surveillance and Risk Identification in Laos
- Improving Access to Continuum of Maternal and Child Care Services in Pakistan through Digital Transformation
- Mongolian Dinosaur Revival —Transforming the Dormant Resources of the South Gobi into Drivers of Tourism and Regional Economic Growth
- Waste to Fine Chemicals: The Black Soldier Fly Bio-Engine
- Patient- and family-friendly hospital space
- Linking frontier technologies from academia with the business challenges that matter
- Strengthening Value Chain between Central Asia and Japan Aiming to Promote the Distribution of Developed and improved Products
- Advancing Sustainable Smart Cities in Developing Countries Through Satellite Data Utilization
- Measuring the Social Impact of Sport and Development
- Toward solving common issues in domestic and international water supply
- Learning Design Lab for Foundational Math & Science
- JICA Co-creation Themes Shown as Pre-recorded Videos at the Venue
- Leveraging technologies and know-how to reduce environmental impacts associated with mine development
- Open Data and AI‑Driven Labor Market Intelligence Platform for Gabon”
- No littering campaign
- Improving access to continuous care services for patients at risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in El Salvador through digital transformation (DX)
- List of co-creation themes Co-Creation Theme – QUEST
Idea proposal submissions begin on April 1. Please review the call guidelines below, and we look forward to receiving many submissions.
- JICA QUEST Community – QUEST : Launched as a platform for dialogue and co-creation—centered on QUEST—aimed at addressing social challenges. We encourage you to join this community when applying to QUEST.
■ QUEST 2026 Overview
- Eligible participants: Domestic and international private-sector companies, academia, public institutions, and civil society.
- Value Provided:
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- Facilitation of business matching between each participant for the development of co-creation ideas/projects.
- Hands on support from JICA and Deloitte
- Business ideation, PoC planning and execution, and exit strategy development (including fundraising).
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- Financial support for PoC expenses up to JPY3M(about $20K) per project.
- Provision of opportunities for networking and information.
- Target areas and regions
- As long as the ideas can contribute to solving social issues, any proposal will be welcomed.
- Please select a co-creation thematic area that you agree with set by JICA as described later. If there is no thematic areas that you agree with, you are welcome to propose other ones as well.
Contact
QUEST 2026 Secretariat