Japan Fund for Global Environment

The JFGE system provides comprehensive support through grants and other aid to projects by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in global environmental conservation, both in Japan and overseas, through a fund created by pooling the strength of both the government and the public.

The main points of this system are as follows.

1. The JFGE was placed within the Japan Environment Corporation, a government organization that performs various environmental conservation projects. The Law prescribes that the fund be established with governmental endowment and contributions from individuals and corporations. Thus, it is hoped that in addition to the capital from the government, private citizens and corporations make contributions (donations).
2. The Japan Environment Corporation comprehensively promotes the following programs with the investment gains earned from JFGE.
   1. Support for non-governmental organizations (Grants Program)
      1. Environmental conservation activities in developing regions by Japanese NGOs
      2. Environmental conservation activities in developing regions by non-Japanese NGOs
      3. Environmental conservation activities in Japan by Japanese NGOs
   2. Provision of training and information necessary for NGOs to promote projects (NGO Support Program)
3. For the JFGE programs to be implemented appropriately, the Management Council was created consisting of specialists from various fields. Furthermore, the public is notified about the management of the fund

Requirements for NGOs to be eligible for a grant

The JFGE supports non-government organizations that work hard and steady for environmental cooperation at a grassroots level from the viewpoint of global environmental conservation. Eligible organizations will be "juridical persons or other organizations that are non-profit and base their activities on the public will." This qualification includes foundations, incorporated association, specified non-profit organizations. Unincorporated associations are also included. Business enterprises and local public bodies are not eligible.

Because this grant program is financed with government and private contributions and the grants are awarded through an official system, it is necessary to ensure that grant moneys are used in accordance with the stated goals and that the projects awarded grants are actually implemented.

To give this assurance, grant recipient organizations must be non-government organizations that are engaged in global environmental conservation activities and that are one of the following:

1. Juridical persons in Japan established in accordance with the provisions of Article 34 of Japan's Civil Code (Law No. 89; 1896), or their equivalent nonprofit organizations (excluding those defined in (2) below).
2. Organizations in Japan founded in accordance with the provisions of Article 10 of Japan's Law to Promote Specified Nonprofit Activities (Law No. 7; 1998) and engaged in specified nonprofit activities.
3. Non-governmental, nonprofit, unincorporated associations that satisfy all the requirements below:
   • The association must possess Articles of Incorporation or equivalent bylaws.
   • The association must possess a well-established body that makes decisions for the organization and implements the project for which the Grant is requested.
   • The association must possess an accounting structure capable of bookkeeping and self-auditing.
   • The association must possess an office that serves as a base of their activities.
   • The association must be deemed to have capacity to execute the project for which the Grant is sought, judging from its track record.

   Activities are eligible for the JFGE grant?

   A: Activities eligible for Grants are those that contribute to global environmental conservation and are classified as one of the following.
   
4. Environmental conservation activities to be carried out in developing regions
   1. Afforestation, wildlife protection, prevention of pollution and other activities that are actually implemented on the project site of a developing region with the participation of the local communities or non-governmental organizations of that region.
   2. Provision of knowledge that local communities or non-governmental organizations in a developing region require to actually implement projects such as afforestation, wildlife protection and prevention of pollution.
   3. Conducting research and studies or holding international conferences to promote activities listed in a. or b.
5. Environmental conservation activities to be carried out in Japan
   1. Tree and grass planting, recycling and other activities that are carried out with the participation of a wide range of citizens.
   2. Awareness-raising and dissemination of knowledge about environmental conservation that are implemented for the benefit of a wide range of citizens.
   3. Research and studies that help promote the activities listed in a. or b. above.

Moreinfo: www.erca.go.jp/jfge/english/faq/index.html