Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

Upland communities in Iloilo are reaping the benefits of the Forestland Management Project, a 12-year collaboration with JICA and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources across three major river basins: Upper Magat and Cagayan, Pampanga, and Jalaur. Project Achievements in Iloilo Site: 🌳13,027 hectares of new tree and agroforestry* plantations 🌳16.44% increase in vegetative cover* from 2015 to 2021 🌳600kg of coffee beans per harvest/year The project improved access to services like education and healthcare and reduced travel time to Iloilo City from 3 days to 6 hours!! Community members reported better incomes and opportunities, with residents like Jimmy Rapista able to send his children to university. (Agroforestry is the cultivation and use of trees and shrubs with crops and livestock in sustainable agricultural systems.) (Vegetative cover is Percentage or ratio of plant-covered area to the total area of a given site.)

【Contributing to the financial inclusion of MSME through digital banking in Vietnam】 We are thrilled to announce that a signing ceremony took place on 14th January 2025 to celebrate JICA and Tien Phong Commercial Joint Stock Bank (TPBank), a Vietnamese bank, entered into a loan agreement up to 120 million USD on 6th December 2024. To enhance access to finance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and economically weak group in Vietnam, TPBank will onlend JICA funds to its loans to MSMEs and low-income individuals with particular focus on Women-Owned MSMEs or Women low-income individuals. Also, 30% of JICA funds will be provided to MSMEs through TPBank’s digital channel. The loan is co-financed with the United States International Development Finance Corporation (USDFC).

🍅 Promoting the SHEP Approach-Produce to Sell! Better Life! 🥑 In the framework of the country training Programme for the promotion of the SHEP approach, training sessions were conducted in Burkina Faso. Supported by JICA and implemented by the General Directorate of Plant Production (DGPV), Ministry of Agriculture, Animal and Fisheries Resources, this training took place simultaneously in the towns of Ouahigouya and Tenkodogo. A total of 80 participants from the Regional Directorates of Agriculture, Animal Resources, and Fisheries (DRARAH) attended the sessions. This training aims to develop trainers who can support farmers, particularly in the northern and central-eastern regions, by helping small-scale farmers understand market needs and increase their income. 💡 What is the SHEP Approach? 🥬🍅 🥑 🥦 🍋 The SHEP (Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment & Promotion) approach aims to shift farmers’ mindset from “grow and sell” to “grow to sell.” It helps farmers learn how to market their produce effectively, adapt to market demands, and increase their income, improving their quality of life.

📍 Saint Lucia There are many coastal communities in Saint Lucia that have historically relied on fishing activities as their main source of income. However, in recent years this income source is growing vulnerable due to many factors including cheaper imports and the decline of fishing catch. To improve the situation, JICA, Department of Fisheries, and Choiseul Fishermen’s Cooperative Society (CFCS) have jointly implemented a seaweed (locally known as sea-moss) farming Project to diversify the income source of the Choiseul community. JICA is providing comprehensive assistance including site selection, raft construction, planting, harvesting, and processing of sea-moss. Sea-moss grown in the beautiful Caribbean water has attracted attention as a superfood in the United States. Most recently, JICA supported the CFCS, to register with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which allows the CFCS to export their sea-moss to the United States. This will benefit the community by stabilizing sales and profitability.

📍 Solomon Islands 🇸🇧 Mr. Ando Taiki, a physical education teacher at St. Nicholas Anglican College in the Solomon Islands, working as a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV), accompanied ten students to participate in the ‘Vanuatu Agricultural Supplies (VAS)-Sponsored Regional Tennis Championship’ 🎾 This annual tennis championship recorded its highest number of participants, with 105 players from 11 countries. Players from the Solomon Islands received awards in various categories 🏅 Through this tournament, Mr. Ando expressed how deeply he felt a sense of “Pacific solidarity.” He was pleased to witness players not only helping their own teammates but also supporting players from other countries, growing, and improving together through the experience. He also emphasised that this event was not only about fostering competitive spirit but also about promoting fair play and intercultural understanding, making it highly meaningful from an educational significance. As a physical education teacher, Mr. Ando supports a wide range of school activities, and his dedication is highly appreciated by Mr. Francisco Wate, the headmaster of St. Nicholas. JOCV program will continue contributing to the further development of education and sports sectors in the Solomon Islands 🌟

In 2025, we mark 60 years since the first JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV) was dispatched to Laos. Over these decades, over 57,000 volunteers have worked in 99 countries, bridging trust worldwide. Many have also contributed to solving social issues here in Japan after returning. One year has passed since huge earthquake hit the Noto Peninsula on January 1, 2024. Combined with the devastating floods in September, many still face challenges in returning to the pre-disaster lives, where several JOCVs have joined efforts to support local recovery. Globally, regions like Palestine, Ukraine, and Sudan continue to grapple with conflict and uncertainty. JICA remains committed to considering what we can do—both domestically and internationally—sharing meaningful Food for thought with you. We look forward to your continued support in 2025.

⏳ Final Call for Applications! Don’t miss this opportunity to spend 4 weeks in Japan, collaborating with top startups and researchers through the Social Innovator Hub (SIH) Incubation Program by JICA. 📌 Deadline: January 12th, 23：59 (JST) 🎥 Missed the info session? Watch the recording here: https://lnkd.in/gKpqzGMK   Apply now and be part of this transformative journey! 👉 Application Form: https://sih2.throttle.biz/

＼エントリー受付中！／ ・JICA有期雇用職制の国内39ポスト・海外13ポストを一括募集中。 ・最大3ポスト・異なる職制にも併願可能。 ・無期職員（総合職）への登用実績あり。 ▼求人詳細・エントリーについてはJICA採用マイページよりご確認ください。 https://lnkd.in/gMsHu4HY ＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝ 応募〆切：2025/1/7（火）12:00 ＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝ 途上国を取り巻く環境が大きく変化する中、JICAとしてもこれに臨機応変に対応できるよう、様々なご経験をお持ちの皆様の力を必要としています。 “あなたのキャリアと知見が世界のために活きる場所”、それがJICAです。 皆様のご応募お待ちしております！ 世界におけるJICAの活動 https://lnkd.in/gj-r8itv  #求人 #人材募集 #中途採用 #国際協力

🚋 On December 22, Ho Chi Minh City’s Urban Metro Line No. 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien section), funded by Japan’s ODA loans through JICA, officially commenced operation. 🎉 The inauguration ceremony was held with the participation of Japanese and Vietnamese government officials and related parties. Later, the station welcomed many warm visitors who came to celebrate the commencement of operation of Vietnam’s first subway as well as Ho Chi Minh City's first urban railway.

🚨 Japan Disaster Relief 🚨 The earthquake struck approximately 30 km west of Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, on 17 December. Upon the request from the Government of Vanuatu, JICA has announced plans to dispatch a Japan Disaster Relief Team to assist with relief efforts.