Noufuku Award 2025 Opens Call for Applications to Recognize Outstanding Initiatives in Agricultural-Welfare Collaboration
Tokyo, Japan – August 4, 2025 – The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) is pleased to announce the opening of applications for the “Noufuku Award 2025.” This prestigious award aims to celebrate and promote exemplary initiatives that foster collaboration between the agricultural sector and welfare services, enhancing the well-being of individuals and communities across Japan. The application period commenced on August 4, 2025, at 07:00 AM JST.
The “Noufuku” initiative, a portmanteau of “nougyo” (agriculture) and “fukushi” (welfare), embodies a growing movement to leverage the inherent benefits of agriculture as a supportive environment for people with disabilities and other individuals requiring welfare assistance. These collaborations offer unique opportunities for skill development, social inclusion, and personal growth, while simultaneously contributing to the productivity and sustainability of agricultural businesses.
The Noufuku Award 2025 seeks to identify and acknowledge a diverse range of successful projects and organizations that have demonstrated significant positive impact through agricultural-welfare partnerships. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Employment and Skill Development Programs: Initiatives that provide meaningful employment opportunities and training in agricultural practices for individuals with disabilities, elderly individuals, or those facing social challenges.
- Therapeutic Agriculture: Projects utilizing farming activities for therapeutic purposes, such as horticultural therapy or animal-assisted activities, aimed at improving mental and physical health.
- Community Engagement and Social Inclusion: Efforts that foster social interaction and community building through shared agricultural activities, bridging gaps between different societal groups.
- Innovative Business Models: Organizations that have developed sustainable and scalable business models integrating agricultural production with welfare services.
- Educational and Awareness Campaigns: Initiatives that promote understanding and raise awareness about the benefits of agricultural-welfare collaboration.
By recognizing these outstanding achievements, MAFF hopes to inspire wider adoption of similar practices, encouraging more agricultural producers and welfare organizations to engage in collaborative ventures. The award serves as a platform to share best practices, foster innovation, and build a stronger network of support for the Noufuku movement.
The application process is open to a wide array of stakeholders, including individual farmers, agricultural corporations, welfare facilities, NPOs, local governments, and other entities actively involved in agricultural-welfare collaborations. Detailed guidelines on eligibility criteria, application procedures, and submission deadlines can be found on the official MAFF website.
MAFF encourages all organizations and individuals making a difference in this vital field to submit their applications and share their inspiring stories. The Noufuku Award 2025 represents a significant opportunity to highlight the transformative power of bringing together the strengths of agriculture and welfare for the betterment of society. Further details and application materials are available at https://www.maff.go.jp/j/press/nousin/kouryu/250804.html.
農福連携に取り組む優れた事例を表彰！ 「ノウフク・アワード2025」募集開始！
AI has delivered the news.
The answer to the following question is obtained from Google Gemini.
農林水産省 published ‘農福連携に取り組む優れた事例を表彰！ 「ノウフク・アワード2025」募集開始！’ at 2025-08-04 07:00. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.