JICA’s “QUEST” Program Crowns 10 Innovative Projects in Final Pitch Competition
Tokyo, Japan – The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the final pitch competition for its “QUEST” (JICA Co-creation x Innovation Program) initiative. Following rigorous evaluation, ten promising projects have been selected to receive support, marking a significant step forward in fostering innovative solutions for development challenges. The announcement was made on August 20, 2025.
The “QUEST” program is designed to identify and nurture groundbreaking ideas that leverage co-creation and innovation to address pressing global issues. The program actively seeks proposals from a diverse range of stakeholders, including individuals, researchers, startups, and established organizations, who are committed to contributing to sustainable development through novel approaches.
The final pitch competition brought together a select group of finalists who had previously demonstrated the potential of their ideas. These finalists presented their proposals to a panel of esteemed judges, composed of experts in international cooperation, innovation, and relevant development sectors. The pitches were a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of participants, showcasing a wide array of creative solutions spanning various fields.
The ten selected projects represent a spectrum of innovative thinking, with each offering a unique and potentially impactful contribution to development. While specific details of each project will be made public in due course, the selection criteria emphasized factors such as the project’s feasibility, scalability, potential for sustainable impact, and alignment with JICA’s development cooperation strategies.
JICA’s commitment to fostering innovation through programs like “QUEST” underscores its dedication to finding effective and forward-thinking solutions to the complex challenges faced by developing countries. By providing a platform for idea generation, mentorship, and financial support, JICA aims to empower innovators and accelerate the implementation of impactful projects on the ground.
The selected projects will now move into the next phase of the “QUEST” program, which will involve further development, capacity building, and the potential for implementation with JICA’s collaboration. This initiative is expected to contribute significantly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and improving the lives of people in developing regions.
JICA extends its sincere congratulations to all the finalists for their exceptional efforts and looks forward to supporting the successful implementation of the ten selected projects. The agency remains committed to fostering a vibrant ecosystem of innovation and co-creation for a better global future.
JICA共創×革新プログラム「QUEST」アイデアコンペのピッチ最終審査が行われ、10件の採択事業が決定しました！
AI has delivered the news.
The answer to the following question is obtained from Google Gemini.
国際協力機構 published ‘JICA共創×革新プログラム「QUEST」アイデアコンペのピッチ最終審査が行われ、10件の採択事業が決定しました！’ at 2025-08-20 06:05. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.