Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Project

Grant assistance for Cultural Grassroots Project (GCGP) is meant to facilitate cultural exchanges and deepen friendship and mutual understanding between Japan and developing countries by providing non-profit organizations of those countries with support for procurement of equipment and construction of facilities to promote culture and higher education.

In the Philippines, seven projects amounting to approximately USD 263,000 have been implemented.

Eligible Recipients
The eligible recipients of GCGP are any type of non-profit organizations which are active at the grass-roots level in developing countries. These organizations include non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local authorities, research and higher education institutions. Under certain conditions, governmental institutions may also be eligible for assistance. Individuals and profit-making organizations are not eligible for GCGP.

Priority areas of GCGP

• Development projects with the main objective of promoting culture and higher education
• Projects with high benefits to the people of the target region
• Projects that contribute to the preservation of the culture of the target region or promote Japanese culture and cultural exchange with Japan
• Projects that contribute to understanding of Japan and foster a sense of affinity toward Japan, and that are easily recognized as development cooperation by Japan

The following types of projects will not be eligible:

• The projects that do not contribute to the economic and social development
• The projects which do not benefit people at the grass-roots level
• The projects that are intended for political or religious purposes
• The projects that could be intended for military purpose
• The projects which include the provision of luxury articles such as alcoholic beverages and cigarette

Conditions

• The proposal must specify a project that aims at promoting culture and education (e.g. preservation of cultural heritage or cultural relics, exhibition or performance of cultural activities, promotion of higher education or research). Administrative expenses of the applicant organization are not included.
• The project must directly benefit grassroots activities (preferably projects which involve the local community). The recipient must be the applicant organization and the local community as the direct beneficiaries. It is to be expected that the management, maintenance and administration of the project facilities will directly involve the community.
• As a matter of principle, the project must be implemented locally.
• The project must be included in the list of allowed equipment or activities.

Examples of Eligible Proposals
Although proposals are not limited to the following, these are given priority:

• Preservation of cultural heritage or relics
• Japanese language education
• Promotion of sports activities
• Promotion of music
• Higher education or research
• Cultural facilities (museums, libraries, theaters, community halls, etc.)
• TV program software materials
• Educational program broadcasts (must be involved in higher education)

Ineligible Proposals, Items and Equipment

• Projects that are currently receiving aid through other grant schemes
• Projects that do not directly benefit the grassroots level and are not directly related to cultural activities
• As with the Japanese Cultural Grant Aid, proposals requesting for the following items/equipment shall be ineligible:
  • Operating expenses
  • Staff salary
  • Electricity and water consumption
  • Rent for homes or office
  • Fuel and/or gas for vehicles
  • Consumables (supplies, etc.)
  • Equipment for proponent's office (e.g. stationery, photocopy machines, personal computer, printer, fax machines, cellular phones, etc.)
  • Furniture, air-conditioners, crime-prevention devices, and generators in facilities
  • Vehicles
  • Land purchase
  • Animal dispersal
  • Funding for research and/or project conceptualization
  • Funding for missionary projects, political activities or activities related to elections, commercial projects, and projects supporting specific doctrines or ideologies, or military projects
  • Payment for VAT, customs and duties, registration/license/certification fees, etc.

Application Process
An eligible organization should send application directly to the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines . The deadline for submission differs every year. Please contact the Embassy for confirmation.

For more information about the program:
https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/category/cultural/index.html 
Pamphlet for Grant assistance for Cultural Grassroots Projects (PDF)

Contact Information
Japan Information and Cultural Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan
2627 Roxas Boulevard , Pasay City 1300
Tel # : (02) 8551-5710 local 2313
Fax # : (02) 8551-5784
E-mail : jicc-mnl@ma.mofa.go.jp


*Conditions are subject to change