ABOUT FUJISAWA
With a stunning coastline, historic sites and delicious food, Fujisawa, in Kanagawa Prefecture of Japan, is a delight for both explorers and those seeking to take it slow.
Marine Conservation and Waste Management are key issues as the city continues to develop. There is a Sustainable Town Project so there is a push for better usage of energy, encouraging more renewable energy. Fujisawa is also an active fishing town and like many parts of Japan, there is a delicate balance between the sea for work, the sea for leisure.
For the farming community, it includes encouraging organic farming and “stress free” livestock farming, and having more organic options in school lunches.
Our local BlueCommunities partner is SEGO Initiative, an NGO working to bring their community together to preserve their local coastal areas.
LOCAL GOALS
UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
LOCAL PARTNERS
Launched in 2014, SEGO Initiative grew out of their Fujisawa Beach Cleaning Project that they started in 2009. This Project now includes 3 key pillars: volunteering, public education and reconnecting to the marine environment. Their mission is to bring communities together to help local coastal areas.
SEGO Initiative is a platform for people who are passionate about making positive changes. We believe that solutions to global challenges start locally so we support grassroots activities that have a measurable positive impact on the community and the environment. When everything seems impossible, we look for the “what can be done” moments. We know that “the world’s greatest challenges will never be solved by one person, one team, or one company.” So we gather partners and work as a team.
FUJISAWA BEACH CLEANING
Launched in 2009, the goal of this family friendly grassroots project is to bring people together to learn about the challenges that face the ocean and us.
The Project has 3 key pillars:
1. Volunteering with employees of corporate supporters, their families, local students and members on the community in biannual cleanup events in Fujisawa.
2. Public Education via citizen science and art.
3. Reconnecting to the marine environment via sailing bring people closer to the ocean where they can experience its fragility as well as its beauty.
ORGANIC FARMING PROJECT
Launched in 2014, this project was inspired by Slow Food International and the Edible School Yard Project. It helps local organic farmers and offers a chance for the volunteers to better understand the natural food cycle and to appreciate the pleasure of good fresh food.
This also includes the Cacao Collective Project to helps facilitate organic cocoa farmers with direct market access.