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General Incorporated Association Parchil Partners with Shonan Bellmare Futsal Club to Support Single-Parent Families ― Launching "Futsal de Change": Promoting sports participation through tuition subsidies and equipment provision ―

Partnership between Parchil and Shonan Bellmare Futsal Club

Shonan Bellmare Futsal Club Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture) announced on November 27 that it has concluded a partnership agreement with the General Incorporated Association Parchil (Representative Director: Shogo Minami). Together, they are launching a new project, "Futsal de Change," aimed at supporting single-parent families through futsal.

This project is designed to support children from single-parent households who find it difficult to participate in sports activities due to economic or time constraints. It has also been selected for the Nippon Foundation's FY2025 "Public Welfare" grant program.

■ Supporting 50 Single-Parent Families in Kanagawa Prefecture

Futsal de Change Project

There are currently over 45,000 single-parent households within Kanagawa Prefecture.

This initiative targets 50 children from such families within the prefecture. To support their continuous participation in sports, the program will provide an 80% subsidy for Shonan Bellmare Futsal Club school fees, provide necessary futsal equipment, and offer pick-up and drop-off services from the nearest stations.

Additionally, the project introduces a mechanism to expand the circle of support throughout the region by selling donation-based match tickets, with the proceeds allocated to operating costs and school tuition subsidies.

■ "Giving Back to Society": The Vision of Parchil's Representative

General Incorporated Association Parchil

Representative Director Minami of Parchil reflected on his own upbringing in a single-mother household and his childhood experience of being unable to join a soccer club despite wanting to. He commented, "If there are children in Kanagawa who are giving up on their dreams for reasons similar to mine, I want to do something to change that situation."

Representative Director and President Sato of Shonan Bellmare Futsal Club also stated, "We are delighted to proceed with this project alongside Parchil to address the challenges of economic and educational disparity among families."

■ About the ICT Startup League
This support program began in FY2023, sparked by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "Start-up Creation-type Germination Research and Development Support Business."
The ICT Startup League supports startups through four main pillars:
1. R&D Funding / Hands-on Support
Up to 20 million JPY in R&D funding is provided in the form of a grant. Additionally, in terms of hands-on support, the evaluation committee members who were involved in the selection process continue to stand by the startups after selection to promote their growth. For companies that evaluators deemed "must-select candidates," a support system akin to "fandom" (Oshikatsu) is established, where evaluators themselves provide continuous support through advice on business plans and the provision of growth opportunities.
2. Discovery & Incubation
We provide opportunities for learning and networking to encourage the business growth of league members.
We also deploy initiatives to discover those aiming to start businesses in the future, aiming to expand the base of entrepreneurship.
3. Competition & Co-creation
Designed as a positive competitive environment similar to a sports league, startups learn together and improve through friendly rivalry while competing to win the necessary funding (up to 20 million JPY). We also provide a space for co-creation where league members can collaborate to expand their businesses through various opportunities, such as sessions with selection and evaluation committee members.
4. Dissemination
We collaborate with media to broadcast the initiatives of league members! By making these businesses known to a wider audience, we aim to expand opportunities for new matching and chances.

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