Regional communities engage in many invaluable initiatives. These include supporting children and the elderly, revitalizing the community, and protecting the environment. However, these initiatives also face numerous issues because community members are either unaware of them or have not received information about them, a situation witnessed nationwide.

Even now, when digital tools have become ubiquitous, many remain unsure about what information to share or lack confidence in using such tools. Rather than just educating people, NEC was asked to increase the number of community members who can share such information to address issues such as the lack of experience or knowledge needed to use those tools effectively.

The co-creation project undertaken in partnership with Nakahara Ward

Between August 2025 and March 2026, the NEC Pro Bono Team partnered with the Nakahara Ward Office of Kawasaki City to help civic organizations and local residents elevate their public relations skills.

Five members of the NEC Pro Bono Team participated in this project, spending a total of 52 hours over approximately eight months. Together, the municipal government, residents, and NEC tackled the overarching theme of strengthening the communication abilities of the community.

This project stood out because it focused not only on bringing in skills from outside but also on helping community members take the initiative to share information.

Why a course? Rethinking the entire approach

Through discussions, it became clear that while community members understood what needed to be done, they were unable to translate that understanding into action. Despite having sufficient information, it was not being effectively utilized. To bridge this gap, project members decided to design a course ensuring that participants could apply what they learned immediately.

Rather than providing participants with knowledge, they would focus on enabling them to use what they learned right there on the spot. Based on this approach, the project team finalized the course's curriculum.

A curriculum designed to allow participants to use what they learned right then and there

The course curriculum focused on the following three themes.

Each class in this course was approximately three hours in length. The classes were designed to follow the process shown below while utilizing NEC's expertise in the use of digital tools.

Process: Lecture → Demonstration → Practical Application

Applying what you learn immediately allows you to transition from understanding a concept to being able to execute it instantly. During the actual course, participants got hands-on experience in doing everything from drafting posts to Editing images and videos. Instead of leaving with homework, participants went home having already put into practice what they learned that day.

The moment when the feeling of "I did it" turns into action

Participants came away from each class incredibly satisfied, offering feedback such as:

Course participants have also begun demonstrating noticeable changes in their actions. Following completion of the course, some participants even posted videos on YouTube introducing their organizations. Having experienced the feeling of "I did it," course participants now want to take the next step of giving it a try on their own.

The discovery of another source of value on the front lines: "I'm glad I had the chance to participate"

This project also gave the NEC Pro Bono Team members new insights. Below is a sampling of feedback received from members of this project.

Being on the front lines and tackling issues head-on from the same perspective allowed project members to see the value generated through relationships that go beyond merely providing support.

When the power to communicate awakens, communities shift into action

What emerged from this recent project was not changes in skills, but rather in actions. When the number of people capable of sharing information increases, the allure of the initiatives they are engaged in can be conveyed to others, the initiatives themselves strike a chord, and the number of participants rises. It is this virtuous cycle that forges stronger ties within communities. Moreover, by bringing together municipalities, businesses, and residents, this kind of change becomes sustainable.

Striving to create a society where everyone has a voice

NEC is a company whose Purpose is to "create the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential."

This project sought to create an environment where everyone can convey their own personal value and aspirations to society by sharing information. That is, a society where the desire to communicate grows by ensuring that what is communicated reaches others. Going forward, NEC will continue its efforts to generate social value through co-creation activities with regional stakeholders.

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In 2010, NEC became the first company in Japan to launch a pro bono program. A decade later, in 2020, employee volunteers from the NEC Group established the NEC Pro Bono Club, a pro bono community helping to address challenges faced by local communities, NGOs, NPOs, educational institutions, and others. Today, the NEC Pro Bono Club comprises approximately 900 employees.