top of page
instagram-2.jpg

About
Us

Message from Founder

Emre Caglar│Founder and Executive Director of Youth For Future

When I first started Youth For Future, it began with a simple belief: every young person deserves the opportunity to discover their potential, build confidence, and feel that they have something meaningful to contribute to the world.

In Japan, many children and youth still lack access to opportunities that allow them to explore who they are, connect with people beyond their immediate environment, and take action in society. At the same time, many students want to make a difference but do not always have the guidance, structure, or support needed to turn their ideas into meaningful social impact.

Youth For Future was created to bridge this gap.

emre-1.jpg

Through our Global Identity Program (GIP), we support children in care homes and local communities through service learning engagement, cultural exchange, and real-world project-based experiences. Rather than only receiving support, children are encouraged to become active contributors to society by exploring social issues, volunteering, creating projects, and reflecting on their own growth. Through this process, they build confidence, empathy, responsibility, and a sense of purpose. Our goal is to help each child recognize that they are not defined by their circumstances, but by their ability to learn, lead, and contribute.

 

Through our RISE Initiative, we partner with international schools and educational institutions to empower students as young changemakers. Our camps, workshops, and leadership programs help students explore social issues, design their own initiatives, and take meaningful action through service learning and community engagement. By providing students with structure, mentorship, and opportunities for action, we aim to help them become more compassionate, responsible, and proactive leaders.

At Youth For Future, we do not see young people as future leaders only. We see them as changemakers today.

Our work is built on the belief that impact begins when young people are trusted, supported, and given the space to act. Whether it is a child in a care home discovering their voice through service learning, or a student in an international school launching a social impact project, every step forward matters.

As we continue to grow, we remain committed to building a Japan where all young people, regardless of background, can access opportunities to learn, lead, connect, and contribute.

Emre Caglar
Founder & Executive Director
NPO Youth For Future

Our History

2021 - Founding Year as a High School Project

Youth For Future (YFF) was founded in 2021 as a youth-led organization, with the primary objective of raising awareness and taking action on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

2023 - Focus on Education in Developing Regions

As leadership recognized attempting to address all 17 SDGs proved too broad, YFF transitioned in late 2023 into a nonprofit organization to improve the quality of education in developing countries, through donating stationery supply to students in Kenya. 

2024 - Enrichment Programs for Children's Homes in Japan

With financial struggle to sustainably provide such resources, we therefore made the strategic decision to focus on children in Japan, leveraging our passionate and capable team. Recognizing that children living in care homes (orphanages) are a largely underrepresented group in Japan, we committed to becoming both a voice and a source of strength for them.

2025 - Official registration as a NPO法人

Youth For Future was officially registered as a Non-Profit Organization (NPO法人) under the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. 

2026 - Launch of RISE Programs 

Recognizing the lack of student-driven social impact initiatives in Japan, YFF launched a series of young changemaker and leadership camps and workshops for international schools and educational institutions.

E5A39D62-7C76-49DB-ACCD-7D862C0BDF30 (1).JPG
IMG_9557.JPG
2025.06_edited.jpg
Screenshot 2025-03-16 at 21.15.29.png

Meet the Board of Directors

emre-1_edited.jpg

Founder and

Executive Director

Ryuta-2.jpg

Director, Head of Human Resources and Communications

arika-2.jpg

Arika Okubo

Director, Head of Spring and Summer Camp & Kodomo-shokudo Project

Jungen-4_edited.jpg

Director, Head of Public Relations and Government Affairs

taiki-1.jpg

Auditor

Departments and Teams

Global Identity Program

The Global Identity Program is at the core of Youth For Future, driving curriculum development, coordinating with children’s homes, and organizing engaging camps and fundays.

Curriculum Development Team

Ayse Bayram - Project Coordinator

Megumi Wurz - Project Coordinator

Emi Tanimoto - Project Coordinator

Mei Kanada - Project Coordinator


Fun Day Organization Team

Miyu Sugiyama - Project Manager


Reach Out Team

Kaoru Takashima - Project Manager


Spring and Summer Camp Team

Sarah Mastunaga - Project Coordinator

Shiho Iwasaki - Project Coordinator

Minseo Lee - Project Coordinator

Public Relations and Government Affairs

The Department of Public Relations and Government Affairs plays a crucial role expanding our reach and developing strong support towards our action.

Social Media Team

Maya Morikuni - Project Coordinator

Shiho Iwasaki - Project Coordinator

Miho Kim - Project Coordinator

Toru Hiiragi - Photographer and Videographer


Sponsorship and Fundraising Team

Hirokatsu Tao - Project Manager

Aina Hayakawa - Senior Project Coordinator

Hiro Hobson - Project Coordinator

Koichiro Komoto - Project Coordinator


Government Affairs Team

Soo Ho - Project Coordinator

Taiju Ishimi - Project Coordinator


Website Development Team

Yui Nogami - Project Manager

Human Resource and Communications

The Department of Human Resource and Communications plays a crucial role as the backbone of the organization through building and fostering a passionate YFF community.

External and Internal Human Resource Team

Enoch Cohen - Project Coordinator

Ethan Lee - Project Coordinator


Event Team

Hiro Hobson - Event Manager

Our Report

Take a look at our key initiatives and achievements from 2024.

bottom of page