Institution for a Global Society Inc. (IGS) has been selected by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) for a government grant under the “Future-Oriented Co-Creation Initiative for the Global South.” With this support, IGS has launched a research project in India to explore a sustainable talent development ecosystem where corporate investment in youth education functions as impact investment, generating both measurable social value and long-term business returns.

The project will assess the skill gap between the needs of employers and the current capabilities of young people. It will explore the feasibility of introducing digital education support and evaluation systems. The project will use “Ai GROW,” IGS’s proprietary assessment tool that visualizes and nurtures non-cognitive skills in youth.

Through this research, IGS will examine evaluation methods and metrics for quantifying the social and economic impact of education investment, to establish a framework for companies to treat such investment as a strategic component of their ESG initiatives. The initiative will also include collaboration with IT industry leaders, educational institutions, and financial partners to create scalable, cross-sector solutions for talent development and job matching in emerging markets.

By leveraging its existing capabilities in HR technology, education, and Web3 platforms, IGS seeks to contribute to inclusive growth and innovation while supporting Japanese companies in building sustainable operations in the Global South.

For the original Japanese press release (PDF), click here