UNIQLO to help disadvantaged children with new initiative

Faced with poverty and unemployment, children in refugee centers live in extremely insular environments, limiting their socialization and development. UNIQLO and non-profit organization Actions for Children in Crisis are offering children in Serbian refugee centers the chance to shop at a simulated UNIQLO store, providing an exciting opportunity to socialize.

Children "shop" for new clothing donated by UNIQLO, and use play money to "buy" the items they want. Through the program, they also have the opportunity to express themselves through community building opportunities like dance performances.

UNIQLO is determined to improve the world through its clothing, and has undertaken innovative projects worldwide to achieve this goal.

Clothes for Smiles Project

UNIQLO and UNIQLO Global Brand Ambassador Novak Djokovic jointly initiated the Clothes for Smiles Project in October 2012, to help disadvantaged children worldwide. UNIQLO has earmarked JPY 1 billion from its Fall/Winter 2012 sales of HEATTECH and Ultra Light Down to support this initiative. The project is divided into two programs.

The first solicits and implements ideas from around the world to help disadvantaged children worldwide. The second funds initiatives to improve education for children, through a global alliance with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). UNIQLO has allocated JPY 5 hundred million in support of these programs.

Entrepreneurial Training for Innovative Communities (ETIC)

Entrepreneurial Training for Innovative Communities (ETIC) is a non-profit organization that contributes to social innovation by developing enterprising leaders who create new value in a range of fields. It works with a number of organizations throughout Japan, including businesses, universities, and government agencies, to support the development of bright young people.

To do so, it offers long-term internships for more than 2,500 individuals in entrepreneurial ventures, while providing education and support for over 300 entrepreneurs. Since 2011, ETIC has also focused on disaster recovery, by assigning 151 people to work across 87 recovery projects, as well as initiatives to rebuild communities and industries.

UNIQLO