We are excited to announce the continuation of our project initiated last year, with the launch of the 2025 edition this year. This project will once again unite Dutch and Japanese artisans to craft exceptional and innovative pieces that reflect the rich creativity and distinct visions of both cultures.

Our program aims to explore the intersection between Dutch and Japanese craft culture and to create a collaborative products that reflects the talent and creativity of each creators involved in the project. If you can make physical products with your own hands, we want to hear from you.

We believe that this project will be a great opportunity for designers and crafts people to collaborate and learn from each other, and we’re looking for passionate and enthusiastic participants who are interested in exploring new ideas and techniques. By working together, we hope to create something that is greater than the sum of its parts.

If you’re interested in joining this program, please read the application requirements below and submit your project proposal with your collaborator. We’re looking for designers and makers who are committed to this program and who are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with creators from a different cultural background.

Program Schedule

Application period:
Monday, 7 April 2025 (from 16:00 in Japan / from 9:00 in The Netherlands)) – Friday, 23 May 2025

Announcement of the selected pair:
Thursday, 5 June 2025

Hands-on support period:
Middle of June 2025 till end of March 2026

*The selection committee of the program will discuss and consider all applicants and projects. Selected pairs will be announced on this website. The committee will not provide each applicant with any comments, reviews or reasons concerning the application.

Know before you apply

Who we are looking for
1 creative pair consisting of a designer based in the Netherlands and a maker based in Japan

What we offer
We will select one creative pair, who will be provided with our hands-on support. When selected for this program, the pair will meet online and further develop their plan (June – September 2025). The pair met in person during the Study Tour in the Netherlands organized by NN Life from October 19 to 25. The Japanese party will then, accompanied by other Japanese members of the MMM community, visit the Netherlands. Following the Study Tour, the pair will continue their collaboration online from November 2025 through March 2026, meeting approximately once every two weeks for one-hour sessions. They are scheduled to present their progress at the MONO JAPAN Fair in January 2026 as an interim showcase, with a final presentation planned in Japan in March 2026.

Program Period
April 7, 2025 – end of March, 2026

Application Requirements
Make sure you read the requirement details on this page:
https://monomakersmeet.com/practical-information-mono-makers-program/

How to apply

Applicants are required to submit the below documents to info@monojapan.nl (please mention on subject Application for MONO MAKERS PROGRAM) by Friday,  23 May 2025.

Applicants must submit:
– Name of Applicant 1
– Link of ‘Profile page’ in MONO MAKERS MEET of Applicant 1
– Name of Applicant 2
– Link of ‘Profile page’ in MONO MAKERS MEET of Applicant 2
– Motivation letter regarding the collaboration in English.
– Targeted goal by the collaboration (What does your collaboration aim to achieve with our support?)
– Reference visuals and texts (images, sketches, presentation, etc. showing us the content of the collaboration)

The application must be submitted jointly by a designer based in the Netherlands and a maker based in Japan.

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION

The selection committee of the MONO MAKERS PROGRAM will deliberate and discuss all the applicants/projects. The selected pair will be announced on our website by 5 June 2025.

* The committee will not provide each applicant with any comments, reviews or reasons concerning the application.

To learn about the requirements and the schedule(overview), please also read here:
https://monomakersmeet.com/about-mono-makers-support-program/

For questions, you can contact by mail to info@monojapan.nl.

Apply before 23 May 2025