Toyota Environmental Activities Grant Program Accepts Applications for FY2003

Tokyo―TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) today began accepting applications for the FY 2003 Toyota Environmental Activities Grant, a program designed to support environmental revitalization and conservation activities both in Japan and overseas for the purpose of sustainable development.

Commemorating TMC's 1999 receipt of the Global 500 Award for Environmental Achievement from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)*, the Toyota Environmental Activities Grant was launched in 2000 as a three-year program to be concluded in 2003. However, recognizing the positive feedback from Japan and overseas, TMC decided to extend the grant program to further demonstrate its social and environmental responsibility. In the previous three years, the program has funded a total of 560 million yen (supporting a total of 38 projects; 9 implemented in Japan, 6 in the Americas, 3 in Europe, 18 in the Asia-Pacific and 2 uncategorized).

TMC supports practical community-based projects concerning environmentally sound technology and environmental education through this program, under the key theme of "Social Investment for Sustainable Development." This year, approximately 200 million yen will be budgeted for the grantees.

For application guidelines and an overview of FY2002 recipients, please see the attached document "Toyota Environmental Activities Grant: Program Summary".

*United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): Established in 1972, UNEP is the first United Nations agency to be based in a developing country ― in Nairobi, Kenya. UNEP's mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnerships in caring for the environment by enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. It acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator and facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the global environment.

1. Grant-making Areas
   Basic Theme: Social Investment for Sustainable Development
   Sub-theme:
   1. Environmental Technology: Commercializing environmentally sound technology
      Grants will be awarded to projects that incubate new technologies or that build systems for utilizing and marketing new technologies to achieve both conservation and economic development.
   2. Environmental Education: Developing human resources for the next generation
      Grants will be awarded to projects targeted to raise environmental awareness and encourage concrete actions, inspiring the next generation, which will face the challenge of achieving sustainable development.
      
      
2. Grant Period
   From one up to three years, beginning in December 2003.
   
   
3. Application Period
   July 24 (Thu), 2003 - August 24 (Sun), 2003 (Postmarked no later than August 24, 2003)
   
   
4. Notification of Decision
   The selection committee, comprised of seven experts from Japan and overseas, will review the applications and make its decision. Applicants will be notified in writing in late-October 2003.
   
   
5. Contact Information
   Further details on the Toyota Environmental Activities Grant Program and specific questions on application procedures can be submitted by phone, fax or via e-mail to the Program Secretariat (address below).
   
   Toyota Environmental Activities Grant Program Secretariat
   MBE Box 363,
   2-3-6 Otemachi,
   Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0004 JAPAN
   Tel: +81-3-3272-1925 Fax : +81-3-3272-1926
   E-mail: toyota-ecogrant@mri.co.jp
   
   Additional information is also available online at:
   http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/community_care/ecogrant/index.html(English)
   http://www.toyota.co.jp/jp/community_care/ecogrant/index.html (Japanese)