“Social responsibility projects” in Turkey do not only mean voluntary work, but also serious financial support for these projects. Initiatives by young people, especially in areas such as environment, education, equality and social integration attract the attention of the state and the private sector. Turkey has established both public and private support mechanisms to fund such projects.
If you are an international student and the idea of creating social impact excites you, know that you are not alone. It is possible to find funding for your project. In some support programs, “being a student” is even considered an advantage in itself.
Simplistically speaking, social responsibility projects are voluntary endeavors that seek the well-being of a community, individuals, or nature and provide solutions. Goals such as cleaning a park, providing education to migrant children or training women for a profession fall under the scope of social responsibility.
These are very valuable not only for society but also for personal development. Perhaps one of the most meaningful sentences you will write on your CV will be the role you played in this project. Especially in Turkey, projects developed for young people grow with support. And this support is not only financial, but also mentoring, training and promotional support.
How international students can be involved in these projects
Turkey’s universities have many student clubs that run social responsibility projects. You can apply for public funds by developing joint projects with these clubs. Some programs are even open directly to international students.
Contact your university’s community office to find out about active projects or find support for your idea. Usually applications are made in Turkish, but some EU funds also accept English. You can facilitate the application process by running the project under the leadership of a Turkish student.
Project Supports Available from State Institutions
Government funding is one of the most reliable sources for social responsibility projects in Turkey. Moreover, for some projects, applications are open throughout the year. Below you can find the two most well-known public institutions and the support they provide.
General Directorate of Civil Society Relations grants
This directorate provides project-based support to civil society organizations (associations, foundations). Among the projects supported in 2024, education campaigns for people with disabilities, women’s employment projects and environmental cleaning activities were at the forefront.
Applications are usually opened in spring and fall. The average grant amount varies between 2,600 – 7,900 USD. You can find more details on the DG Civil Society Relations website.
Ministry of Family and Social Services project supports
This ministry mostly supports social services, family support and community welfare projects. Within the scope of the Family Social Support Program (ASDEP), social responsibility projects organized by young people are supported.
In 2024, projects targeting youth, migrants and children were prioritized. The amount of support per project is usually around 1,500 – 5,000 USD. You can browse sample applications on the official website of the Ministry of Family and Social Services.
At this point, as we mentioned in our article Healthy and Affordable Nutrition for Students in Turkey, some projects focus directly on food security and are run with ministry support.
Grant Programs for Associations and NGOs
If you are running your social responsibility project under the umbrella of an association or if you want to be part of such a structure, this is a great advantage for you. Because there are many grant programs in Turkey specifically designed for associations.
Institutions providing financial support to the project in Turkey
- Union of Municipalities of Turkey (UMT)
- Sabancı Foundation
- Vehbi Koç Foundation
- European Union Delegation to Turkey
- Istanbul Development Agency (ISTKA)
These organizations launch open calls several times a year under specific themes (climate, gender equality, cultural heritage). Application documents and sample projects are usually shared on their website.
Annual grant amounts provided to associations
| Name of Institution | Average Grant Amount (USD) | Target Project Type |
|---|---|---|
| Union of Turkish Municipalities | 3,000 – 10.000 USD | Education, environment, digital equality |
| Sabancı Foundation | 5,000 – 15,000 USD | Women’s rights, disability |
| EU Delegation to Turkey | 10,000 – 50,000 USD | Migration, cultural integration, climate |
Some of the projects implemented with these grants have now turned into organizations that create great social impact.
This topic is also particularly important for tech products used in social enterprises. Therefore, I invite you to take a look at our article Tech Shopping Tips for Students in Turkey.
Alternative Support Sources: Sponsors and Crowdfunding
In addition to government support, there are other ways to raise funds for social responsibility projects. Especially thanks to digital platforms, it is now possible to gather great support with just a few e-mails or social media posts.
The use of platforms such as Fongogo, Kickstarter
Fongogo is a crowdfunding platform based in Turkey. Social responsibility projects are very common here. If you present your campaign with visuals, short video and clear goals, you have a good chance of getting between 1,000 – 5,000 USD.
Kickstarter is more focused on creative and social enterprise projects. It is necessary to prepare a campaign in English. But for international students, this is an advantage. At the end of the campaign, supporters contribute to your project and you realize your goal.
A few tips to consider when fundraising:
- Add an emotionally relatable story to the project.
- Use your social media accounts actively.
- Build trust with visual/video content.
Collaboration with corporate social responsibility (CSR) sponsors
Large companies have CSR projects to contribute to society. These companies may be interested in supporting student projects. For example, energy companies can sponsor environmental projects and banks can sponsor issues such as financial literacy.
Some companies directly provide technology products or digital infrastructure support. At this point, you can check our Tech Shopping Tips for Students in Turkey article to see how you can get your project equipment economically.
Inspiring Social Responsibility Projects in Turkey
If you want to create an idea, you first need inspiration. Below I share a few examples of social responsibility projects that have been implemented in Turkey and have had a significant social impact.
Environment and sustainability-oriented projects
- Clean Campus Movement: It was initiated by university students. Waste collection, recycling education and reduction of plastic use were targeted.
- Green Libraries Project: Unused libraries were renovated with environmentally friendly systems.
These projects were realized with an average funding of 3,500 – 7,000 USD.
Social initiatives for women and children
- Coding with Women: This project, which aims to help women learn software, was run by a foundation in Istanbul.
- Out-of-School Education Centers: Programs were implemented to support the transition of refugee children into the school system.
Some projects have become even more visible with the participation of international students. Turkey is one of the few countries that encourages this diversity.
Check out TBB’s social responsibility page for detailed examples.
Now It’s Your Turn: Implement Your Social Responsibility Project in Turkey!
Everything you need to create the social impact you dream of is available in Turkey: funding, support, inspiration, team. “Social responsibility projects” are no longer just voluntary activities; they are also sustainable, measurable and financially supported initiatives.
Application process, required documents and timing
Although the application process varies from institution to institution, the documents generally required are as follows:
- Project summary and purpose
- Budget plan (in USD)
- Impact analysis (who will benefit and how?)
- Timeline
- Team competence and role allocation
Most fund applications open 1-2 times a year. It is important to follow the calendar. I recommend developing a timing strategy when starting your project.
Get consultancy with Road to Study, give direction to your project
If you want to make your mark in Turkey with social responsibility projects, Road to Study can guide you on this journey. Whether you want to develop your project idea or manage the application process, the support you need is here.
Contact us now and take the first step today.