Education Volunteers Foundation of Türkiye

The Education Volunteers Foundation of Türkiye (Turkish: Türkiye Eğitim Gönüllüleri Vakfı, TEGV) is a Turkish non-profit educational foundation founded in Istanbul on 23 January 1995 on the initiative of Suna Kıraç together with a group of industrialists, executives and academics. Its stated purpose is to contribute to the basic education provided by the state by creating and running original educational programmes and activities for children aged 7–14, helping them grow into rational, self-confident, questioning, creative, peaceful individuals who respect different ideas and beliefs and make no distinction of gender, race, religion or language in human relations. It operates with public-benefit foundation status. TEGV's model has three components: physical spaces built for children in socio-economically disadvantaged areas; educational programmes developed by academics and specialists; and the volunteers who deliver those programmes in the spaces. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and high-school graduates, complete the foundation's training before meeting children, and commit to a certain period of voluntary work. According to a 2012 volunteering survey, more than 50,000 people — the great majority of them young, with 70% university students — had volunteered for TEGV since its founding. The foundation delivers its programmes through Education Parks (Eğitim Parkları), Learning Units (Öğrenim Birimleri), mobile Firefly Learning Units (Ateşböceği Öğrenim Birimleri) and, under a Social Activities Support Protocol, in primary schools. Its first Education Park, Çukurbostan, opened in Istanbul's Fatih district on 20 April 1996, and its first learning units were in Beykoz, Yeniköy and Zeyrek in Istanbul. The first Education Park outside Istanbul was the Van Feyyaz Tokar Education Park. After the 17 August 1999 Marmara earthquake the foundation launched the "Life Neighbourhoods" project, establishing six such neighbourhoods in the Marmara region. By the end of 2000 learning units had spread nationwide to 49, and the first mobile Firefly unit took to the roads of Anatolia in 2000 to reach children in areas without parks or units. By 2003 TEGV had become the most widespread civil-society organisation working in education in the country, with 12 Education Parks, 58 Learning Units and 17 Fireflies. In 2006 it introduced provincial representatives to expand activities and respond to local demand, and in 2011–2012 it was active in 36–39 provinces. Funding comes from corporate supporters and, importantly, individual donations, through online one-off and regular giving, individual fundraising campaigns run via platforms such as Adım Adım and Fonzip (including the Istanbul Marathon), product sales and brand collaborations, funds and grants, and legacy donations. In 2024 TEGV marked its 30th anniversary, reporting that it had reached more than 100,000 volunteers, and launched TEGV Akademi, a free online learning platform with content for children, parents, volunteers and teachers. The foundation also runs a virtual museum of its history and offers gift certificates supporting children's activities in computing, art, reading, mathematics, science and English.

TEGV was founded in Istanbul on 23 January 1995 on the initiative of Suna Kıraç together with a group of industrialists, executives and academics, with the aim of contributing to the basic education provided by the Turkish state. It holds public-benefit foundation status. Its model combines purpose-built spaces for children in socio-economically disadvantaged areas, educational programmes developed by academics and specialists, and volunteers who deliver those programmes. The first Education Park, Çukurbostan, opened in Istanbul's Fatih district on 20 April 1996; the first learning units were the Beykoz, Yeniköy and Zeyrek units in Istanbul. The first Education Park outside Istanbul was the Van Feyyaz Tokar Education Park. Following the 17 August 1999 Marmara earthquake, the foundation implemented the "Life Neighbourhoods" project, establishing six such neighbourhoods in the Marmara region. By the end of 2000 learning units had spread across the country, reaching 49 in number, and the first mobile Firefly learning unit set out on the roads of Anatolia in 2000 to support children in areas without parks or units. In 2001 the foundation carried out two major events to raise public awareness: a three-day "One Million Children Education Campaign" on a television channel beginning 23 April 2001, which increased donors and volunteers, followed in June 2001 by footballer Mehmet Özdilek's testimonial match, whose proceeds were donated to the foundation, raising its profile nationwide. By the end of 2001 learning units numbered 63 and mobile units 5. In 2002, with Samsun and Diyarbakır added, Education Parks reached 8, learning units 64 and mobile units 13. In 2003, with 12 Education Parks, 58 Learning Units and 17 Fireflies, TEGV had become the most widespread civil-society organisation active in education in the country. In 2006, to expand activities, meet local demand and reach children in places without a TEGV activity point, the foundation introduced the "Provincial Representation" scheme. In 2011 it operated 10 Education Parks, 52 Learning Units, 3 provincial representations and 21 Fireflies in 36 provinces; in 2012 it operated 10 Education Parks, 54 Learning Units, 3 provincial representations and 21 Fireflies in 39 provinces. A 2012 volunteering survey found that more than 50,000 people, mostly young and 70% university students, had volunteered for TEGV since its founding. In 2024 TEGV celebrated its 30th anniversary, reporting that it had reached more than 100,000 volunteers, and launched TEGV Akademi, described in its 2024 Integrated Annual Report as shaping the future of the education system. The foundation also maintains a virtual museum of its history and, as of its 2025 homepage, offers education gift certificates supporting children's activities in computing, art, reading, mathematics, science and English, and published its 2025 Integrated Annual Report. Funding relies on corporate supporters and individual donations through online one-off and regular giving, individual campaigns via platforms such as Adım Adım and Fonzip (including the Istanbul Marathon), product sales and brand collaborations, funds and grants, and legacy donations.

• TEGV founded in Istanbul on the initiative of Suna Kıraç and a group of industrialists, executives and academics.

• First Education Park, Çukurbostan, opens in Istanbul's Fatih district; first learning units established in Beykoz, Yeniköy and Zeyrek.

• After the 17 August Marmara earthquake, the "Life Neighbourhoods" project establishes six neighbourhoods in the Marmara region.

• Learning units reach 49 nationwide; the first mobile Firefly learning unit begins operating in Anatolia.

• Three-day "One Million Children Education Campaign" broadcast on a television channel, increasing donors and volunteers.

• Footballer Mehmet Özdilek's testimonial match is held, with proceeds donated to the foundation.

• Learning units reach 63 and mobile units 5 by year-end.

• With Samsun and Diyarbakır added, Education Parks reach 8, learning units 64 and mobile units 13.

• With 12 Education Parks, 58 Learning Units and 17 Fireflies, TEGV becomes the most widespread civil-society organisation active in education in Türkiye.

• TEGV introduces the "Provincial Representation" scheme to expand activities and meet local demand.

• TEGV operates 10 Education Parks, 52 Learning Units, 3 provincial representations and 21 Fireflies in 36 provinces.

• TEGV operates 10 Education Parks, 54 Learning Units, 3 provincial representations and 21 Fireflies in 39 provinces; a volunteering survey reports more than 50,000 past volunteers.

• TEGV celebrates its 30th anniversary, reports reaching more than 100,000 volunteers, and launches TEGV Akademi.

• TEGV publishes its 2025 Integrated Annual Report and promotes education gift certificates and new volunteer applications.

A public-benefit, volunteer-driven education foundation providing free, original educational programmes to socio-economically disadvantaged children across Türkiye.

• Education Parks (Eğitim Parkları)

  Purpose-built spaces in socio-economically disadvantaged areas where children participate in TEGV's educational programmes.

• Learning Units (Öğrenim Birimleri)

  Local units delivering TEGV's original educational programmes to children.

• Firefly Learning Units (Ateşböceği Öğrenim Birimleri)

  Mobile learning units that travel to areas without parks or units to provide educational support.

• TEGV Akademi

  A free online learning platform with content designed for children, parents, volunteers and teachers, launched in 2024.

• Education gift certificates

  Certificates that support children's participation in computing, art, reading, mathematics, science and English activities.

1. 1Türkiye Eğitim Gönüllüleri Vakfı (TEGV) - Ana Sayfategv.org
2. 2Education Volunteers Foundation of Türkiye - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Türkiye Eğitim Gönüllüleri Vakfı - Wikipedia (Turkish)tr.wikipedia.org