Educational Volunteers Foundation of Türkiye (TEGV)

The Turkish Education Volunteers Foundation (TEGV) is a non-governmental organization founded in 1995 with the aim of providing non-formal education to children of primary school age in Turkey. The foundation was established by a group of industrialists, managers, and academicians who believed that education is the key to the development of the country. TEGV operates education parks, learning units, and Firefly Learning Units in 24 cities across Turkey, providing educational support to children with a contemporary mission and vision.

TEGV's primary goal is to support the basic education provided by the state and raise children as equipped and qualified individuals who embrace modern and universal values and the fundamental principles of the republic. Its mission is "As each child changes, Turkey flourishes," and its vision is to become a non-governmental organization accessible to every child living in Turkey with effective and distinctive education programs and a sustainable structure.

TEGV's programs include a wide range of educational activities such as art, science, and technology, aimed at helping children develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity. The foundation's impact can be seen in the lives of thousands of children who have benefited from its programs and have gone on to become successful individuals in their respective fields. TEGV's approach to education emphasizes the importance of learning beyond the classroom and the integration of technology and innovation in the learning process.

TEGV's core values include reliability, volunteerism and solidarity, innovativeness, respect for diversities, and responsibility. These values guide the foundation's work and ensure that all stakeholders are included in the education process. With its commitment to providing quality education to children and its extensive reach across Turkey, TEGV continues to make a significant impact on the country's education landscape.

The Turkish Education Volunteers Foundation (TEGV) is a non-profit organization established in 1995 by the leading businesspeople and intellectuals of Turkey to support the education of children and young people. TEGV's primary objective is to provide an enjoyable and participatory learning environment for children and young people.

TEGV's journey began in 1995, with the opening of its first education centre in Istanbul, in the district of Kadikoy. The centre's mission was to provide a unique educational experience for children that went beyond traditional academic subjects, with an emphasis on creativity, exploration, and play. The response to TEGV's approach was enthusiastic, and within a year, the foundation had opened ten more centres in Istanbul.

In the following years, TEGV expanded its reach across Turkey. By 1999, TEGV had opened 32 education centres across 18 provinces, and more than 200,000 children had benefited from its programs. In the same year, TEGV began offering training to teachers in order to help them integrate TEGV's innovative educational approach into their classrooms.

The early 2000s were a time of continued growth and expansion for TEGV. In 2001, TEGV launched the "Firefly Project," which uses mobile education units to bring TEGV's educational programs to rural and remote areas of Turkey. The project was an immediate success, and within five years, TEGV deployed 18 Fireflies, which had travelled over 91,000 kilometres and reached more than 500,000 children.

In 2003, TEGV established a partnership with Sabanc. Foundation to launch the "I Read and Play" program, which aimed to foster a love of reading and learning among young children. In the same year, TEGV also established a partnership with the Ministry of National Education to integrate its educational programs into the national curriculum.

In 2005, TEGV launched a new initiative called "Theater in Education," which aimed to use theater as a tool for promoting creativity, critical thinking, and social awareness among children and young people. The program was an immediate success, and by 2007, TEGV had staged more than 800 theater performances across Turkey, reaching over 150,000 children.

TEGV continued to expand its reach and impact throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s. In 2009, TEGV was recognized as a foundation entitled to "collect charity without permission" by the Council of Ministers. In the same year, TEGV launched the "Our Home, Istanbul" project, which aimed to promote a sense of civic pride and responsibility among young people in Istanbul.

In 2010, TEGV celebrated its 15th anniversary and was awarded the Golden Compass Award for the "You Have Never Seen Them Like This Before" concert, which was organized to raise awareness and funds for TEGV's programs. In the same year, TEGV launched the "Science Fireflies" program, which aimed to promote an interest in science and technology among young people.

In 2011, TEGV opened the Sevgi-Erdogan Gönül Education Park in Sanliurfa province, which provided education and support to disadvantaged children and families in the region. In the same year, TEGV launched the "Fun, Learn, Hygiene" event, which aimed to promote good hygiene habits among young children.

In 2015, TEGV opened its 98th activity centre, bringing its total number of centres to almost 100. That same year, TEGV also launched a new program called "Coding for Kids," which taught children how to code and introduced them to the world of technology.

In 2016, TEGV continued to expand its reach, opening its 100th activity centre. The organization also launched a new project called "TEGV Science," which aimed to increase children's interest in science and technology.

In 2017, TEGV introduced a new program called "Social Innovation Camp," which brought together high school students from different parts of Turkey to develop innovative solutions to social problems. In 2018, TEGV launched a new program called "TEGV Digital," which focused on digital literacy and aimed to help children learn how to use technology in a safe and responsible way. In 2019, TEGV celebrated its 27th anniversary and continued to expand its programs and activities. The organization also launched a new project called "TEGV Art," which aimed to foster creativity and artistic expression in children.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on TEGV's operations. The organization shifted its programs online and launched a new initiative called "TEGV @ Home," which provided educational activities and resources for children to use at home during lockdowns.

In 2021, TEGV continued to adapt to the challenges posed by the pandemic and implemented new safety measures to protect children and staff. The organization also launched a new program called "TEGV Future," which focused on career guidance and aimed to help young people prepare for the future job market. Overall, TEGV has had a significant impact on education in Turkey over the past few decades, and the organization's continued growth and expansion suggest that it will continue to make a positive difference for years to come.

The Turkish Education Volunteers Foundation (TEGV) is a non-profit organization in Turkey that aims to support the educational development of children and young people. Its main goals and purposes include:

• Providing educational opportunities: TEGV aims to provide access to quality education to children and young people across Turkey, particularly those who may not have the means to access it otherwise.
• Supporting the personal development of children and young people: TEGV seeks to help children and young people develop their full potential, by offering programs and activities that foster creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and social and emotional development.
• Encouraging active citizenship: TEGV aims to cultivate a sense of social responsibility and active citizenship in children and young people, by encouraging them to participate in social and environmental projects that benefit their communities.
• Empowering educators: TEGV seeks to empower educators by providing them with training, resources, and support to deliver quality education to their students.
• Fostering partnerships and collaborations: TEGV works to foster partnerships and collaborations with other organizations, businesses, and government agencies to create sustainable solutions to educational challenges in Turkey.

TEGV aims to create a better future for children and young people in Turkey by investing in their education, personal development, and social engagement.

The impact of the Turkish Education Volunteers Foundation (TEGV) can be seen in various aspects. Since its establishment in 1995, TEGV has played a significant role in the development of education in Turkey by providing non-formal education to children of primary school age. TEGV aims to support the basic education provided by the state, in order to ensure that children are raised as equipped and qualified individuals, embracing modern and universal values, as well as the fundamental principles of the republic.

TEGV operates in 24 cities across Turkey, with 8 Education Parks, 29 Learning Units, and 18 Firefly Learning Units. These facilities provide opportunities for children to develop their creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills through various programs and activities. TEGV's programs include science and technology workshops, arts and crafts workshops, theatre and drama workshops, sports activities, and language learning programs.

TEGV has had a significant impact on the lives of many children in Turkey. By providing non-formal education opportunities, TEGV helps children to develop their skills, increase their confidence, and prepare them for a successful future. TEGV also provides support to disadvantaged children and those in rural areas, who may not have access to quality education. TEGV's programs have helped to improve the academic performance of many children, increase their attendance rates in school, and prevent school dropouts.

In addition to its impact on children, TEGV also plays a crucial role in the development of volunteers. TEGV provides opportunities for volunteers to develop their skills, gain experience, and make a positive impact on their communities. Through its volunteer programs, TEGV helps to build a culture of volunteerism and social responsibility in Turkey.

Overall, the Turkish Education Volunteers Foundation (TEGV) has had a significant impact on education in Turkey. By providing non-formal education opportunities, TEGV has helped to improve the lives of many children and build a brighter future for Turkey.