ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP GUIDE FOR YOUTH

The Bülbülzade Association, supported by the Turkish National Agency, carried out the Erasmus+ KA151 Youth Mobility project, “Civil Society Volunteering as a Pathway to Active Citizenship.” (Civil Society Volunteering as a Pathway to Active Citizenship) project, an international youth program was held in Ankara Kızılcahamam between August 13–17, 2025.The program, which was attended by approximately 50 young people from North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, Serbia, and Turkey, aimed to help young people gain an awareness of active citizenship through civil society volunteering and contribute to policy-making processes in this area. Additionally, the inclusion of Syrian youth residing in Turkey under temporary protection status enriched the event in terms of social inclusivity and cross-cultural interaction.Throughout the mobility, a comprehensive content was presented that focused on both increasing the knowledge and awareness levels of young people and producing concrete outputs. As a result of the station model studies conducted under the title “Youth Policy Proposal for Civil Societies from a Youth Perspective,” one of the main topics of the program, a guiding proposal document was prepared for policymakers with the active participation of young people.The program, hosted by the Bülbülzade Association, was supported by the Alaxca Association and Köprü Association from North Macedonia, IFS EMMAUS from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Hatidža Women's Association from Serbia, and the US Akademiker Platform Association from Germany.During the program, Mehmet Ali Eminoğlu's presentation titled “Active Citizenship Models for Youth as the Key to Social Participation” was closely followed. The subsequent open discussion session addressed young people's experiences of volunteering and mechanisms for participation in civil society. Eighty young people from the Anatolian Student Union (AÖB) also participated in this session. Thus, the program created a space for interaction in the field of youth not only among young people from the participating countries but also at the local level.The session titled “Volunteering Stories and Sharing Best Practices,” moderated by Mesut Aydağ, served as a powerful source of inspiration among the participants. Throughout the event, the knowledge competition, cultural interactions, and evaluation sessions helped build strong bonds among the participants.At the same time, the outputs and policy recommendations obtained within the scope of the project were shared with the participants at the 19th Anatolia Meetings, which was held with the theme of “Tüten Ocak Aile” (Smoking Stove Family) and attended by approximately 800 people, including many youth NGO representatives. Thus, the dissemination activities of the project were carried out effectively.The program concluded with the presentation of Youthpass certificates and the presentation of policy recommendations prepared by the young participants.As Bülbülzade Association, we would like to thank all partner institutions that shared our hosting, members of the Anatolia Student Union who contributed to the program, and the Anatolia Federation for their unwavering support.

Within the scope of the Erasmus+ KA151 Youth Mobility project “Civil Responsibility and New Methods in Youth Work,” carried out by the Bülbülzade Association and supported by the Turkish National Agency, a meeting was held with the participation of youth workers in Novi Pazar, Serbia, between 10–14 November 2025.The program, organized in cooperation with the Bülbülzade Association and the Novi Pazar Turkish Cultural Center (TKM), hosted 25 youth workers from Türkiye and Serbia. The project aimed to increase participants’ knowledge and awareness levels, produce observation-based tangible outputs, and develop cooperation opportunities between the two countries. Through both theoretical and practical activities, youth workers gained awareness of environmental issues. Participants also obtained observation-based tangible results during this process.As part of the program, participants first visited the Bosniak National Council, the official representative body of the Sandžak Bosniaks in Serbia. Here they held a meeting with the President of the Bosniak National Council, Dr. Fuad Bačićanin. Following the meeting, the youth workers visited Osman Peşmen, Türkiye’s Consul General in Novi Pazar. The youth workers then visited Senad Halitović, President of the Islamic Community of Serbia.On the second day of the project, the youth workers attended seminars at the Association of Serbian Alumni of Türkiye (ASMAT). First, Nejra Mujovic Zupljanin, Coordinator of the Novi Pazar Turkish Cultural Center, delivered a seminar titled “Educational Activities in Novi Pazar.” Afterwards, Mehmet Yazıcı, Head of the Teacher Unit of the Anatolian Federation, presented his seminar titled “The Anatolian Federation Teacher Unit and Its Activities.” Following the seminars, a workshop titled “Civil Society Volunteering and the Mission of Educators in Youth Work” was conducted with Dr. Lütfiye Güvenç and Dr. Ahmet Çam.On the third day of the project, the Novi Pazar Turkish Cultural Center was visited. There, Dr. Lütfiye Güvenç from Novi Pazar State University delivered a seminar titled “Traces of Turkish Culture in Novi Pazar.” Afterwards, Hatice Neşe Çandır, a member of the Bülbülzade Foundation Education and Teacher Unit, presented her seminar titled “Planned Activities of the Bülbülzade Foundation Education and Teacher Unit.” Following a Q&A session, a workshop analyzing the education system was held.On the final day of the project, a Sandžak cultural tour was organized. After the general evaluation session held following the tour, the program concluded with the presentation of YouthPass certificates to the participants.As the Bülbülzade Association, we extend our gratitude to the Novi Pazar Turkish Cultural Center for their hospitality and to all youth workers who contributed to the process.

The international youth meeting was held in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, between July 14 and 22, 2025, as part of the Erasmus+ KA151 Youth Mobility project “Green Horizons: Together Towards Sustainability,” which was carried out by the Bülbülzade Association and supported by the Turkish National Agency.Over 60 young people from Turkey, France, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Italy participated in the program, with 24 participants from our country. In the mobility program centered on the theme of sustainable environment, young people gained awareness of environmental issues through both theoretical and practical activities.As part of the program, greenhouse studies conducted by IFS EMMAUS were examined on site. Participants volunteered to collect fruits and vegetables used in the preparation of hot meals to be delivered to those in need in the institution's kitchen. Additionally, volunteers provided support for IFS EMMAUS' projects focused on the evaluation of unused areas and eco-friendly construction practices. The young participants actively contributed to efforts aimed at reclaiming unused areas through productive and ecological approaches.During the event, various workshops, expert presentations, and best practice sharing sessions were held on sustainable environment. Waste collection activities were carried out around Srebrenica. Nature walks, camp Olympics, sports, and cultural events were organized to bring young people together.One of the program's key highlights was a visit with the Mothers of Srebrenica. Following this, the Srebrenica Memorial Center was toured, offering an on-site observation of the region's recent history through collective memory. The program concluded with various cultural tours and the presentation of certificates.As Bülbülzade Association, we extend our gratitude to IFS EMMAUS for hosting the event and to all participating organizations that contributed to the process.

The Erasmus+ youth mobility program titled “A Green Step for a Clean Tomorrow” was held in Gaziantep between July 15 and 19, 2025, under the Erasmus+ KA151 Youth Accreditation.The project, supported by the Turkish National Agency and coordinated by the Bülbülzade Association, was joined by the Turkey-Serbia Alumni Association (ASMAT) and the Serbian Turkish Cultural Center (Centar za Tursku Kulturu) from Serbia, and the Alaxha Association from North Macedonia as partners.A total of 40 young people from Turkey, Serbia, and North Macedonia participated in the mobility, and with the participation of local young people who were not project participants but volunteered to join the activities, the total number reached 50.During the project, topics such as sustainable environment, environmentally friendly practices, ecological degradation and human-induced environmental threats, leadership and ecological leadership, the role of young people in civil society work, and green skills were addressed. The young people not only gained theoretical knowledge in the field of environmental awareness and social responsibility, but also actively participated in practical activities.A portion of the activities was conducted at the Gizem Doğan Experiential Learning Center, affiliated with the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality. As part of the program, a technical visit was organized to the Gaziantep Solid Waste Landfill Facility, where waste management and recycling processes were examined on-site. In the “Green Solutions” themed station activity, participants developed environmentally conscious ideas and proposed solutions.Part of the activities were carried out at the Gizem Doğan Experiential Learning Center, affiliated with the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality. As part of the program, a technical visit was organized to the Gaziantep Solid Waste Landfill Facility, where waste management and recycling processes were examined on site. In the station work themed “Green Solutions,” participants developed environmentally conscious ideas and presented solution proposals. Additionally, activities such as nature walks, tree planting, and open-air forums were among the main activities of the program.The project concluded with a tree-planting event at the Bülbülzade Foundation's Freedom Forest and a YouthPass certificate ceremony. A general evaluation was conducted based on feedback from participants and group leaders.

The international youth mobility program themed “Social Participation of Youth in Postnormal Times” carried out by Bülbülzade Association and supported by the Turkish National Agency under the Erasmus+ KA151 project, was held in Gaziantep between 10–14 November 2025. A total of 45 young participants from Germany’s US Academiker Platform (USAP), France’s New Horizon, the Netherlands’ Bildung Nijmegen, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s IFS Emmaus, Lithuania’s Tavo Europa, and from Türkiye, Bülbülzade Association and Science Education Culture Research Center Association (BEKAM), took part in the program hosted by Bülbülzade Association and Bülbülzade Foundation. The program, prepared with the aim of enhancing young people's social participation, involvement in democratic processes, and ability to produce solutions to social issues, was successfully completed.The first day of the project began with introductory activities. The opening program was held on Monday, November 10th, at the Bülbülzade Foundation center. The event was attended by Turgay Aldemir, President of Bülbülzade Foundation and Bülbülzade Association, as well as foundation administrators, volunteers, and project participants. Following presentations from the participating organizations, visits were made to Katre Art and Science Center, İstikrar Sports Club, Middle East Media Communication Center, and Şafak Radio located within the foundation complex. After the foundation visit, a Gaziantep city tour themed “Sustainable Cities” was organized under the guidance of Hüseyin Rahmi Açıkkol. Important cultural and historical sites of the city, including the 25 December Panorama Museum, the Historical Coppersmiths’ Bazaar, and Gaziantep Castle, were visited.On the second day of the project, a seminar titled “Erasmus+ Project and Civil Society” was delivered in the morning by Ekrem Şahin, President of the New Horizon Association. After the seminar, a station-model workshop was held under the theme “Postnormal.” Participants developed postnormal ideas in small groups and presented solution proposals. Later, the Gaziantep Solid Waste Landfill Facility was visited, where a technical presentation on waste management and recycling processes was given. The day continued with visits to Gaziantep Nation’s Mosque and Gaziantep Nation’s Library. In the evening, a cultural night was organized with the participation of young people from various countries. Youth from Türkiye, Bosnia, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Hungary, Jordan, Italy, and Syria introduced their cultures and countries.On the third day, a nature walk was held at the Bülbülzade Foundation’s Kurtuluş Forest, and a sapling was planted on behalf of each organization. After lunch, Mehmet Ali Eminoğlu, President of BEKAM, delivered a seminar titled “Youth, NGOs, Active Citizenship, and Social Participation.” The seminar addressed topics such as the relationship between civil society and youth, volunteerism, active citizenship, leadership, and local participation. Afterwards, Fatih Kaya conducted a workshop titled “Normal Challenges in Postnormal Times, Participatory Leadership.”The fourth day continued with a nature- and culture-themed program. During the excursion to Rumkale and Halfeti, the participants observed the natural and historical beauty of the region through a boat tour.On the final day of the project, a general evaluation session was held by Mesut Aydağ. Participants shared their views on the project process. The program concluded with the presentation of YouthPass certificates to the participants.

Our volunteers organized a study visit to IFS EMMAUS operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina within the scope of the Erasmus+ KA151 Mobility of Youth Workers “Together We Are Stronger, Now and Always - For an Inclusive Future” project implemented by Bülbülzade Association. The mobility of the project, of which Mozaik Association, AKADDER, Semti Ibrahimli Association from Gaziantep are also partners, was carried out in Srebrenica and Doboj cities of Bosnia and Herzegovina between 13-17 May 2025.The program started with a visit to the mothers of Srebrenica who lost their relatives during the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and introduced the activities for young people and disadvantaged women carried out under the umbrella of IFS EMMAUS, as well as the shelter and education support services offered to children with limited access to school. Afterwards, our volunteers visited the Srebrenica Memorial Museum and the martyrdom site.After the completion of the activities in Srebrenica, we moved on to the city of Doboj. Here, the Doboj East Women's Association, which carries out women's work, cultural activities and volunteering projects, was visited. During the meeting with the volunteers of the association, a workshop was organized with the agenda of cultural interaction activities carried out by women with their peers and different generations.During the visit to IFS EMMAUS Headquarters in Doboj, a meeting was first held with Hamzalija Okanovic, President of IFS EMMAUS. During the meeting, sustainable activities for disadvantaged youth and women were discussed. Then, the soup kitchen where hot meals are distributed, rehabilitation and therapy centers, dairy farms and greenhouses established to provide economic support to the local community were examined.The five-day on-the-job observation and study visit ended with the presentation of YouthPass certificates to the participants.

The Bülbülzade Association, supported by the Turkish National Agency, carried out the Erasmus+ KA151 Youth Mobility project, “Civil Society Volunteering as a Pathway to Active Citizenship.” (Civil Society Volunteering as a Pathway to Active Citizenship) project, an international youth program was held in Ankara Kızılcahamam between August 13–17, 2025.The program, which was attended by approximately 50 young people from North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, Serbia, and Turkey, aimed to help young people gain an awareness of active citizenship through civil society volunteering and contribute to policy-making processes in this area. Additionally, the inclusion of Syrian youth residing in Turkey under temporary protection status enriched the event in terms of social inclusivity and cross-cultural interaction.Throughout the mobility, a comprehensive content was presented that focused on both increasing the knowledge and awareness levels of young people and producing concrete outputs. As a result of the station model studies conducted under the title “Youth Policy Proposal for Civil Societies from a Youth Perspective,” one of the main topics of the program, a guiding proposal document was prepared for policymakers with the active participation of young people.The program, hosted by the Bülbülzade Association, was supported by the Alaxca Association and Köprü Association from North Macedonia, IFS EMMAUS from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Hatidža Women's Association from Serbia, and the US Akademiker Platform Association from Germany.During the program, Mehmet Ali Eminoğlu's presentation titled “Active Citizenship Models for Youth as the Key to Social Participation” was closely followed. The subsequent open discussion session addressed young people's experiences of volunteering and mechanisms for participation in civil society. Eighty young people from the Anatolian Student Union (AÖB) also participated in this session. Thus, the program created a space for interaction in the field of youth not only among young people from the participating countries but also at the local level.The session titled “Volunteering Stories and Sharing Best Practices,” moderated by Mesut Aydağ, served as a powerful source of inspiration among the participants. Throughout the event, the knowledge competition, cultural interactions, and evaluation sessions helped build strong bonds among the participants.At the same time, the outputs and policy recommendations obtained within the scope of the project were shared with the participants at the 19th Anatolia Meetings, which was held with the theme of “Tüten Ocak Aile” (Smoking Stove Family) and attended by approximately 800 people, including many youth NGO representatives. Thus, the dissemination activities of the project were carried out effectively.The program concluded with the presentation of Youthpass certificates and the presentation of policy recommendations prepared by the young participants.As Bülbülzade Association, we would like to thank all partner institutions that shared our hosting, members of the Anatolia Student Union who contributed to the program, and the Anatolia Federation for their unwavering support.

The international youth meeting was held in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, between July 14 and 22, 2025, as part of the Erasmus+ KA151 Youth Mobility project “Green Horizons: Together Towards Sustainability,” which was carried out by the Bülbülzade Association and supported by the Turkish National Agency.Over 60 young people from Turkey, France, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Italy participated in the program, with 24 participants from our country. In the mobility program centered on the theme of sustainable environment, young people gained awareness of environmental issues through both theoretical and practical activities.As part of the program, greenhouse studies conducted by IFS EMMAUS were examined on site. Participants volunteered to collect fruits and vegetables used in the preparation of hot meals to be delivered to those in need in the institution's kitchen. Additionally, volunteers provided support for IFS EMMAUS' projects focused on the evaluation of unused areas and eco-friendly construction practices. The young participants actively contributed to efforts aimed at reclaiming unused areas through productive and ecological approaches.During the event, various workshops, expert presentations, and best practice sharing sessions were held on sustainable environment. Waste collection activities were carried out around Srebrenica. Nature walks, camp Olympics, sports, and cultural events were organized to bring young people together.One of the program's key highlights was a visit with the Mothers of Srebrenica. Following this, the Srebrenica Memorial Center was toured, offering an on-site observation of the region's recent history through collective memory. The program concluded with various cultural tours and the presentation of certificates.As Bülbülzade Association, we extend our gratitude to IFS EMMAUS for hosting the event and to all participating organizations that contributed to the process.

Our volunteers organized a study visit to IFS EMMAUS operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina within the scope of the Erasmus+ KA151 Mobility of Youth Workers “Together We Are Stronger, Now and Always - For an Inclusive Future” project implemented by Bülbülzade Association. The mobility of the project, of which Mozaik Association, AKADDER, Semti Ibrahimli Association from Gaziantep are also partners, was carried out in Srebrenica and Doboj cities of Bosnia and Herzegovina between 13-17 May 2025.The program started with a visit to the mothers of Srebrenica who lost their relatives during the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and introduced the activities for young people and disadvantaged women carried out under the umbrella of IFS EMMAUS, as well as the shelter and education support services offered to children with limited access to school. Afterwards, our volunteers visited the Srebrenica Memorial Museum and the martyrdom site.After the completion of the activities in Srebrenica, we moved on to the city of Doboj. Here, the Doboj East Women's Association, which carries out women's work, cultural activities and volunteering projects, was visited. During the meeting with the volunteers of the association, a workshop was organized with the agenda of cultural interaction activities carried out by women with their peers and different generations.During the visit to IFS EMMAUS Headquarters in Doboj, a meeting was first held with Hamzalija Okanovic, President of IFS EMMAUS. During the meeting, sustainable activities for disadvantaged youth and women were discussed. Then, the soup kitchen where hot meals are distributed, rehabilitation and therapy centers, dairy farms and greenhouses established to provide economic support to the local community were examined.The five-day on-the-job observation and study visit ended with the presentation of YouthPass certificates to the participants.

Within the scope of the Erasmus+ KA151 Mobility of Youth Workers project carried out by Bülbülzade Association, an on-the-job observation and study visit was carried out in Tetova and Skopje cities of North Macedonia between 5-9 May 2025.The first part of the program was hosted by Alaca Association, which stands out with its social and cultural activities for disadvantaged women and youth, in Tetova. Our volunteers had the opportunity to closely observe the local practices of the association and meet good examples.The second leg of the visit was held in Skopje, hosted by Köprü Association, known for its youth work, culture and arts activities and volunteering-based projects. The participants examined the organization's activities that prioritize the active participation of young people and exchanged experiences between institutions.This mobility also contributed to the promotion and sharing of Bülbülzade Association's activities in the field of youth with international stakeholders.

Under the coordination of Bülbülzade Association, the “Young Leaders for Green Solutions” project carried out within the scope of Erasmus + KA151 Youth Accreditation was held in Gaziantep between April 7-13, 2025. Approximately 60 young people from nine institutions including Maarif Europe and US Akademiker Platform from Germany, IFS Emmaus from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bridge Association and Majka Association from North Macedonia, Emu from France, Bülbülzade Association, Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality and Science Education Culture Research Center (BEKAM) from Turkey participated in the project. The program, designed to increase the sensitivity of young people to environmental issues, develop an understanding of sustainable environment and reinforce ecological leadership awareness, was completed with a full content.The first day of the project started with introductory events. On Tuesday, April 8, the opening program was held at the Bülbülzade Foundation headquarters. The opening was attended by Turgay Aldemir, President of Bülbülzade Foundation and Bülbülzade Association, as well as foundation managers, volunteers and project participants. Afterwards, the participants went to the Gizem Doğan Living Learning Center of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality. Activities such as camping games and archery were organized here. In the afternoon seminar, BEKAM Board Member Mesut Aydağ presented the historical development of human-induced environmental degradation, its effects on the ecosystem and solution proposals. In the networking workshop held in the evening session, participating organizations introduced themselves and their fields of activity. The day ended with a music concert.On the third day, after the camp activities, a city tour of Gaziantep was organized. 25 December Panorama Museum and other important cultural and historical sites of the city were visited. In the evening session, a forum titled “Civil Society and Youth Studies” was organized under the moderation of BEKAM President Mehmet Ali Eminoğlu. In the forum, topics such as civil society's relationship with young people, volunteering, active citizenship and local participation were discussed.On the fourth day, a station model workshop was organized in the morning with the theme “Green Solutions”. Participants developed environmentally friendly ideas in small groups and proposed solutions. Afterwards, Gaziantep Solid Waste Landfill Facility was visited, where a technical presentation was made on waste management and recycling processes. Later in the day, Gaziantep Zoo was visited. In the evening, Mustafa Kemal University Faculty Member Dr. Yunus Ergen gave a presentation on “Leadership and Ecological Leadership”. In the presentation, it was explained with examples how leadership gains meaning when combined with environmental responsibility and then an individual leadership test was applied to the participants.The fifth day continued with a nature and culture themed program. During the trip to Rumkale and Halfeti, the participants observed the natural and historical beauties of the region on site with a boat tour.The last two days of the project were dedicated to activities in touch with nature. A nature walk was organized in Bülbülzade Foundation Kurtuluş Forest and a sapling was planted on behalf of each organization. In the general evaluation session held after lunch, the opinions of the participants about the project process were received. The program ended with the presentation of YouthPass certificates to the participants.Within the scope of the program, the young leaders also visited Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin and Şahinbey Mayor Mehmet Tahmazoğlu and had the opportunity to get information about the environment and youth policies of local governments.

Within the scope of the Erasmus+ KA151 project carried out by Bülbülzade Association, the “Digital Transformation: Opportunities and Challenges” youth mobility was successfully completed.A total of 30 participants from Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina took part in the youth mobility. Within the scope of the program carried out in partnership with Yeryüzü Youth and Sports Club Association, FACT and Anadolu Student Union, the effects of digital transformation on individuals and society were discussed. Through seminars, group work, quiz competitions and project development workshops, the opportunities offered and threats posed by digitalization were discussed in a multidimensional manner. Participants discovered ways to be conscious individuals in the digital world and developed innovative solutions.During the mobility, young people also visited the historical and cultural sites of Bosnia and Herzegovina, gaining a deeper insight into the country's past and cultural heritage.Combining technology and cultural interaction, this youth mobility made a significant contribution to the participants' awareness in the digital world and international experience by getting to know different cultures.

Within the scope of Erasmus+ KA151 Youth Mobility supported by the Turkish National Agency, the project activity “Resilient Youth: Active Citizenship in the Digital Age” project activity was held in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. 41 young people from Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina participated in a series of workshops and trainings on social resilience, active citizenship and the impacts of the digital age.Social Resilience and Active Citizenship in the Digital AgeOne of the most important topics of the event was to increase the sensitivity of young people to social issues in the digital world and to ensure that they become conscious individuals. The workshops covered topics such as social media activism, combating disinformation, digital rights and ethical responsibilities.Participants also worked in groups to explore ways to build a resilient society. It was emphasized that active citizenship in the digital age is a matter of consciousness that requires responsibility.Meeting with Martyrs' Mothers: Witnesses of the Struggle for JusticeOne of the most meaningful parts of the program was the meeting with the mothers of the martyrs who lost their relatives in the Srebrenica Massacre on 11 July 1995. The participants listened to the testimonies of these mothers who have been struggling for justice for years.The sadness in their eyes was stronger than words, as the mothers described their lives in a pain that has not changed for years. “Those of us who have a tombstone here are the luckiest,” said one. “Some of us did not even reach a bone of their children.”Understanding the Past, Building the FutureThe visit to the cemetery was another important activity for young people. Walking among the white marbles, the young people realized that history is not only information to be read in books, but sometimes it can also be felt while standing on a piece of land and breathing. The visit to the Genocide Museum gave the participants a deeper understanding of what happened.Volunteering, Cultural Ties and SolidarityAnother important part of the program was volunteering at the youth center built by IFS Emmaus. Young people participated in the landscaping and maintenance of the center.In addition, handicraft workshops were organized to connect with the cultural heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Young people learned traditional wood painting techniques and discovered how art functions as a carrier of cultural heritage.Conscious Youth for a Resilient SocietyAt the end of the program, YouthPass certificates were presented to all participants, documenting the knowledge and skills they gained in the process. However, perhaps the most valuable gain was the sense of awareness and responsibility that the young people carried within themselves.This event was an important step towards preserving the memory of the past and raising new generations as conscious individuals in the struggle for justice. When the young people left Srebrenica, they were not only coming to the end of a program; they were also taking with them a consciousness that they should carry with them responsibly.

Supported by the Turkish National Agency and implemented by the Green Hope Association, “Young People Protect Nature: Green Skills” project is an Erasmus+ KA152 project.This project is carried out in cooperation with EMU Association from France, Us Akademiker Plattform from Germany and Bridge Association from North Macedonia. Within the scope of the project, two mobilizations are planned, one in Gaziantep and one in Strasbourg.Project DescriptionChanges in atmospheric composition due to natural processes and external factors, or changes caused by the continuous effects of humans on land use, deeply affect the world we live in and lead to the problem of climate change. In addition to natural processes, human activities play a more significant role in climate change. In particular, the wasteful consumption of natural resources threatens humanity and other living creatures on earth, and the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and the release of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) into the atmosphere change the course of the world in a negative way. Problems such as the decrease in habitat diversity, extreme weather events, ocean acidification, increased migration movements, disruption of the food chain, and the spread of diseases are some of the problems we are experiencing now and will increase in the future due to climate change. This problem, which is multiplying day by day, affects not only the natural environment but also the living beings that are the natural elements of this environment. Climate change and the ecological crisis, which have been a serious agenda item in recent years due to the visible increase in their effects, force countries and international organizations to take steps in this regard. The European Convention on the Environment, the Kyoto Protocol, the Copenhagen Climate Summit and the Paris Agreement are some of the steps taken on a global scale on climate change. However, in order to overcome this process, which has become a problem on a global scale, in a healthy way, a collective consciousness that covers all people living in the world is required. Mitigating climate change and its impacts is vital for preserving the diversity of life on Earth and maintaining the health and stability of ecosystems. In particular, the fact that young people, who are the target group of our project, have environmental awareness, and the development of their environmental awareness will contribute to a resilient future. Our project aims to spread environmental awareness among young people due to the above-mentioned problems.In this context, the objectives of the project are as follows:- To draw the attention of young people to global environmental issues, - Understanding environmental issues, contributing to young people's adaptation to changing environmental conditions and efforts to build resilience in their communities,- To demonstrate the importance of a clean and healthy environment for the well-being and resilience of living things on Earth, - Raising awareness of the costs of pollution and the advantages of renewable energy sources, - To draw attention to the relationship between environmental awareness and global citizenship, - Promote the democratic participation of young people in various problems and issues, especially environmental issues, - Defining the concept of environmental justice and brainstorming to develop fair solutions, - Encouraging young people to participate in tree planting campaigns, clean-up activities, green space advocacy, - To understand the importance of young people being role models for their peers and other stakeholders of society in their social environment, - To contribute to raising awareness among young people about leaving a more resilient environment for future generations.The other objectives of the project are to help young people to establish transnational social networks, to familiarize them with the values of the European Union, to familiarize them with the concept of active citizenship, as well as to lead activities that will improve the quality of youth work.

The "Civil Society 5.0 and Digital Transformation Guide" project supported by the Turkish National Agency and implemented by Bülbülzade Foundation has been completed.Within the scope of this project, two separate workshops were organized in Turkey and Spain with the participation of young people and youth workers.In the activity in Turkey, a 5-session activity titled "Digital Transformation in Civil Society" was organized. In this activity, it was aimed to improve the capacities of young people and youth workers participating in the project in the digital field with the presentation of experts. The results obtained from the project were transferred by both institutions to the representatives of different institutions in local dissemination activities.In the activity in Spain, a 5-session guide development workshop titled "Digital Transformation Guide in Civil Society" was organized. In these sessions, the needs of both organizations were identified with the support of experts, and then the writing phase of the guide was started with the data obtained. After the event, the guide was finalized with online meetings attended by experts.This guide, which we created with the contributions of our partner Inercia Digital SL from Spain, includes practical tips for increasing the quality of civil society organizations in line with their understanding of digitalization, their use of digital media, their digital capacity development and their interaction with digital tools.This guide will be an important guide for civil society organizations working in the youth field.Click here to access the guide: Turkish; English

The Digital Transformation Opportunity for Youth Workers (KA210) project supported by the Turkish National Agency and implemented by BEKAM (Science Education Culture Research Center) has been completed with the publication of the concrete outputs from the activities carried out in Turkey and North Macedonia.These studies, which are the concrete outputs of the project titled "Digital Transformation Opportunity for Youth Workers" carried out in partnership with BEKAM and HZ Majka within the scope of Erasmus+ K210-YOU calls and published in Turkish, English and Macedonian, were prepared for the digital transformation of civil society organizations working in the field of youth and institutional capacity development in this context.You can access the concrete outputs of the project from the links belowDigital Transformation Opportunity for Youth Workers (Workshop Report)English: https://books.google.com.tr/books/about?id=4i6nEAAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y&hl=trEnglish: https://books.google.com.tr/books/about?id=VsCnEAAAQBAJ&redir_esc=yDigital Transformation from Part to Whole (Workshop Report)English: https://books.google.com.tr/books/about?id=vi6nEAAAQBAJ&redir_esc=yEnglish: https://books.google.com.tr/books/about?id=1C6nEAAAQBAJ&redir_esc=yDigital Transformation Training Curriculum - Digital Transformation and Capacity Building in Civil SocietyEnglish: https://books.google.com.tr/books/about?id=vi6nEAAAQBAJ&redir_esc=yEnglish: https://books.google.com.tr/books/about?id=RsCnEAAAQBAJ&redir_esc=yMacedonian: https://books.google.com.tr/books/about?id=UsCnEAAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y

The Erasmus+ youth mobility program titled “A Green Step for a Clean Tomorrow” was held in Gaziantep between July 15 and 19, 2025, under the Erasmus+ KA151 Youth Accreditation.The project, supported by the Turkish National Agency and coordinated by the Bülbülzade Association, was joined by the Turkey-Serbia Alumni Association (ASMAT) and the Serbian Turkish Cultural Center (Centar za Tursku Kulturu) from Serbia, and the Alaxha Association from North Macedonia as partners.A total of 40 young people from Turkey, Serbia, and North Macedonia participated in the mobility, and with the participation of local young people who were not project participants but volunteered to join the activities, the total number reached 50.During the project, topics such as sustainable environment, environmentally friendly practices, ecological degradation and human-induced environmental threats, leadership and ecological leadership, the role of young people in civil society work, and green skills were addressed. The young people not only gained theoretical knowledge in the field of environmental awareness and social responsibility, but also actively participated in practical activities.A portion of the activities was conducted at the Gizem Doğan Experiential Learning Center, affiliated with the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality. As part of the program, a technical visit was organized to the Gaziantep Solid Waste Landfill Facility, where waste management and recycling processes were examined on-site. In the “Green Solutions” themed station activity, participants developed environmentally conscious ideas and proposed solutions.Part of the activities were carried out at the Gizem Doğan Experiential Learning Center, affiliated with the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality. As part of the program, a technical visit was organized to the Gaziantep Solid Waste Landfill Facility, where waste management and recycling processes were examined on site. In the station work themed “Green Solutions,” participants developed environmentally conscious ideas and presented solution proposals. Additionally, activities such as nature walks, tree planting, and open-air forums were among the main activities of the program.The project concluded with a tree-planting event at the Bülbülzade Foundation's Freedom Forest and a YouthPass certificate ceremony. A general evaluation was conducted based on feedback from participants and group leaders.