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.

Doors Opening to Hope in Syria: Anatolian Culture CentersWithin the scope of education, culture and art activities carried out under the leadership of Bülbülzade Foundation, Anadolu Cultural Centers, which serve in the safe regions of Syria, give hope to the lives destroyed by the war. Students who have been receiving education at the cultural centers, which have been operating since the first day, explain how the education they have received has transformed their lives.Anadolu Cultural Centers, which provide education for individuals between the ages of 5 and 35, contribute to the development of both children and young people with the programs they offer in 15 different branches.Opened in Al-Bab, Afrin, Azaz and Jarablus in Syria in cooperation with the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities, Anadolu Kültür Centers contribute to the construction of a future full of hope in the fields of education, culture and arts. These centers are not only institutions that provide information; they also stand out as important rehabilitation points that aim to reduce the effects of war socially, culturally and psychologically.Shaped by taking into account the dynamics of the region, the training and activities continue uninterruptedly and draw attention with sustainable projects that contribute to the normalization of the region and the reconstruction of the social structure.

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.

BE LIGHT FOR THE FUTURE “Be Light for the Future: Education and Training Support Project for Disaster Affected Youth” supported by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Youth and Sports is a comprehensive support program that will continue for 10 months under the coordination of Bülbülzade Association in Nurdağı and İslahiye districts of Gaziantep, which were affected by the 6 February 2023 earthquakes. The project aims to provide education, psychological support and social integration opportunities to young people affected by the earthquake.Education SupportYoung people who experienced disruption in their education processes after the earthquake can easily access study areas, textbooks and digital materials within the scope of the project. Individual and group education support for school lessons is provided by volunteer teachers and mentors.Psychological SupportIndividual and group therapies conducted by psychologists help to increase psychological resilience and combat various problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder. In addition, sportive and social activities such as various team sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, etc. are organized in order to improve the self-confidence of young people and make their participation in social life more active.Social IntegrationThe project reinforces young people's awareness of social solidarity through volunteer-based activities and trainings such as disaster awareness, first aid trainings, social responsibility projects, environmental cleaning and aid organizations. The “Disaster Awareness and First Aid” trainings, organized to ensure that young people are prepared for possible disasters and have the skills to take quick action, aim to minimize the risks in the region.Within the scope of the 10-month project, it is aimed to reach 300 young people directly and 1500 young people indirectly and to raise young people who internalize social solidarity with the sustainability of support activities with the contributions of local stakeholders at the end of the project.

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.