Leyla Karabulut established Women of Bayburt Aid and Solidarity Association in 2002. As the founder and the president of the association, Leyla Karabulut focused on projects that will make a lasting change in the lives of women and make them participate in social and economic life. She provided various opportunities to women such as workshops on handcrafts, cooking and ceramic as well as traditional outfit production.
Until today, 500 women earned an income and learned a profession in the Association, which is supported with the funds of the European Union, as well as the Program of Social Support. Around 30 women were trained on local food in the Employment through Local Food Project, 6 women among them started working in apart-hotels as chefs. Women are supported in various issues in the women center of the city, which was established in the context of Thinking Women of the Living Small City Project funded by the European Union. Vocational trainings were provided to women and 30 women were trained on traditional outfit design and handicrafts. In the center, business, management and legal consultancy were provided to women, as well as psychological counseling with the support of the Local Health Authority.
Women, who started working in the association established by Leyla Karabulut, changed their life style. Leyla Karabulut supported social participation of women living in a city opportunities are limited. She empowered these women. She led tens of women to gain their economic independence. She made a big difference in the lives of women living in Bayburt, as well as in her own life.