Changemakers - Fark Yaratanlar
Fark Yaratanlar

Changemakers

Meet Changemakers who choose to be part of the solution to an existing problem, who demonstrate an example for an active citizen, who create innovative solutions for a concrete and sustainable change, who make social contributions with measurable effects, and who inspire others with their stories.
Themes
Cities
Season
Environment
Elif Oğuzbal Çatıkkaş & Yasemin Kırkağaçlıoğlu - Kokopelli in the City

Social Justice
Murat Kefeli - Körüz Biz

Education
Onur Kahvecioğlu - Müzikist

Education
Rumeysa Çevlik - Doğadaki Sınıf

Social Justice
Zülal Tannur - From Your Eyes

Education
Ferda Salık – Diyarbakır’s Cultural Ambassadors

Civic Participation
Fixers Club

Fixers Club has repaired 60 streets in different cities of Turkey with more than 1,000 volunteers with the motto of "to repair, to produce and to share".

Education
Nusrettin Biçer/ Abdulkadir Korkmaz - Reading is Being on the Road

Nusrettin and Abdulkadir are teachers who visit the villages of Şanlıurfa with the project 'Reading is Being on the Road' and come together with the children.

Social Justice
Yağmur Özgür Güven – Anti-Vivisection Association

Yağmur Özgür Güven continues to work in Anti-Vivisection Association, of which she has been among the founders since 2019.

Civic Participation
Don’t Throw It Away! Get It Repaired, Let It Be A Hope for Children

Works to collect unused, broken, faulty, malfunctioning toys, repair them and get them to children in need and make the children happy...

Social Justice
Association for Struggle against Sexual Violence

The Association for Struggle against Sexual Violence was founded in 2014 by a group of activists to make sexual violence more visible, widely spoken about and debated.

Environment
Lisinia Nature

Within the scope of the Lisinia project, plants indigenous to the region’s nature were started to be produced at the villages near Burdur. In this way, the local people were both introduced to new products and continuing to farm without disrupting the natural balance.

Education
Informal Learning Youth Center (YAŞÖM)

Informal Education Youth Center, YAŞÖM, was founded by a group of young people mentored by Hülya Denizalp in 2011.

Health
Youth Approaches to Health Association

Youth approaches for non-discriminative rights to health

Environment
Mediterranean Conservation Society

The guardians of Mediterranean

Civic Participation
Midnight Library

A new model of library open to reader’s participation

Education
Refreshment University

The first university of Turkey for students over 60 years old

Social Justice
Wheelchair Dance Project

A dance group of individuals with physical disabilities...

Social Justice
Hands Speak

Rap music with sign language: Hands Speak

Environment
Şehrine Ses Ver

For more livable cities...

Environment
Earth Association

Sustainable, ecological, joyful living

Social Justice
DemGoodCoffee

DemGoodCoffee blends deaf and hearing-impaired culture with coffee culture

Education
ÇABA-ÇAM

ÇABA-ÇAM proposes an alterative model to social inequality in early childhood education

Education
Fatma Ayan

Turkey’s first open-air library has been opened with the efforts of Fatma Ayan, a teacher with 20 years of experience.

Health
The Hope Foundation to Children with Cancer

Founded in 2000, The Hope Foundation for Children with Cancer (KAÇUV) develops many different projects for children diagnosed with cancer.

Economic Development
Basic Needs Association

Food Banking Association was established in 2010, under the leadership of entrepreneur Serhan Suzer, for the people who are unable to meet their basic needs.

Civic Participation
Yuvarla Social Startup

Yuvarla.org initiative conducts projects in partnership with 15 different civil society organizations.

Education
Ayça Arslan Ergül

Come On Friends, Let's Do Science

Education
Nurten Akkuş

Daddy tell me a story

Social Justice
Ayşe Tükrükçü

A bowl of soup, a hope...

Environment
Çağan Şekercioğlu

A scientist chasing the nature...

Education
Dilek Livaneli

Dilek Livaneli is a teaching profession since 13 years, the last 6 years of which were in Kumköy Primary School in Samsun.

Civic Participation
Ayfer Doğan

Denizli Foster Care Association Chairperson Ayfer Doğan works in the area of foster care since 17 years.

Economic Development
Leyla Karabulut

Leyla Karabulut supported social participation of women living in a city opportunities are limited.

Social Justice
Abdullah Oskay

Abdullah Oskay worked with children and young people raised under similar conditions. Together with his friends, he established Hayat Sende Youth Academy Association in 2007.

Social Justice
Süleyman Akbulut

Süleyman Akbulut played a significant role in the change of approach on disability from help-basis to rights-basis.

Social Justice
Duygu Kayaman

Duygu worked on the development of “My Dream Partner” application with the support of Turkcell that eases the access of visually impaired people to information.

Economic Development
Mustafa Bektaş

Nallıhan Tourism Volunteers Association was established in 2005 under the leadership of Mustafa Bestaş in Nallıhan, a historical and natural district of Ankara, in order to protect, improve, determine and market the touristic, cultural and natural values of the district.

Civic Participation
Different Melodies of the Same Land

Different Melodies of the Same Land Choir is formed of students under the leadership of music teacher Ufuk Gökcan.

Education
Şenol Yıldız

After completing the projects ‘I am Touching Science, Having Fun and Learning’ and ‘My School is turning to a Science Center’, Şenol Yıldız is now travelling from village to village for his third project called ‘Let Science Enlight the Schools’.

Civic Participation
Architecture for All Association

Architecture for All Association was established in 2011 for creating architectural and design solutions for socio-cultural problems in Turkey.

Economic Development
Nusratlı Village Association

Süheyla Doğan, a retired civil engineer, has moved to Ida Mountain with her family for a tranquil life after living in Antalya for many years. Thanks to her socially responsible character, she established “Nusratlı Village Culture Tourism and Solidarity Association” in 2005 with the support of villagers of Nusratlı.

Social Justice
Hülya Aydın

Life of A Determined Woman

Social Justice
Umut Koşan

A Man Who Follows His Dreams

Civic Participation
BuradaEngellendim.com

BuradaEngellendim.com Platform Fights Against The Architectural Barriers

Economic Development
Cansu Akarsu

"Happy Baby"

Economic Development
Karabiga Women's Cooperative

Visionary Women of Karabiga

Economic Development
Ödemiş Women's Cooperative

They Weave Their Future With Silk

Social Justice
Engin Yılmaz

Series And Movies Are Accessible For Everyone With The Audio Description

Civic Participation
İrfan Neziroğlu

Turkish Parliament Makes A Difference With “Stop Wasting” Project

Education
Selma Yıldız

"Small Codas" Are Not Alone

Civic Participation
Özlem Arman

Let's Be Happy For The Children In Hospital

Education
Ergin Erenuluğ

Two Eggs Are Enough To Go To The Cinema And To Fight Against Obesity

Health
Salih Yüce

Salih Yüce works to raise awareness on cancer by establishing the “Help and Love Association for Cancer Patients”.

Social Justice
Lütfiye Kelleci Birer

Story Of The Effort To Make Obstacles Invisible

Civic Participation
YouthBank

Youth Makes A Difference By Receiving Grants From YouthBank

Social Justice
Sami Altunel

A New Door From İzmir Into A Different World

Education
Göktül Bakdık

The Children Of Imprisoned Women Saw The Light Beyond The Rain

Civic Participation
K. Demirel Youth Association

Down Cafe Became The Light Of Hope For People With Disabilities

Social Justice
Ömer Faruk Arınç

Disadvantaged Kids Are At Playhouse

Education
Hakan Habip

Here Are The Science Heroes!

Social Justice
Women Association of Muş

Early Marriage Is Not Their Destiny

Education
One Rubber One Pencil

“One Rubber One Pencil Project” Brings the Schools and the Donors Together

Social Justice
Galata Dialogue Association

Be Ready To Forget What You Know In The Pitch Dark

Civic Participation
Gülçin Kaya

Don't Hide Under The Blanket

Environment
Play For Nature

"Play For Nature" Creates Nature Awareness Through Social Media

Civic Participation
GÖZDER

Persons with Disabilities Fighting Against Discrimination

Social Justice
Celal Karadoğan

Aiming to create a sense of community among youth with and without disabilities, and to raise public awareness around this topic...

Civic Participation
Young Voices of Erciş

Van and Erciş through the Eyes of the Youth

Civic Participation
Mehmet Münir Cura

Athletes in Mardin are “running” to a better future

Economic Development
Meral Kekeçoğlu

‘Bee-like’ Entrepreneurs are On Their Way

Civic Participation
Ayşegül Güzel

A Bank Where the Currency is Time, Instead of Money: “Zumbara”

Social Justice
Nurcan Baysal

A Success Story Written From West To East

Education
Melahat Aydın

Galloping for Girls’ Education in the Eastern Province of Muş

Civic Participation
Ati Youth and Sports Club Association

Ati Youth and Sports Club Association Creates Hope for Future of Youth in Hakkari

Social Justice
Sulukule Children's School of Arts

Children in Sulukule Make their Voices Heard through Music

Civic Participation
İZEV - Down Cafe

İstanbul Foundation for People with Mental Disabilities (İZEV) provides employment opportunities to youth with Down syndrome.

Environment
Hayrettin Karaca & Nihat Gökyiğit

Hayrettin Karaca and Nihat Gökyiğit Don't Let Turkey Become a Desert

Social Justice
Güney Hastemoğlu

Güney Hastemoğlu Fights to Prevent Juvenile Delinquency

Civic Participation
Özgür İnam

Özgür İnam Helps Children with Disabilities Sail for a Better Future

Environment
Güven Eken

Güven Eken Takes 'Green' into Account in Turkey

Education
Selçuk Var

Selçuk Var Motivates Teachers through Theater

Social Justice
Nihat Kihtir

Nihat Kihtir Removes Barriers to Participation through Sign Language

Social Justice
Tahir Dadak

Tahir Dadak Develops Capacity to Improve Agriculture

Social Justice
Child Brides Project

Child Brides Project Fights Early Marriage Tradition in Turkey

Economic Development
Zeliha Serin

Zeliha Serin Contributes to Local Economy Utilizing Women Capital

Environment
Nurselen Toygar

This Week's Changemaker; Nurselen Toygar Mobilizes Turkey to Raise Awareness on Environment and Persons with Disabilities

Education
İsmail Gündüz

İsmail Gündüz Adapts Education to the Roma Children's Culture

Education
Mustafa Özarslan

Mustafa Özarslan Designs 'Super Classes' to Improve Quality in Education

Social Justice
Özlem Öztürk

Özlem Öztürk Raises Awareness on Landmines among Children

Education
Yusuf Çopur

Yusuf Çopur Cultivates Love of Reading in Children

Environment
Ahmet Yaraş

Ahmet Yaraş Fights to Protect the Ancient City of Allianoi

Education
Hasan Çetin

Hasan Çetin Works for Better Lives of Migrant Farm Workers

Social Justice
Cavidan Yılmaz

Cavidan Yılmaz Advocates the Women Rights in the Northern City of Trabzon

Economic Development
Şengül Akçar

Şengül Akçar Developed the First Women's Micro-Credit Program in Turkey

Social Justice
Şahhanım Kanat

Şahhanım Kanat Helps Families Face the Challenge of Urban Migration

Education
Hacı Ormanoğlu

Hacı Ormanoğlu Empowers Children through After-School Programs

Health
Kamil Çetin Oraler

Kamil Ç. Oraler is a microbiologist with Ph.D. and established Kadıköy Health and Education Center Foundation (KASEV) with other volunteers in 1986.

Education
Adnan Çelik

Adnan Çelik Promotes Youth Development in Diyarbakır

Education
Erhan Ağbaba

Erhan Ağbaba Helps Promote the Self-Esteem of Children

Civic Participation
Rodin Alper Bingöl

Rodin Alper Bingöl Raises Awareness about Disability

Social Justice
Şaban Tören

Şaban Tören Makes a Difference in Children's Lives with Art

Social Justice
Tahsin Aksu

Tahsin Aksu Devotes Himself Serving the Community of Van-Gevaş

Education
Mine Narin

Mine Narin Makes a Difference in the Lives of Families and Children with Autism

Economic Development
Victor Ananias

Victor Ananias Works for a More Ecologically Balanced Turkey

Education
Mehmet Selim Baki

Mehmet Selim Baki Brings Music Education for Children in the Inner City

Economic Development
Berrin Yıldız & Murat Sarıkaya

Berrin Yıldız and Murat Sarıkaya Promote Cultural Tourism in Cappadocia

Civic Participation
Ahmet Besim Toker

Ahmet Besim Toker Helps Families with Members that Have Disabilities

Education
Naşide Buluttekin

Naşide Buluttekin Contributes to Health of Mothers and Children

Education
Gültekin Yazgan

Gültekin Yazgan Creates Libraries for People with Visual Impairments

Economic Development
Tara Hopkins

Tara Hopkins Empowers Women While Protecting the Environment

Health
Türksel Dülgergil

Çoruh Türksel Dülgergil Keeps Kids Healthy Preventing Tooth Decay

Civic Participation
Itır Erhart

Itır Erhart Runs to Raise Money for Youth, Education, and Disability Projects

Civic Participation
Ercan Tutal

Ercan Tutal Makes a Difference in the Lives of People with Disabilities

Economic Development
Nazmi Ilıcalı

'Organic Nazmi' Contributes to Economic Development in One of the Turkey's Poorest Regions

Health
Zeynep Şimşek

Zeynep Şimşek Improves Conditions of Migrant Farm Workers

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