- Program Civil Society
- Program Area Enhancing Community Philanthropy
- Grant Amount $220,000
- Grant Period March 1, 2013–April 30, 2015
- Location Istanbul, Turkey
- Geographic Focus Turkey
About this grant
The project goals are to encourage youth engagement in community development and stimulate local philanthropy in Turkey. To these ends, the Community Volunteers Foundation will support the development of the YouthBank model in Turkey. During the grant period, the grantee will support and develop five existing YouthBanks and establish five more. During the two years, these YouthBanks will support more than 180 community initiatives. In finding locations for the new YouthBanks, emphasis will be given to smaller cities and towns across Turkey where young people have fewer opportunities. Specific activities will include training, mentoring, study visits, and technical assistance to YouthBanks, as well as financial support for local projects identified by YouthBanks in their communities. During 2011-2012, the grantee supported the development of six YouthBanks in five different locations in Turkey and organized extensive network and training opportunities for participants, including exchange visits with YouthBanks in Armenia. The Community Volunteers Foundation was established in 2002 and is a national-level nonprofit working to increase youth activism through volunteerism. The foundation is based in Istanbul.