Aydın Doğan Foundation Prepares Young Women Leaders for the Future through the “Empowered Girls, Empowered Future” Project

Aydın Doğan Foundation has completed the second edition of its Young Leaders Summer Camps under the “Empowered Girls, Empowered Future” project, implemented within the framework of the European Union’s Support Programme for Rights-Based Civil Society Organisations Working in the Fields of Social Inclusion and Youth. A total of 166 students participated in six camp groups held in Marmaris between 15 June and 30 July 2026.

Throughout the camps, young women participated in intensive training sessions on leadership skills, gender equality, effective communication, interview techniques, and financial and digital literacy. In addition to the training programme, participants developed ideas aimed at creating social impact through project development workshops and had the opportunity to apply to Aydın Doğan Foundation for micro-grant support. Selected projects will receive financial support as well as mentoring to strengthen their implementation.

12 Projects Emerging from the 2025 Camps Reached 726 Children

Following the first Young Leaders Summer Camps held in Kuşadası last year, 12 projects developed by participants were awarded a total of TRY 407,675 in micro-grant support from Aydın Doğan Foundation. Through the field activities carried out by 57 young women project implementers, the projects reached a total of 726 girls and boys across seven cities: Istanbul (Bağcılar, Bahçelievler and Ataşehir), Denizli (Tavas), Kahramanmaraş (Andırın), Van (central district and Tuşba), Konya (Ereğli), and Gümüşhane.

Within the scope of the micro-grant programme, a range of projects were successfully implemented across Türkiye. In Denizli, “Ben Pusulası” focused on talent and sports awareness, while “Bir Adım Bir Umut” provided self-care and hygiene education. In Istanbul, “Tohumdan Umuda” focused on developing emotional skills; “Soul Fire” raised awareness of women’s rights; “Küçük Kaşifler Duygularının İzinde” addressed health and hygiene; and “Hayal Et, Kur, Yönet!” focused on leadership and role models. In Kahramanmaraş, “Umut Durağı” supported the development of self-confidence, while “Mor Rehber” raised awareness of different forms of violence and bullying. In Van, “Bilimin Kızları” focused on STEM and coding, while in Konya, “Benim Renklerim” supported emotional resilience.

36-Month Project Aims to Reach 2,500 Young Women

Launched in February 2024 and running for 36 months, the “Empowered Girls, Empowered Future” project aims to promote equal opportunities for disadvantaged girls and strengthen their active citizenship and leadership skills. Across the project, the Foundation aims to reach at least 100 civil society organisations and 2,500 disadvantaged girls and young women aged 15–24. Priority continues to be given to young women and civil society organisations from regions affected by the February 2023 earthquakes.

About Aydın Doğan Foundation

For nearly 30 years, Aydın Doğan Foundation has been working to contribute to Türkiye’s development by creating social impact across a wide range of fields, primarily education, as well as culture, arts and science. The Foundation provides support and encouragement particularly for girls’ education and empowers young women on their journey towards becoming strong and independent individuals through initiatives focusing on the transition from education to employment. With this objective, it develops various projects under the umbrella of “Empowered Girls, Empowered Future.”

As a foundation whose founding philosophy embraces social and cultural development alongside economic development, Aydın Doğan Foundation believes that encouraging creativity contributes to improving society’s quality of life. Each year, it presents the Aydın Doğan Award, named after its founder, to recognise individuals and institutions that have earned national and international acclaim in fields including culture, arts and science. Through the Aydın Doğan Young Communicators Competition, organised in cooperation with the Journalists’ Association of Türkiye, the Foundation recognises the future leaders of the media, while its International Cartoon Competition honours distinguished artists in the field of cartooning.

Across all its activities, Aydın Doğan Foundation acts in accordance with the principles of inclusiveness, participation and sustainability. With the vision of being a pioneering organisation in the fields it supports, the Foundation works to create shared value and lasting social impact.