Aydın Doğan Foundation received a grant of 700 thousand Euros from the European Union for its ‘Empowered Girls, Empowered Futures’ project

Aydın Doğan Foundation was awarded 700,000 Euros from the European Union for its ‘Empowered Girls, Empowered Futures’ project, which aims to promote equal opportunities for disadvantaged girls, empower them with active citizenship and leadership skills, and build the capacities of civil society organisations that are working to achieve these goals.

The 36-month long project aims to reach at least 100 civil society organisations (CSOs) and 2500 disadvantaged girls and young women between the ages of 15-24, prioritising CSOs and girls in the regions affected by the earthquake that took place in February.

The ‘Empowered Girls, Empowered Futures’ project, which will be implemented by Aydın Doğan Foundation within the scope of the European Union Programme for Support to Rights-Based CSOs Working on Social Inclusion and Youth, is launched as of 1st February. The project, which will last for 36 months, aims at promoting equal opportunities for disadvantaged girls, empowering them with active citizenship and leadership skills, and building the capacities of civil society organisations engaged in this field.

The project will first develop an e-learning programme based on a needs analysis, with concrete actions and indicators sensitive to gender equality, and equipped with innovative learning materials such as games and animation. Following this, through the Multiplier Trainings to be organised, CSOs engaged in empowerment of disadvantaged youth will be supported to increase their existing capacities on issues such as empowerment of girls and young women, gender equality, designing work with disadvantaged youth and implementing learning programmes/activities for youth.

Upon completion of the Multiplier Trainings, the participants will design and implement workshop programmes for disadvantaged girls in various areas such as health, safe, equal, equitable and peaceful learning spaces, youth participation, children's and young people's rights in the light of the knowledge and methods they have acquired.

CSOs and girls in the earthquake-affected region will be prioritised

Stakeholder consultation workshops, Girls' Day event, youth camps, small grant support programmes will be organised to raise the awareness of civil society, public and private sector stakeholders, enhance inter-sectoral dialogue, and advocate for gender equality and social inclusion more effectively. Platforms such as e-learning and alumni communication network will be developed; and visibility of all these activities will be promoted through newsletters and social media posts.

Civil society organisations and girls in the regions affected by the February 2023 earthquakes will be prioritised and encouraged to participate in the ‘Empowered Girls, Empowered Futures project, which aims to reach out to at least 100 CSOs and 2500 disadvantaged girls between the ages of 15-24.

Arzuhan Doğan Yalçındağ: ‘We are taking our experience in gender equality one step further’

Arzuhan Doğan Yalçındağ, Chairwoman of the Aydın Doğan Foundation Board of Directors, said: ‘For more than a quarter of a century, Aydın Doğan Foundation has been carrying out projects in education, arts, culture, and science for a brighter future and a happier society. We provide support to ensure girls participate equally and retain in education, increase their self-confidence by helping them develop their vision, and build life skills and a better future. With the motto ‘Empowered Girls, Empowered Futures’, we encourage girls to fulfill their dreams and stand by them at every stage of their educational lives. So far we have gained remarkable experiences with our work in the field of gender equality and inclusion. Now,  with this project, which we will carry out within the scope of the European Union Support Programme for Rights-Based NGOs Working on Social Inclusion and Youth.’, we are taking our experience in this field one step further.