Turkish Green Crescent Society

’Green Crescent is one of the oldest and most established non-governmental organizations working in the field of addiction prevention, founded in Istanbul on March 5, 1920, by Distinguished Professor Mazhar Osman Usman and his colleagues. Originally established under the name Hilal-i Ahdar, the organization was created to protect society—particularly young people—from the harmful effects of alcohol and narcotics during and after World War I.

Guided by the principles of human dignity, ethical responsibility and scientific evidence, Green Crescent works to prevent and address tobacco, alcohol, drug, gambling, and technology addictions through a comprehensive public health approach.

The organization implements preventive education programs, youth-centered initiatives, advocacy activities, counselling services, and rehabilitation-oriented practices, while maintaining an inclusive and non-discriminatory perspective.

Green Crescent operates through 120 branches across Türkiye and extends its work internationally through the International Federation of Green Crescent (IFGC), established in 2016, which brings together 65 Country Green Crescents actively working in their respective regions. Through this structure, the organization contributes to global cooperation, capacity building, and knowledge exchange in the field of addiction prevention.

At the national level, Green Crescent maintains strong institutional cooperation with public authorities, local governments, universities, and civil society organizations, supported by 296 official cooperation protocols established between 2011 and 2026.

It is the only non-governmental organization represented in the Turkish High Council for the Fight against Addiction (BMYK), chaired by the Vice Presidents of the Republic of Türkiye, and actively participates in national and provincial action plans.

Green Crescent holds a Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and is actively involved in international policy and advocacy platforms.

It is the only NGO member of the Turkish High Council for the Fight against Addiction (BMYK), chaired by the Vice Presidents of the Republic of Türkiye, and participates in provincial and national addiction action mechanisms.

Key Areas of Expertise and Activities
1. Addiction Prevention Programs
- Green Crescent Addiction Prevention Training Program (TBM), implemented nationwide in cooperation with the Ministry of National Education
- Peer education programs through university-based Young Green Crescent clubs
- Life Skills Training Program (YYBE) and School-based Addiction Intervention Program (OBM)
2. Digital and Innovative Learning Tools
- A fully cloud-based Digital Learning Platform integrated with Türkiye’s national education system (EBA)
3. Youth and Volunteer Engagement
- Young Green Crescent volunteering network
- “My Club is Green Crescent” project for primary and secondary schools
- Youth advocacy forums, debates, camps, and awareness activities
4. Counselling and Rehabilitation Services
- 107 Green Crescent Counselling Centers (YEDAM) across Türkiye and Cyprus
- Residential rehabilitation centers operating in Diyarbakır, Bursa and Kayseri
- Psychosocial workshops supporting reintegration and skill development
5. International Advocacy and Capacity Building
- Organization of international forums, summits, and side events at UN platforms (CND, CCPCJ, ECOSOC Youth Forum, COP)
- Istanbul Initiative and International Green Crescent Capacity Building Program
- Annual International Green Crescent Journal published in 10 languages
6. Scientific Contribution
- Organization of international congresses and symposiums on addiction
- Publication of Addicta: The Turkish Journal on Addictions, indexed in international academic databases

Green Crescent is an active member of numerous international networks and alliances, including WHO-related platforms, UN-affiliated NGO committees and global addiction prevention networks, and is recognized for its strong institutional capacity, policy expertise and cross-sectoral cooperation.

Green Crescent has implemented numerous national and international projects in the fields of addiction prevention, healthy living, and education. Below, we highlight our key Erasmus+ project experiences.

Erasmus+Project Experiences:

1. Drug Addiction Awareness on Adults (DAWAP) KA220 – Lithuania, Portugal, EURAD, Türkiye (2014 2015)
Short description: Raising awareness on adult substance addiction via training and awareness tools.
Description: DAWAP aimed to raise awareness of substance addiction among adults. Activities included trainings, developing international strategies, creating awareness materials, and measuring impact.
Keywords: Health, addiction prevention, adults, awareness, non-formal learning

2. Youth Take Initiative for Healthy Living KA152 – Austria, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, Türkiye (2021 2022)
Short description: 6-day youth program on addiction prevention, volunteering, and healthy lifestyle.
Description: Young people (18 25) participated. Activities included workshops on addiction prevention, volunteering and advocacy training, sports, cultural nights, and visits to counseling centers.
Keywords: Health, youth, addiction prevention, volunteering, culture, sports

3. ESC Youth Accreditation – Türkiye (2021 2022)
Short description: Accreditation to host and support volunteers, enhance partnerships and youth experiences.
Description: Through ESC accreditation, our organization hosts volunteers to gain international experience, strengthening partnerships and cross-cultural learning while promoting addiction prevention work.
Keywords: Youth, volunteering, international cooperation, capacity-building, addiction prevention

4. Green Entrepreneurship Youth KA153 – Germany, Türkiye (2022)
Short description: Youth worker mobility to develop entrepreneurial skills.
Description: The project developed entrepreneurship skills among youth workers, fostering international collaboration and exchange of good practices.
Keywords: Youth work, entrepreneurship, capacity-building, international cooperation

5. Life is Yours, Live Healty KA153 – Ukraine, Greece, Jordan, Türkiye (2022 2023)
Short description: Youth worker mobility to promote healthy lifestyle awareness.
Description: Activities included training youth workers on promoting healthy lifestyles, workshops, and exchange of good practices.
Keywords: Health, youth work, capacity-building, awareness, addiction prevention

6. The Role of Young Volunteers in Tackling Addiction KA154 – Türkiye (2023 2024)
Short description: KA154 project with peer education, youth camp, and youth forum.
Description: Young volunteers engaged in peer education, youth camp, and youth forum activities to promote addiction prevention.
Keywords: Youth, volunteering, addiction prevention, peer education, capacity-building

7. Health in sport, Future in Life KA152 – Austria, Albania, North Macedonia, Türkiye (2023 2024)
Short description: KA152 Youth Exchange promoting health and sports.
Description: International youth exchange with sports programs and activities promoting healthy lifestyles.
Keywords: Youth, sports, health, international exchange, healthy lifestyle

8. Developing a Prevention Model Against Addiction for Migrant Youth KA220 – Norway, Germany, Türkiye (2023 ...)
Short description: KA220 project creating preventive education modules for migrant youth.
Description: Developed preventive education modules addressing addiction among migrant youth for international implementation.
Keywords: Youth, migration, addiction prevention, education, international cooperation

9. Unity in Youth: Sport, Health and Cultural Exchange KA152 – Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Jordan, Türkiye (2024-2025)
Short description: KA152 Youth Exchange promoting sports, health, and cultural awareness.
Description: International youth exchange with activities in sports, cultural exchange, and health awareness promotion.
Keywords: Youth, sports, health, cultural exchange, international cooperation

10. Adult Education Accreditation KA120 – Slovenia, Türkiye (Partner) (2023-2025)
Short description: Accreditation project including adult education and addiction-focused training.
Description: Activities included research on adult education institutions and addiction-focused organizations abroad, with on-the-job training visits.
Keywords: Adults, education, addiction prevention, capacity-building, international cooperation

11. Tee Natural Life KA152 – Türkiye (Partner) (2024)
Short description: Participation as a project partner to support youth health initiatives.
Description: Our organization participated as a project partner promoting youth health and wellbeing initiatives.
Keywords: Youth, health, partnership, wellbeing, international cooperation

12. Addiction Awareness and Productive Digital Media Use Skills in Children under Protection KA154 – Türkiye (2025-...)
Short description: Project teaching digital skills to children in care to prevent digital addiction.
Description: Equipped children aged 13+ in care with digital skills to prevent digital addiction and promote safe digital engagement.
Keywords: Children, digital skills, addiction prevention, education, capacity-building

13. Mind Over Social Media – Innovative Training Development for Youth Workers KA220 – Malta, Serbia, Türkiye (Partner) (2025-...)
Short description: Project enhancing youth workers’ capacity to manage social media addiction.
Description: Strengthened youth workers’ competencies in managing social media addiction through training, field research, and digital learning platforms.
Keywords: Youth, digital skills, addiction prevention, social media, capacity-building

In addition, we currently have projects in the application and evaluation phases.