YAKA Derneği

YAKA Derneği is a youth-focused civil society organisation based in İzmir, Türkiye, established to promote equal access to rights, opportunities and international learning experiences for young people and youth workers. Guided by the motto “Different Shores, Shared Future,” YAKA brings together people from different backgrounds to learn, participate, cooperate and contribute to positive change in their communities.

The organisation primarily works with young people aged 15–35, with particular attention to those facing social, economic, geographical or other barriers to participation. YAKA also works with youth workers, volunteers, civil society organisations and other stakeholders involved in youth development and community engagement.

YAKA’s work is structured around four main areas:
Youth, Learning & Development
Mobility, Volunteering & International Cooperation
Rights & Active Participation
Sustainability, Climate & Resilient Communities

Through these areas, the organisation aims to strengthen young people’s knowledge, skills and leadership capacities, improve their access to learning and mobility opportunities, encourage their meaningful participation in decision-making and community life, and support their development as active citizens.

YAKA applies participatory and non-formal learning approaches and seeks to involve young people not only as beneficiaries but also as active contributors to the design and implementation of activities. Its work is guided by the principles of equality and non-discrimination, inclusion, participation, safe learning environments, transparency, solidarity and sustainability.

With a strong European and international orientation, YAKA seeks to develop long-term partnerships with civil society organisations, educational institutions, public authorities and other stakeholders in Türkiye and abroad. The organisation is particularly interested in cooperation within Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), and other European and international programmes that contribute to youth participation, inclusion, intercultural learning, volunteering and international cooperation.

Although YAKA is a newly established organisation, its team brings practical experience in youth work, European programmes, international volunteering, project development, partnership building, communication and dissemination. YAKA aims to combine this experience with a fresh organisational structure to develop meaningful, inclusive and sustainable initiatives at local, national and international levels.