2020–2021 BTF Empowerment Scholarships and Enablement Projects
BTF is devoted to generating philanthropic resources to contribute to the welfare of socio-economically disadvantaged segments of Turkish society with a special emphasis in children’s education and well-being. BTF encourages donors across the US and the globe to actively participate in Turkey’s progress by supporting the relevant work being carried out by trusted local partners.
BTF’s 3 methods for supporting education in Turkey:
* BTF Empowerment Scholarships: Yearly and monthly options to support disadvantaged students
*BTF Enablement Projects: Unique projects that are initiated with trusted partners.
*BTF 4 Kids Educational Projects: Classroom supplies to support students’ learning and improve teacher effectiveness.
To this day BTF has provided yearly scholarships to over 6,000 students from under-served regions of Turkey, and over 1,000 BTF 4Kids Educational projects. Our aid to education in Turkey totals $5M in investment funds.
BTF has supported hundreds of projects in Turkey via investment grants totaling over $5M all benefiting under-served children in Turkey.
BTF’s commitment to make a difference and to improve the lives of the less fortunate children stems from the belief that education, especially giving equal opportunities in education, is the most valuable gift to give to children.
1. BTF EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS IN TURKIYE
Empowerment Scholarships Programs are about creating opportunities. Opportunities to become a doctor, teacher, scientist, or a business leader. BTF provides life-changing opportunities for underprivileged students in Turkey through the gift of an education.
BTF established a bridge between donors around the world and trusted partners in Turkey, benefiting socio-economically disadvantaged students. BTF works with many partners to provide scholarships, university and high school alumni associations, foundations, and platforms.
BTF — Ahbap Platform Scholarships: $40 monthly
Founded by Haluk Levent, Ahbap Platform provides help to all in need through scholarships, climate activism, and disaster relief. BTF sponsored 40 students who are affected in Elazig Earthquake and continues to support university students’ education with Ahbap Platform.
BTF — BALEV Scholarships: $250 yearly
BTF is providing need-based scholarships to students studying in Bornova Anadolu Lisesi (high school) in Izmir.
BTF — BİLKENT UNIVERSITY Scholarships: $55 monthly
Bilkent University is the first non-profit private university founded in 1984 to create a center of excellence in higher education and research. BTF provide need based scholarships for young women and men with high grade point averages.
BTF — BOĞAZİÇİ UNIVERSITY Scholarships: $55 monthly
Boğaziçi Üniversitesi is a major research university with the highest scoring students in Istanbul. It was founded in 1863. BTF scholarships are awarded to students with recognized academic achievement or financial need.
BTF — ÇYDD Scholarships: $40 monthly
The Association for Supporting Contemporary Life provides scholarships across Turkey with BTF for university girls’ education in order to promote gender equality.
BTF — DARÜŞŞAFAKA Scholarships: $60 monthly
Darüşşafaka Association, the first non-governmental organization in the field of education, founded in 1863 with the mission of providing “equity in education.”, Darüşşafaka provides scholarships to bright and talented children who have lost one or more of their parents and who have limited financial resources.
BTF — HACETTEPE UNIVERSITY Scholarships: $40 monthly
Hacettepe University was established in 1967 and is a leading state university in medical fields. BTF provides scholarships based on students’ academic performances and financial situations.
BTF — İZMİR FEN LİSESİ Scholarships: $500 yearly
BTF is providing need-based scholarships to students studying in Izmir Fen Lisesi (high school).
BTF — METU/ODTÜ Scholarships: $60 monthly
Middle East Technical University is a public technical university with special emphasis on research and education in engineering and natural sciences. It is located in Ankara, Turkey. BTF sponsors students with alumni association, ODTUMIST based on academic achievement and financial need.
BTF — PAYDA Scholarships: $45 monthly
BTF-PAYDA awards education scholarships to university and high school female students who have academic potential but experience difficulties in continuing their education due to financial hardships. Scholarships aim to keep the girls in school until they complete their university education. PAYDA establishes a one-on-one mentorship with students and their families starting in elementary school until their university graduation.
BTF — TED Scholarships: $50 monthly
TED Ankara College Foundation Schools is a group of private schools in Turkey. After the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, with Atatürk’s guidance, the Turkish Education Association, TED was founded in 1928. BTF-TED scholarships are based on a need and merit basis.
2. BTF ENABLEMENT PROJECTS
BTF works with various trusted partners to enable students with various development projects and enriching experiences.
BTF — BİLİMLER KÖYÜ Projects
The Sciences Village is a unique institution to give lectures to university and graduate students aimed to support scientific education, develop critical thinking skills, and to popularize the sciences.
BTF — BOLLUCA VILLAGE Projects
Koruncuk Foundation, which has been providing services for children in need of assistance for 41 years, focuses on girls in secondary and high school who cannot continue their education due to socioeconomic difficulties. Students will receive support through free accommodation, study services, transportation, and social and cultural activities.
BTF — 1DİLEK Yetmez Projects
Dilek Livaneli is the first Turkish teacher to be selected among the top 50 teachers in the world. Dilek Livaneli was nominated for the 2015 Global Teacher Prize with the initiatives in education she created to change the lives of students in Kumkoy Primary School, Samsun. BTF is currently supporting her Educational Initiatives for Rural School Children.
BTF — EAST WEST CAMP Projects
East West Camp (Dogu Bati Kampi) brings together young people working in volunteer projects in İzmir. College students from different backgrounds experience living together, learning from each other, and transcending cultural and language barriers. Every year BTF provides Youth Leaders with Scholarships so that they can attend East West Camp in Turkey.
BTF — İLKYAR Projects
Since 1978, ILKYAR supports the education of village children with relatively limited opportunities, through teaching them the excitement of reading and the motivation to continue their education at a higher level. BTF has been collaborating with İLKYAR since 2003 to support their projects which include sending books to village schools and scholarships for Rural School Children. This year, BTF is also supporting their “Curious Ambassadors of Science Project”, more information can be found here: https://www.bridgetoturkiye.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Ilkyar-MBE-Introduction.pdf
BTF — MAKE A WISH- TURKIYE Projects
Make A Wish-Turkiye is a nonprofit organization that grants the wishes of children with a critical illness between the ages of 21⁄2 and 18 years old. Every wish granted provides hope, strength and joy to a child and their family.
BTF — NESİN MATH VILLAGE Projects
Nesin Mathematics Village (Matematik Köyü) is an educational and research institute devoted to mathematics, located in Şirince, Izmir. The Nesin Mathematics Village hosts various mathematical activities, mostly two-week summer courses for high school and college students. Every year BTF provides scholarships to 25 High School students to attend the Math Camp for two weeks.
3. BTF 4KIDS EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS
BTF 4 Kids Educational Projects are resources to empower students’ learning in the classrooms. 4Kids Projects are designed to help teachers needs for educational supplies, to help make the classroom engaging and fun for students. BTF4Kids Educational projects include: Art4Kids, Books4Kids, Educational-Toys4Kids, Science4Kids, Math4Kids, Music4Kids, Gifts4Kids, and Tech4Kids. For more detailed information visit:
Join us to strengthen our grassroots efforts and community-based development projects in Turkey by supporting our affinity communities!
Founded on 2003 by Turkish Americans upon democratic citizenry and secular principles, BTF has remained true to its core principles by making a difference and improving the lives of the less fortunate children through education and well-being projects. Today, our network of donors has grown to more than 23 giving circles in the US and around the globe and has generated more than USD 5 million in philanthropic resources for projects in Turkey. Our commitment to make a difference and to improve the lives of the less fortunate children stems from our basic desire to give back to our native land and our belief that education, especially giving equal opportunities in education, is the most valuable gift to give to children.
