Every single day you spend with a person to make their day better, every moment of teaching someone something new, every step you take to make the world more livable for all – you make a change in someone’s life. This change may seem small to you, but could mean the world to them. That feeling of being a part of something that is bigger than you not only humbles oneself but also gives an incredible feeling of contentment. Every time you volunteer, you understand and empathize with a different life. Through volunteering, you break boundaries and destroy the walls we’ve created which dehumanizs others. You gain a unique perspective, become more aware of your surroundings and have a life-changing experience.
Learning new things, getting out of your comfort zone, meeting new people, and trying to understand others is not easy work. We hope that this guide will motivate you to volunteer with at least one of these projects trying their best to make a difference. As Barack Obama famously says, “Ordinary people can do extraordinary things when they come together for a purpose.”
Istanbul&I
Istanbul&I is an organization made up of young volunteers from all over the world dedicated to helping create a better community, one project at a time. They struggle for better living standards in the streets of Istanbul, with a mission to create a safer, more inclusive community.
Along with the voluntary projects, the organization also has social inclusion projects such as their book club, comedy fundraisers and study groups. These projects not only provide basic needs but also create a loving and supportive environment disadvantaged communities. Istanbul&I supports everyone without discrimination. You can collaborate, volunteer, fund projects and donate with Istanbul&I. For more information and possibilities to be a part of Istanbul&I, be sure to keep up with their official website, Facebook page, and Instagram account.
Address: Akçe Han 3rd Floor, Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa Mahallesi, Akçe Sk. No:18
Phone: –
Mail: istanbulandi@gmail.com
Best Buddies
Best Buddies is a global organization dedicated to helping adults and children with mental and developmental disabilities. Their main project is the voluntary buddy project.
Volunteers partner with a disabled person based on gender, age, accommodation, and interests. Partners befriend each other and spend time together through different activities such as going to the cinema, the park or having a delicious meal together. After a few meetings and training, you get to finally match with your partner. As a volunteer, you can help a disabled person with integration, self-confidence and overall you can make them feel better. For more information, check out the official website.
Address: Barbaros Mahallesi Fesleğen St. No:10 Batı Ataşehir/İstanbul/Türkiye
Phone: 0216 688 31 53
Mail: turkey@bestbuddies.org
P.S: Basic Turkish may be required.
Rehber Köpekler Derneği
Rehber Köpekler Derneği (Guide Dogs Association) is an international association helping visually impaired people gain confidence, be more active in everyday life and be independent. With the help of volunteers, it is not only raising consciousness for the vitality of guide dogs in Turkey but also training dogs to become guide dogs. Life is harder for people with disabilities in Turkey, and especially in a crowded city like Istanbul. To help, you can volunteer by becoming a puppy walker family, or simply donating. Check out the official website, Facebook page, and Instagram.
Address: Levazım Mah. Koru Sok.No:2 Zorlu Center 34340 Beşiktaş – İstanbul
Phone: 0555 084 10 20
Mail: info@rehberkopeklerdernegi.org
BEDES
BEDES (Beykoz Eğitime Destek Derneği) is an organization providing education through voluntary, one-on-one lessons, summer schools and providing scholarships for kids in need. It also supports the education of these kids’ families through reading groups. Believing everyone has a right to be educated, its aim is to create visionary, open-minded generations through valuable education. You can volunteer by becoming a teacher, leading a reading group or donating. Check out the official website and Instagram for more information.
Address: Çubuklu mah. Vatan Cad. Öztürk Sok. No:33/2, Kavacık/İstanbul
Phone: 0216 485 36 01
Mail: bedesyonetim@yahoo.com.tr
TEGV Türkiye Eğitim Gönüllüleri Vakfı
Türkiye Eğitim Gönüllüleri Vakfı is a foundation aiming to show kids the power of education and engrain in the courage to change the world. TEGV has volunteers all over Turkey helping change the future through educating. To volunteer, you can first fill out the application form and start teaching after you get extensive training. Education is vital for a bright future and in a world becoming more and more integrated, learning English has become incredibly important. To change a child’s life and future forever, you can visit the official website or donate to help with their projects.
Address: Acıbadem Cd. Rauf Paşa Hanı Sk. No:4234660 Acıbadem, İstanbul
Phone: 0216 290 70 00
Mail: tegv@tegv.org
Huzursuz İhtiyar- Beykoz Orman Beslemesi
Beykoz Orman Beslemesi is a voluntary project that is solely dependent on new and returning volunteers every week. Its aim is to provide abandoned stray dogs in the Beykoz forest food, shelter, and love. They meet every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at 12.00 at the Kavacık Bağ Pastanesi and ride a car through the forest to feed the dogs waiting for them. If you love animals, you can help by providing dog food or volunteering to feed them. For more information, check out the official website and Instagram.
Address: Kavacık Mahallesi, Cumhuriyet Cad. No:2, 34805 Beykoz/İstanbul – Asya (Kavacık Bağ Pastanesi )
Phone: 0532 630 53 99 (Ramazan Ölçer)
Small Projects Istanbul
Small Projects Istanbul is an independent community center working to ensure the Syrian community in Istanbul is socially and economically integrated. The community believes that everyone deserves a life without discrimination. It is now helping the Syrian community in Istanbul trying to rebuild their lives through various workshops focused on education, art, sports, and social integration. To help, you can volunteer in their countless projects or donate. Visit the official website, Instagram, and Facebook page.
Address: Mevlanakapı Mahallesi Karabaş Bostani Sk No:4 – 34104 Fatih/Istanbul Turkey
Mail: webmaster@smallprojectsistanbul.org
Tarlabaşı Community Centre
Tarlabaşı Community Centre (TTM) is an organization established in 2006, with the aim of providing financial, social and psychological support to the people of Tarlabaşı living in unprivileged conditions. Run by the Tarlabaşı Community Support Association, they help through a range of events and workshops supporting the psychological and educational needs of children, such as the monthly Sparkling Children Magazine. If you enjoy working with kids, you can volunteer or learn more about the project.
Address: Çukur Mahallesi Zerdali Sokak No.9 Tarlabaşı-Beyoğlu-İstanbul
Phone: 0212 297 23 05
Mail: iletisim@tarlabasi.org
Turkey Volunteers
Turkey Volunteers is a volunteer-based charity working to improve the living standards of Syrian refugees in Turkey, focusing on the importance of education by collecting and distributing resources that support creating a better environment for learning. Turkey Volunteers help fund education, collect goods, and make minor home repairs for Syrian citizens who live in disadvantaged positions. Do not forget that ordinary people can make a huge difference and you can help by donating goods and money, and volunteering. If you want to learn more, check out the official website and blog.
Work Away Turkey
Work Away Turkey aims to build a global community of travelers and break down walls. They have many opportunities to experience rural and urban life in Turkey. You get to pick an experience, stay with a host and do volunteer work like helping a family practice English, farming or even learning something different like building a boat. It is not entirely built around volunteering, but experiencing something unique is definite. To keep up with their projects, you can check out their website, Instagram and Facebook page.
Çorbada Tuzun Olsun Derneği
Çorbada Tuzun Olsun Derneği is an organization made up of dedicated volunteers. Its aim is to stop discrimination against homeless people and teach public empathy towards the homeless. Especially focused on the homeless people on the streets of Istanbul, they have projects ranging from distributing soup every day and attending/organizing informative events about being homeless. To volunteer, you can check the official website.
Address: Cihangir Mahallesi, Başkurt Sk. No:14, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Phone: 0212 243 36 11
Mail: info@corbadatuzunolsun.org
Cihangir Cool For Cats
Cihangir Cool For Cats is a volunteer group/network dedicated to helping street animals in İstanbul. It aims to end the ignorance and cruelty against the street animals. The network mainly relies on donations and adoptions. The group was started by Hilary Sable, a retired English teacher living in İstanbul. Although Cihangir locals already help stray cats, this movement has sparked special attention to stray cats, now being made up of more than 4000 volunteers. They work hard to provide shelter, food, and love for stray cats of Istanbul. If you are interested in volunteering or donating, check out the official Facebook page.
Onar Istanbul
Onar is a community of mainly foreign women living in Istanbul. They are made up of women with an awareness of the need for a social network to provide safety and support for foreign women. ONAR is made up of different communities in various fields coming together for a joint cause. Offering Turkish language courses, legal seminars, and workshops, the organization needs the support and compassion of all dedicated to volunteer. To be a part of ONAR, check out the official website and Facebook page.
The Yücel Foundation
The Yücel Foundation is a youth movement creating an environment for cross-cultural communication. Their aim is to improve all humanity. They currently need volunteers to help translate their website and contribute to English speaking practice days. The activities the foundation offers range from seminars to festivals, mainly focusing on the importance of art and supporting diversity. You can become a member to volunteer, be a culture hunter or take part in their activities.
Address: Bağdat Cad. No: 15 Keylan İş Merkezi 2/8, Kızıltoprak, Kadıköy, İstanbul
Phone: 0216 363 45 97
Mail: info@yucelkulturvakfi.org
