Sowing Season: Experience Sharing Meeting October 13, 2016

On October 13, 2016, representatives of 8 civil society organizations who completed their projects with the support from the Sabanci Foundation Social Development Grant Program convened at a meeting held at Sabanci Center in Istanbul, hosted by the Chair of the Sabanci Foundation Board of Trustees, Ms. Guler Sabanci.

At the Experience Sharing Meeting moderated by the famous journalist and broadcaster Sirin Payzin, project representatives from the Child Association, Association of Persons with Visual Impairments in Education, Down Syndrome Association, Life, Women, Environment, Culture and Management Cooperative, Mus Women’s Roof Association, Mardin Culture Association, Social Rights and Research Association and Tarlabasi Community Center Association shared their project outcomes, project experiences, plans for the future as well as the stories of project beneficiaries.

In her opening speech, the Chair of the Sabanci Foundation Board of Trustees, Ms. Guler Sabanci, emphasized that Sabanci Foundation has been working for 42 years to contribute to education, cultural and social development and to make a difference in people’s lives. Ms. Sabanci continued “Sabanci Foundation was restructured in 2006 and we started our new strategy by developing the Grant Programs where we support civil society organizations to help them work more effectively and make a bigger impact. We not only provide grants but also share our knowledge and experiences via the Grant Program. Power is not about money; it is about working effectively.”

Stating that they have been working to support and strengthen the civil society in Turkey, Ms. Sabanci continued “We support the projects of civil society organizations which promote social participation and equal access to social and economic opportunities for women, youth and persons with disabilities. It is very important for the future of our country that civil society organizations can work effectively.”

Emphasizing that they have touched the lives of more than 700 thousand people in 72 provinces of Turkey, Ms. Sabanci added “These changing and transforming lives bring us faith and power that each obstacle can be overcome. October is the month of sowing. Today, we set out on a new journey. We are very happy to make a new start on such a day and see the amazing results of our work.”

Following the opening speech, success stories of projects in the Sabanci Foundation Grant Program were shared with participants, public, and the media. Participants then answered the questions raised by media members and the audience.

Prior to this meeting, on October 12, 2016, project representatives of Sabanci Foundation Grant Program 2015 convened at a workshop to share experiences during their project implementation period.

Please click here for the book “Sowing Season Grant Program Stories” which shares the stories of projects implemented with the support of Sabanci Foundation.