Little Hands for a Greener Future

Genc Basari

Think Human Fund

Mission & History

The Junior Achievement was founded in 1916. with the purpose to implement economy programs by creating a bridge between the business world and education, to raise awareness of young people with these programs and to instill an entrepreneurial spirit in them. This program is implemented in many countries. Children who study for a certain period of time receive a certificate that is valid in 120 countries, and then they exhibit studies related to entrepreneurship.

Work is carried out with the student clubs of various high schools in Turkey. Among these high schools, Kabataş Boys’ High School is the oldest and founding member.

Since its establishment, pilot studies have been initiated in willing schools, programs and course materials have been translated into Turkish, and on the other hand, a foundation has been established for the purpose of institutionalization. In March 1999, the Young Achievement Education Foundation was formalized.

Young Achievement Turkey operates under the Central and Eastern Europe Region within the International Junior Achievement Organization. 

Country Information

Turkiye is increasingly affected by climate change, facing droughts, floods, and biodiversity loss. With over 18 million students in primary and secondary schools, climate education is still developing. Turkiye has committed to net-zero emissions by 2053, and youth-focused educational projects are key to building environmental awareness and action.

The Need

The project addresses the gap in environmental awareness and climate education among children, many of whom have a limited understanding of sustainability and the impact of their daily actions on the planet.

The Project We Fund

This project seeks to address the escalating concerns surrounding climate change and environmental degradation by educating primary school students about sustainability, environmental responsibility, and climate action. Through engaging workshops, hands-on activities, and a collective tree-planting event, the project aims to heighten awareness and empower young minds to engage in positive environmental actions. It helps children grasp their role in protecting the planet and offers tangible solutions for mitigating climate change. Additionally, the project provides online training to primary and secondary school students on sustainability, climate awareness, and ecological living. Following the training, events will be organized in Istanbul and Izmir, featuring workshops and tree-planting activities. This plan will be renewed annually and is set to continue for two years.

The Result

The impact of the project will be tracked through pre- and post-project surveys to assess students’ knowledge and attitudes toward climate change and sustainability. Indicators such as participation rates in activities, the number of trees planted, and visual documentation (photos/videos) will be utilized. In the long term, the project aims to observe behavioral changes in schools, like increased recycling or gardening activities. Teachers will also offer qualitative feedback on students’ engagement and learning.

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