From the field.

KOZ-DER Joins the DYPALL Network

KOZ-DER is now a proud member of DYPALL Network, a European network promoting youth participation in decision-making at the local level.

Kilis

This Week at KOZ-DER Speaking Club: Artificial Intelligence

At this week's KOZ-DER Speaking Club, participants discussed artificial intelligence in English and shared their views on the role of technology in our lives.

Kilis

This Week at KOZ-DER Speaking Club: Marriage

At this week's KOZ-DER Speaking Club, participants practised English while discussing different perspectives on marriage, relationships, family and cultural expectations.

Kilis

Our Green Skills Bridge: Waste, Labour and Rights Project Has Been Awarded Support

Our project “Green Skills Bridge: Waste, Labour and Rights”, prepared under the Sivil Düşün “Let’s Close the Gap” Special Support scheme, has been awarded funding. In Kilis, we will work with young people aged 18-30 on the environment, labour rights and reuse.

Kilis, Türkiye

No More Walls, Europe Calls Project Completed with a Youthpass Ceremony

The No More Walls, Europe Calls Erasmus+ Youth Exchange Project, which brought together 25 young people from Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Bulgaria, was completed with a ceremony where Youthpass certificates were presented to the participants.

Erasmus+ Participants Experienced Grape Harvesting in Duruca Village

Within the scope of the No More Walls, Europe Calls Youth Exchange Project, participants joined a grape harvesting and drying activity in Duruca Village, Kilis, and experienced local production culture through practice.

We Explored the History of Kilis with No More Walls, Europe Calls

Within the scope of the No More Walls, Europe Calls Youth Exchange Project, 25 participants from four countries visited historical and cultural sites in Kilis and explored the city’s cultural heritage.

Cultures of Four Countries Came Together in Kilis within the No More Walls, Europe Calls Project

Within the scope of the No More Walls, Europe Calls Youth Exchange Project, participants from Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia and Türkiye came together in Kilis during the cultural night and traditional sıra night.

“No More Walls, Europe Calls” Project Delegation Visits Provincial Director Mustafa Ertunç

The delegation of the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project “No More Walls, Europe Calls” visited Kilis Provincial Director of Youth and Sports Mustafa Ertunç to discuss the project process, youth work and possible future cooperation.

International Friendship and Cooperation Meeting in Kilis

Within the scope of the No More Walls, Europe Calls project, Kilis Mayor Hakan Bilecen was visited to discuss international cooperation, youth work and friendship ties between Kilis and Madan.

International Delegation Visits Kilis City Council

Within the scope of the No More Walls, Europe Calls project, our international delegation visited Kilis City Council to discuss youth work, local participation, intercultural activities and possible future joint projects.

Gaziantep Cultural Trip Held within the Scope of the No More Walls, Europe Calls Project

Within the scope of the No More Walls, Europe Calls Erasmus+ project, participants visited historical and cultural sites in Gaziantep and explored the city’s rich heritage.

No More Walls, Europe Calls Participants Visit İstasyon Gaziantep

Participants of the No More Walls, Europe Calls Youth Exchange Project visited İstasyon Gaziantep, which works in the fields of entrepreneurship and digital transformation, and learned about its working model, project development activities and cooperation approach.

Rectorate Visit Held within the Scope of the No More Walls, Europe Calls Project

Within the scope of the Erasmus+ project No More Walls, Europe Calls by Children with Special Needs, a visit was held to the Rectorate of Kilis 7 Aralık University to discuss hosting, existing cooperation and future project partnerships.

KOZ-DER Joined the Young European Shapers Network

As KOZ-DER, we have joined the Young European Shapers network, which supports stronger youth representation and participation at the European level.

KOZ-DER Was Represented at the Bridges for Futures-2 Project in Bremen, Germany

Our Vice President Halil ÖZKARACA represented KOZ-DER at the Bridges for Futures-2 project hosted by NaturKultur e.V. in Bremen, Germany between 2-8 August 2026 and established new international partnerships.

KOZ-DER Delegation Pays a Courtesy Visit to Kilis Governor Ömer Kalaylı

KOZ-DER President Mevlide Özkaraca and board members paid a courtesy visit to Kilis Governor Ömer Kalaylı and shared information about the association’s youth, technology, mind games and coding activities.

Speaking Club Held Its First Session

The first session of our Speaking Club, launched for volunteers who want to practice English, drew great interest.

Dernek Merkezi

Our Istanbul Volunteer Meetup Took Place

In Istanbul we came together with our volunteers, alumni and young people interested in new projects — a lovely evening of sharing ESC and Erasmus+ experiences.

Espresso Lab Mecidiyeköy, İstanbul

Highlights from the Civil Voices Festival and Ankara Volunteer Meetup

As KOZ-DER, we participated in the Civil Voices Festival in Ankara, met with our volunteers, introduced our projects, shared experiences and connected with new volunteer candidates.

Ankara

Kilis Mind Games and Robotic Coding Festival Held within the Scope of PRODES

The Kilis Mind Games and Robotic Coding Festival project, supported by the Ministry of Interior under PRODES with a grant of 362,000 TL, was completed in 2025 after a 6-month implementation period, with mind games and robotic coding trainings for primary, secondary and high school students followed by a festival, tournaments, Kahoot competitions and an award ceremony.

Mind Games, Digitalisation and Disaster Awareness Project Completed

Supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Türkiye, the Mind Games, Digitalisation and Disaster Awareness project was completed with trainings, tournaments, Kahoot activities, cultural trips, disaster awareness sessions and digital skills workshops.

Young People Explore Göbeklitepe, Halfeti and Balıklıgöl

Following the training activities of the Ministry of Youth and Sports-supported project, young people visited Göbeklitepe, Halfeti and Balıklıgöl to explore the region’s natural and cultural heritage together.

Göbeklitepe, Halfeti ve Balıklıgöl

Young People Build Their Robots with SPIKE Prime

As part of the Ministry of Youth and Sports-supported project, trainer Sami Özkan guided robotics and coding sessions where young people explored SPIKE Prime and built their own robots.

Kilis

Psychosocial Support Training Strengthens Young People’s Resilience

As part of the Ministry of Youth and Sports-supported project, Specialist Psychological Counsellor Cevher Çetin delivered psychosocial support training and group activities to support earthquake-affected young people’s resilience.

Kilis

Young People Come Together for Mind Games Training and Tournaments

As part of the Ministry of Youth and Sports-supported project, young people took part in mind games training and tournaments with contributions from trainers Mevlide Özkaraca and Özlem Çiloğlu.

Kilis

Disaster Awareness Training for 160 Young People in Cooperation with AFAD

As part of the Ministry of Youth and Sports-supported Mind Games, Digitalisation and Disaster Awareness project, 160 young people received training on what to do before, during and after a disaster in cooperation with AFAD.

Kilis

Life for PRR Project Brought Young People Together for Sustainability in Kilis

Held in Kilis between 3-10 July 2025, the Life for PRR project brought together young people from Türkiye, Bulgaria, Italy, Romania, Poland and Croatia around environmental awareness, recycling, sustainable living, local production and intercultural learning.