On this page

1. Policy/legal framework

2. Main inclusive Youth-Work programmes and target groups

3. Youth work providers in the field of social inclusion for young people

4. Training and support for youth workers engaged in social inclusion programmes

5. Financial support

6. Quality assurance

Policy/legal framework

Youth work in Türkiye is addressed mainly under the mandate of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and its affiliated structures. The overall legal and policy basis for youth work is described under the Youth Wiki youth work chapter (10.2 Administration and governance of youth work: Youth Wiki – 10.2).

Within the Disadvantaged Young People and Social Inclusion main political area of the National Youth and Sports Policy Document, policies and targets related to strengthening youth participation and social inclusion are specified. 

Policies identified under this policy area include:

1. Preventing that disabled young people are subjected to social exclusion,
2. Reintegrating young people who committed a crime into society and preventing their inclination towards criminal behaviour,
3. Ensuring that young people living on the streets are integrated into society,
4. Taking preventive measures to protect young people from addictive substances and carrying out work related to the treatment of addicted young people,
5. Raising awareness among young people and other groups in society regarding disadvantaged individuals and their active participation in social adaptation processes,
6. Social inclusion of young people who migrated to cities and have adaptation problems.

At operational level, youth work services are delivered through structures such as youth centres. The operation of youth centres and related staff roles is regulated through the Youth Centres Regulation (Official Gazette, 26.05.2022): Official Gazette – Youth Centres Regulation.

Main inclusive Youth-Work programmes and target groups

A range of social inclusion activities are implemented through youth work instruments and project-based support. Civil society initiatives and youth organisations can be supported through national project schemes such as the Youth Projects Support Programme. 

At local level, youth centres provide training, socialisation opportunities, clubs and workshops that can be used by disadvantaged or socially excluded young people (Youth Centres – General Directorate of Youth Services; youth portal: GSB “Gençiz” – Youth Centres).

In addition, intercultural and social cohesion-oriented mobility/interaction activities have been implemented through initiatives such as the “Cities and Cultures” project (example provincial announcement describing the aim/format and 14–29 age group: İstanbul Provincial Directorate – Cities and Cultures).

Youth work providers in the field of social inclusion for young people

The main public actor and provider of youth work in Türkiye is the Ministry of Youth and Sports, through its central units and provincial directorates, as well as youth centres at local level (youth centres overview: Youth Centres).

In addition, other public institutions contribute to social inclusion outcomes via education, vocational pathways and social support measures (e.g. Ministry of National Education; Ministry of Labour and Social Security and affiliated bodies such as İŞKUR; and other relevant public institutions depending on the target group). Civil society organisations working on disadvantaged groups, youth participation and inclusion are also important stakeholders and implementers, often through project-based cooperation and support schemes such as the Youth Projects Support Programme.

Training and support for youth workers engaged in social inclusion programmes

Main personnel sources for youth work contributing to social inclusion include youth leaders, youth workers and relevant professional staff working in public services and/or civil society (e.g. social workers, psychologists, sociologists and related profiles depending on programme design). Youth centres’ staff roles and responsibilities are set out in the Youth Centres Regulation (Official Gazette): Official Gazette – Youth Centres Regulation.

Youth workers also carry out social inclusion-related activities within the civil society sector through projects and local initiatives supported under national schemes (e.g. Youth Projects Support Programme).

Financial support

Social inclusion policies and activities for youth are funded mainly through allocations from the central budget to the responsible ministries and institutions. In addition, project-based youth work initiatives (including those addressing social inclusion) may receive national support through programmes such as the Youth Projects Support Programme and related project support mechanisms (GSB – Project Supports).

Quality assurance

Policy documents, strategy documents and action plans regarding youth social inclusion are linked to monitoring and evaluation approaches. Public reporting tools such as annual Activity Reports and Performance Programmes support monitoring and evaluation of targets, indicators and implementation results (Ministry repository pages: GSB – Activity Reports and GSB – Performance Programmes).