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1. Legal/policy framework for the functioning and development of youth organisations

2. Public financial support

3. Initiatives to increase the diversity of participants

Legal/policy framework for the functioning and development of youth organisations

Although there is no specific legal definition for “youth NGOs” as a separate category in Türkiye, young people have the right to found and join associations under the Law on Associations No. 5253. Article 3 (“Right to Found an Association”) states that real and legal entities with legal capacity may establish associations without prior authorisation, while specific restrictions may apply to certain groups (e.g. members of the armed forces, law enforcement and some public officials) under special laws.

The Law also foresees a framework for child associations: minors over 15 who have the power of discernment may establish or become members of child associations with written permission of their legal representatives; minors over 12 may become members, but cannot be assigned to executive or auditing boards (Law on Associations No. 5253).

In addition, the Presidential Decree No. 1 on the Presidential Organisation includes provisions regarding the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ administrative responsibilities (full text: Presidential Decree No. 1).

Public financial support

There are various grant programmes that support NGOs financially in Türkiye. Key examples include:

• The Ministry of Youth and Sports Youth Projects Support Programme, which is a national support fund for youth work and youth-focused projects.
• The Ministry of Interior’s support mechanism for associations via PRODES (Project Support System), under which associations can apply online for project-based financial support from the public budget.
• Project supports and calls launched under the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ project support mechanisms (overview: GSB – Project Supports).
• Development Agencies’ financial and technical support programmes (national overview: Development Agencies).
• European Union funding opportunities relevant to youth organisations, including Erasmus+.

Shortly after its establishment, the Ministry of Youth and Sports published the regulation governing project support programmes. The purpose of this regulation is to support young people’s personal and social development, enable them to realise their potential, increase their participation in decision-making and implementation processes and social life, facilitate access to youth and sports services, and support innovative ideas through project support programmes (official legal text: Ministry of Youth and Sports Project Regulation).

According to the Ministry’s official information, between 2012 and 2020, a total of 13 Youth Projects Support Programme calls were launched and 5,114 projects were supported (GSB – Project Supports).

Initiatives to increase the diversity of participants

There are many local, regional and national activities supporting young people’s active participation in social life in Türkiye. Through project-based mechanisms—particularly the Youth Projects Support Programme—calls and supported projects have aimed to reach young people who are less represented in participation mechanisms, including those living in underdeveloped regions and those facing social or economic disadvantages.

In addition, national-level platforms such as PRODES provide an online application channel for associations across Türkiye, which can help broaden access to public support mechanisms beyond major metropolitan areas.