Fully Funded Volunteering Opportunity in Türkiye, Ankara 2026

Fully Funded Volunteering Opportunity in Türkiye, Ankara 2026 : If you are a young man or woman between 18 and 30 years old and you dream of traveling to Europe and gaining real international experience working with children and youth through sports and non-formal activities, then the project “Our Future Is Now” in Ankara, Türkiye is exactly the kind of opportunity that does not come around often.

The project is organized by GENCSEN Kulübü Derneği in the Turkish capital Ankara, within the framework of the European Solidarity Corps program. It hosts volunteers from European countries and neighboring countries, providing free accommodation, a monthly allowance, and flight tickets according to travel distance, in addition to covering transport costs related to project activities.

This is not just a “volunteering trip”, but a comprehensive experience that combines volunteering, building an international network, and learning practical skills that will strengthen your CV and your future chances for scholarships and international jobs.

You can also explore the Turkey Government Scholarship (Türkiye Bursları)

An Overview of the “Our Future Is Now” Project in Ankara

“Our Future Is Now” is a short-term volunteering project that hosts young people from different countries in the city of Ankara with the aim of:

• Creating a real meeting space between local youth, refugees, and international volunteers.
• Using sports and physical activities as a tool to break cultural barriers.
• Promoting values of tolerance and intercultural understanding.
• Reducing children’s and young people’s dependence on phones and digital devices through interactive, in-person activities.

The project focuses on making sport a tool for education and building social peace, not just a physical activity. Through daily activities, participants learn how a simple exercise or group game can turn into a space for learning, dialogue, and positive change.

For regular updates on scholarships and academic opportunities, follow our official platforms:

Duration and Location – Six Weeks in the Heart of the Turkish Capital

This program is implemented over six weeks during the period approximately from 15 November to 31 December 2025, at the GENCSEN club premises located in Kültür Mahallesi, Yüksel Street, No. 39/7, Çankaya district – Ankara, according to the information published on the European Youth Portal.

This means you will be in the heart of the Turkish capital, close to public transport, cafés, shopping areas, and cultural centers, which makes the volunteering experience a mix of community work and discovering the city and learning about Turkish lifestyle up close.

Funding and Benefits – What Exactly Does the Project Cover?

The main question young people ask about such opportunities is simple: Is it really fully funded?

According to the official information published about the project within the European Solidarity Corps, volunteers receive a comprehensive support package that includes:

• Free accommodation:
  Stay in fully furnished apartments in central Ankara, shared with other volunteers in the same program.

• Food allowance and pocket money (Pocket Money + Food Allowance):
  The volunteer receives a monthly amount that covers food expenses and daily needs, in line with the European Solidarity Corps funding rules in Türkiye.

• Flight tickets:
  The program covers travel tickets from your country of residence to Türkiye and back, based on the distance band system adopted by the European Solidarity Corps.

• Transport related to activities:
  Coverage of transport costs needed to participate in sports activities, matches, and events related to the project in and around Ankara.

• Other ESC-related benefits:
  Volunteers in European Solidarity Corps projects usually receive basic insurance coverage during the activity period, in addition to organizational support from the hosting team (orientation, follow-up, training).

At the end of the activity, the volunteer receives a Youthpass certificate, a European certificate that documents your skills in non-formal learning and youth work and is considered a strong addition to your academic and professional CV.

These benefits practically make the project a fully funded volunteering opportunity in Ankara, reducing financial pressure and allowing you to focus on learning and personal development.

You can also explore the Young Artists Forum in Istanbul – Fully Funded Opportunity

Living Environment and Daily Life in Ankara

Shared accommodation with volunteers from different countries and cultures is an essential part of the experience. In addition to daily work, you will live:

• A communal life where you share the kitchen and daily tasks with your flatmates.
• Long conversations about studies, the future, scholarships, and job opportunities.
• Cultural evenings where each person cooks a traditional dish from their country or shares music and songs from their culture.

The apartment’s central location in the city makes it easy for you to:

• Reach the club premises using public transportation.
• Visit tourist attractions in Ankara during your free time.
• Experience Turkish cuisine, from shawarma and döner to famous desserts like baklava and Turkish kunafa.

Training, Personal and Professional Development

The project is not limited to simple sports activities; it also includes a comprehensive training path, based on the description published on the European Youth Portal. Among the main topics the program focuses on:

• Child rights and protection:
  How to deal with children, protect them from harm, and the basic principles of child rights in the European and international context.

• Olympic values and sports ethics:
  Using sports as a tool to spread fair play, respect for opponents, and team spirit.

• Play-based education:
  Turning simple games into educational tools that develop communication, leadership, and concentration skills among children and youth.

• Leadership and personal development:
  Workshops that help you discover your leadership style, manage small groups, and take responsibility in the field.

• Intercultural learning and effective communication:
  How to talk with people from different cultures, deal with culture shock, misunderstandings, and differences in habits.

• Crisis management and conflict resolution:
  Simple methods to handle conflicts within the group or with younger participants and to turn conflict into a learning opportunity.

• Developing Turkish and English language skills:
  Through daily communication, in addition to gradual support in using basic expressions in both languages during activities.

At the end of the period, you receive a Youthpass certificate that documents these skills and helps you later when applying for scholarships or other programs in Europe.

Target Group – Who Can Apply?

According to the official announcement of the project, the target age group is young people from 18 to 30 years old.

The organizers are looking for volunteers who have the following qualities:

• Genuine enthusiasm for positive change and working with children and youth.
• Willingness to reduce daily dependence on phones and apps and to engage in real-life activities on the ground.
• Readiness to live and work within a culturally diverse team.
• Interest in sports or willingness to learn, even if you do not have a strong sports background.
• Openness to learning the Turkish language and culture, and readiness to share your own culture with others.

Daily Activities – What Will You Actually Do in Ankara?

The activities revolve around sports, working with children and youth, and non-formal education. Among the things you may be involved in:

• Organizing sports games and physical activities for children and youth in schools or sports clubs.
• Contributing to awareness workshops on healthy lifestyle and the importance of physical activity.
• Helping to organize small tournaments or community sports events.
• Supporting activities that integrate refugees and local youth into joint programs.
• Participating in regular meetings with the club team to review activities, assess achievements, and plan the following week.
• Contributing to awareness content about the project on social media (photos, short videos, stories about the experience) if requested by the team.

Through these activities, your experience will develop from “simple volunteering” into an intensive journey that teaches you:

• Time management.
• Public speaking.
• Working with children and teenagers.
• Creative thinking in designing activities that are both useful and fun.

You can also explore the Future Leaders Assembly – Istanbul, Turkey ( Fully Funded )

Do You Need a Language Certificate? What About IELTS?

One of the most frequently asked questions is: Do I need an IELTS or TOEFL certificate to apply?

European Solidarity Corps projects, including this one, generally do not require official language certificates such as IELTS. Instead, they focus on your actual ability to communicate in English in daily life, which appears through the application form and your motivation letter.

You are expected to have a level that allows you to communicate with the team and participants (approximately an intermediate level), but in most cases you will not be asked to upload an official language certificate.

Therefore, this opportunity can be considered suitable for young people who do not have international language certificates but are seriously willing to improve their English through daily practice.

Social and Cultural Impact – What Will You Gain for Yourself and Your Community?

Among the most important outcomes of participating in this type of project:

On the personal level

• Strengthening your self-confidence by working in an international environment.
• Learning leadership skills and teamwork within multinational groups.
• Improving your English and learning the basics of Turkish.
• Adding real international experience to your CV, which increases your chances for scholarships and future jobs.

On the social and cultural level

• Helping break stereotypes between cultures and building bridges of understanding between local youth, refugees, and international participants.
• Spreading new awareness of the importance of sports as an educational tool for values, not just a recreational activity.
• Transferring what you have gained from the experience back to your community upon your return, whether through workshops, online content, or new youth initiatives.

On the academic and professional future level

The Youthpass certificate you will receive at the end of the project is an official European document that records your skills in non-formal learning. You can attach it to scholarship or job applications to gain additional points.

How to Apply for the “Our Future Is Now” Project in Ankara

Here is the application procedure step by step via the European Youth Portal:

1. Access the official opportunity page

Open the official project link on the European Youth Portal.

2. Create an account or log in

• If you do not have an account on the European Youth Portal, create a new account and choose to join the “European Solidarity Corps”.

• If you already have an account, log in directly.

3. Complete your profile

• Enter your basic information (name, country, age, etc.).

• Add information about your studies and any previous experience in volunteering or student activities, if applicable.

• Make sure to write a clear description of your interests and skills.

4. Write the motivation letter

In the application form for this project, you will find a space to explain:

• Why do you want to participate in this specific project in Ankara?

• What are your previous experiences in working with children, youth, or sports?

• How do you plan to benefit from this experience when you return to your country?

Try to be honest, realistic, and organized, and avoid generic statements such as “I love traveling” without explanation.

5. Submit the application and follow up

• After reviewing your data and motivation letter, click the “Apply” button.

• Check your email regularly, as you may receive an invitation for an online interview or a request for additional information from the organizing team.

You can also explore the Sabancı university scholarship in Turkey for international students

Important Tips to Increase Your Chances of Acceptance

• Focus on your interest in working with children and youth more than on travel itself.
• Highlight any experience you have in sports, volunteering, or student activities – even if it is simple.
• Clearly state that you are ready to reduce phone use and engage in real-life activities with the team.
• Show your willingness to learn the Turkish language and culture and your enthusiasm for sharing your local culture with others.
• Use simple and clear English in the application (it does not have to be perfect; what matters is that the reader understands you).

Frequently Asked Questions About the Opportunity

1. Is this opportunity really fully funded?
Yes. The project provides free accommodation, a monthly allowance, flight tickets according to travel distance, and coverage of transport related to sports and community activities, in line with the funding rules of the European Solidarity Corps.

2. Can I apply without IELTS or TOEFL?
Yes. You are not required to submit international language certificates. It is sufficient to be able to communicate in English in daily life, as shown in your application form and motivation letter.

3. Is the opportunity open to Arabs?
Yes. The official announcement mentions several partner countries, including Arab countries such as Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and others, provided that you meet the program conditions and hold legal residence in one of the eligible countries.

4. Is there a deadline for application?
The European Youth Portal indicates that there is no specific final deadline for this opportunity. Applications are received on a rolling basis within the project period.

Official Registration Link

For regular updates on scholarships and academic opportunities, follow our official platforms: