In honor of the 101st anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey, 101 Akfen Volunteers from Akfen Holding and its affiliated companies participated in the 46th Istanbul Marathon on November 3, 2024, to raise awareness and support for the Turkish Human Resources, Education, and Health Foundation’s (TİKAV) “Equality in Education Project.”

 Following the Istanbul Marathon, Akfen Volunteers gathered at a fundraising event held at the Karaköy Novotel, where they raised donations on behalf of TİKAV through the “Run for Good” platform to support university students from the Eastern and Southeastern regions of Turkey.

 TİKAV Chairperson Hülya Kırçuval expressed her pride in being part of such a significant event for the first time, stating, “This organization has raised crucial awareness for TİKAV’s ‘Equality in Education Project’ while contributing to the educational journeys of our youth.”

Akfen Holding Board Member Pelin Akın Özalp, who was among the Akfen Volunteers collecting donations, emphasized that the project aims to open doors of opportunity for university students in Turkey’s Eastern and Southeastern regions who lack access to equal educational conditions.

TİKAV CHAIRPERSON KIRÇUVAL: “RAISING AWARENESS FOR EQUALITY IN EDUCATION”

TİKAV Chairperson Hülya Kırçuval expressed pride in TİKAV’s participation in a broad-scale event for the first time. Noting that they had the chance to share their goal of promoting equal educational opportunities with a larger audience through an event as meaningful as the Istanbul Marathon, Kırçuval said, “This organization has created significant awareness for TİKAV’s ‘Equality in Education Project’ and contributed to the educational journey of our youth.” She added:

“We understand the importance of every step taken toward helping university students from Eastern and Southeastern Turkey studying at Fırat University to achieve their dreams. By participating in this organization, we’ve taken an important step to highlight TİKAV’s long-standing Individual Development Program and open doors of opportunity for our youth. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Akfen Volunteers and everyone supporting our youth through their steps.”

AKFEN HOLDING BOARD MEMBER PELIN AKIN ÖZALP: “EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES CREATE EQUAL DREAMS”

Akfen Holding Board Member Pelin Akın Özalp also expressed pride in joining the Istanbul Marathon as Akfen Volunteers to promote awareness in education with a sense of social responsibility. She remarked, “The Istanbul Marathon is not just a sporting event but one of the finest examples of solidarity, tolerance, and social responsibility. On the 101st anniversary of the Republic, Akfen Holding took steps for equality in education with 101 Akfen Volunteers.”

Özalp explained that they came together for TİKAV’s ‘Equality in Education’ project, aiming to provide equal educational opportunities for university students in Eastern and Southeastern Turkey through TİKAV’s Individual Development Program (BGP), which has been running for 25 years.

“We took every step in this marathon to help our youth build a stronger foundation for their future. Each step will make a difference, supporting them in achieving equal educational opportunities and inspiring them to look forward with hope,” Özalp added.

TİKAV’S INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM HAS BEEN ACTIVE SINCE 1999

Since 1999, TİKAV’s Individual Development Program (BGP) has offered personal, cultural, and academic development opportunities to youth facing social and economic challenges. This program focuses on creating opportunities for university students, particularly from Turkey’s Eastern and Southeastern regions, supporting their development in various fields.

By supporting equality in education with each step taken by the 101 Akfen Volunteers in the Istanbul Marathon, they aimed to enhance educational opportunities and provide the necessary support for youth to realize their potential. TİKAV’s Equality in Education Project focuses on cultivating socially responsible, tolerant, and continuously learning individuals open to growth, and Akfen Volunteers proudly reflected the spirit of solidarity throughout the marathon.