European Shapers Presented During Good Practice Exchange with Turkish National Agency, SALTO and TOSCA
İlk Sen Ol Youth Movement Association had the pleasure of welcoming representatives of the Turkish National Agency, SALTO European Solidarity Corps Resource Centre, TOSCA trainers, and organisations working in the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) field as part of a good practice exchange visit held in Istanbul.
The meeting provided an important opportunity to showcase our organisation’s activities, achievements, and ongoing efforts in the fields of youth participation, volunteering, humanitarian aid, and international cooperation. Throughout the event, participants were introduced to the mission and activities of İlk Sen Ol, as well as our long-standing commitment to empowering young people through European programmes and non-formal education opportunities.
One of the key moments of the visit was the presentation of the European Shapers (YES) Network, an international youth network bringing together organisations and young people committed to strengthening democratic participation, active citizenship, and youth engagement across Europe. Participants learned about the network’s objectives, its member organisations, and the opportunities it creates for collaboration, capacity building, and youth-led initiatives at both local and European levels.
During the programme, our long-term and short-term ESC volunteers shared their personal experiences, reflecting on how volunteering has contributed to their personal growth, intercultural learning, and professional development. Their stories demonstrated the transformative impact of the European Solidarity Corps and highlighted the value of creating meaningful opportunities for young people to engage in solidarity actions and community-based initiatives.
The visit also featured a presentation of our mentoring and support system for volunteers working in the field of humanitarian aid. Participants had the opportunity to learn about the preparation process, mentoring activities, capacity-building opportunities, and support mechanisms provided to volunteers before, during, and after their volunteering experience.
A particular focus was placed on the Volunteering Teams in Humanitarian Aid Project (VTHPA), which brings together young volunteers from different countries to contribute to humanitarian aid and disaster preparedness initiatives. During the presentation, members of the VTHPA team shared their experiences and insights into working within international teams, supporting local communities, and developing skills related to humanitarian action, resilience, and solidarity.
Adding an international dimension to the event, one of our humanitarian aid volunteers joined the meeting online from Tanzania, sharing their volunteering journey and discussing the impact of humanitarian aid activities in different contexts. Their contribution offered participants a valuable perspective on international solidarity and the importance of cross-border cooperation in addressing global challenges.
Beyond the presentations, the meeting created a space for dialogue, networking, and exchange among organisations working in the youth and volunteering sectors. Discussions focused on good practices in volunteer management, youth participation, humanitarian aid, and the future of European cooperation programmes. Participants explored opportunities for future collaboration and exchanged ideas on how to further strengthen the role of young people in building more inclusive, resilient, and engaged communities.
As İlk Sen Ol Youth Movement Association, we remain committed to sharing our expertise in the ESC field, supporting volunteers through quality mentoring processes, developing innovative projects, and building sustainable international partnerships. Through initiatives such as European Shapers, ESC volunteering projects, and the VTHPA programme, we continue to create opportunities for young people to learn, contribute, and become active agents of positive change.
We would like to sincerely thank the Turkish National Agency, SALTO European Solidarity Corps Resource Centre, the TOSCA team, partner organisations, volunteers, and all participants for their visit, contributions, and continued support. We look forward to strengthening our cooperation and creating new opportunities for young people across Europe and beyond.
