Genc Basari
Think Human Foundation
Mission & History
The Junior Achievement was founded in 1916. with the purpose to implement economy programs by creating a bridge between the business world and education, to raise awareness of young people with these programs and to instill an entrepreneurial spirit in them. This program is implemented in many countries. Children who study for a certain period of time receive a certificate that is valid in 120 countries, and then they exhibit studies related to entrepreneurship.
Work is carried out with the student clubs of various high schools in Turkey. Among these high schools, Kabataş Boys’ High School is the oldest and founding member.
Since its establishment, pilot studies have been initiated in willing schools, programs and course materials have been translated into Turkish, and on the other hand, a foundation has been established for the purpose of institutionalization. In March 1999, the Young Achievement Education Foundation was formalized.
Young Achievement Turkey operates under the Central and Eastern Europe Region within the International Junior Achievement Organization.
Country Information
In the last five years, JA Türkiye has positively impacted the lives of over 180,000 students ranging from ages 5 to 35. This remarkable achievement is supported by the involvement of 9,190 dedicated teachers and 3,720 business volunteers. Through its innovative programs, the organization has facilitated the creation of 2,510 high school enterprises and startups, empowering young individuals to explore their entrepreneurial potential.
JA Türkiye’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs has garnered international recognition. In 2019, Entella, a Turkish youth company, proudly claimed the title of JA Europe Company of the Year, reflecting the exceptional creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of Turkish youth. Building on this success, a different Turkish youth team secured an impressive third place overall in a major competition in 2020, underscoring the talent and determination of the country’s young innovators.
The Need
Students lack social-emotional skills, which distances them from the job market, contributing to the high unemployment rate in Turkey.
The Project We Fund
The My Future Project seeks to encourage and equip young individuals aged 18 to 24 with vital career skills, innovative thinking capabilities, and digital literacy to enhance their employability. By establishing connections between youth and the business realm, the program aims to reinforce their entrepreneurial mindset alongside improving their career trajectories.
Participants will have access to training sessions and workshops tailored to design thinking, entrepreneurship, and technology literacy, which will collectively foster a rich learning environment. Additionally, the initiative promotes collaboration among students from different regions of Turkey, inspiring them to make informed decisions about their career paths and academic preferences.
Through this initiative, young people will also gain invaluable experiences working with international companies, ultimately strengthening their teamwork abilities and preparing them for successful futures in the workforce.
The Result
To effectively measure the results of the project, a comprehensive evaluation approach will be employed. This will include the use of participant registration forms, which will help track engagement and demographic information. Activity records will be meticulously maintained to document participation and the nature of the events attended by the participants. Additionally, videos and recordings will be utilized to capture key moments and testimonials that highlight the experiences and learning outcomes of the participants.
To assess the impact of the project on participants’ knowledge and skills, pre- and post-tests will be administered, consisting of quizzes and content questions that evaluate their understanding before and after the training sessions. Finally, surveys will be distributed to young participants to gather feedback on their experiences and the perceived value of the program. This multifaceted measurement strategy will provide insightful data to evaluate the project’s effectiveness and make necessary adjustments for future iterations.
