Ageing is one of the most significant yet often overlooked social transformations of our time. As societies change, ensuring that people can age with dignity, independence, and connection is becoming an urgent priority. At the same time, the role of caregivers – who provide essential, often unpaid support – remains largely invisible and under-supported.
At Türkiye Mozaik Foundation, we recognise ageing not only as a demographic shift, but as a cross-cutting social issue that requires stronger systems, inclusive approaches, and targeted support for both older people and those who care for them.
The Challenge
Türkiye is rapidly ageing, with over 9.1 million people aged 65+ (10.6% of the population), a figure expected to reach 17.9% by 2040. This demographic shift brings significant social and economic challenges.
Nearly one in four older people faces the risk of poverty or social exclusion, and 1.75 million live alone—most of them women. Many experience physical limitations that affect their daily lives, while social isolation remains widespread. Older women, in particular, face deeper inequalities in income and access to education.
At the same time, middle-aged populations are largely unprepared for ageing, lacking both financial security and adequate support systems. Ageing continues to be widely associated with illness, dependency, and loneliness, despite a strong desire among older people for an active, healthy, and socially connected life.
As demand grows for services that support independent living—such as accessible transport, social activities, and rehabilitation—the need for sustainable care models and stronger caregiver support is becoming increasingly urgent.
Our Approach
We support initiatives addressing ageing through caregiver support, rights-based advocacy, emergency response, and social inclusion. While much of our grantmaking is cross-cutting, benefiting multiple groups including older people, we also prioritise projects and organisations specifically focused on ageing. Through our various thematic funds, we have distributed nearly £30,000 in grants in this field, enabling practical impact on the ground.
We supported the development of a digital caregiver training platform offering structured courses and over 50 educational videos, reaching hundreds of caregivers and improving the quality of care.
In earthquake-affected regions, we funded the delivery of essential supplies, including mobility aids and hygiene materials, to around 300 older people.
We have also strengthened advocacy efforts by supporting the production of regular monitoring reports on rights violations against older people, contributing to international mechanisms including the United Nations.
Alongside this, we fund community-based and intergenerational projects, such as cultural programmes, workshops, and oral history activities, which have engaged older people through 20+ events, helping reduce isolation and foster social connection.
This approach ensures that older people are supported not only as care recipients, but as active and valued members of society.
Ageing and Caregiver Support Fund
In response to these challenges, we launched the Ageing and Caregiver Support Fund in 2026. The fund aims to strengthen civil society work on ageing in Türkiye by protecting the rights of older people, supporting caregivers, and promoting active and inclusive ageing.
Through this dedicated fund, we seek to expand our support to grassroots organisations working directly with older people and caregivers, enabling them to deliver sustainable, community-based solutions and reach more people in need.
In April 2026, our supporter Selene Çakmak Rathee launched an online fundraising campaign raising £2,500 in memory of her father, Atila Çakmak, undertaking a five-day hike across Türkiye. We matched her contribution, increasing the total to £5,000.
Thanks to this initiative, the first grant from the fund has been awarded to the Alzheimer’s Association of Turkey (Türkiye Alzheimer Derneği). With this grant, the association will implement a three-month home-based care project, providing regular visits by nurses and psychologists to people living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The project aims to improve care quality while reducing the psychological burden on caregivers, particularly families with limited access to health and support services.
How You Can Support
There are many ways to contribute to this work. You can organise a fundraiser, dedicate a special occasion to raising donations, or support the fund through your business. You can also donate directly and help us grow this initiative further.
If you would like to support civil society organisations working in the field of ageing and caregiver support in Türkiye, or learn more about the fund, please contact us at info@turkeymozaik.org.uk.
Grants in Action
Senex | Association for Aging Studies (Senex | Yaşlanma Çalışmaları Derneği), monitored media coverage and documented cases of violence, rights violations, and discrimination against older people. Monthly reports were shared, including a dedicated section on the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes’ impact. Their report, “Violence, Abuse and Neglect of Older People in Türkiye,” gained official recognition from the UN and was presented at the 54th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Alzheimer’s Association of Turkey (Türkiye Alzheimer Derneği) developed a platform to support Alzheimer’s caregivers with accessible digital training. It includes a certified “Patient and Elderly Caregiver Training Programme,” an e-book, and educational videos with interactive assessments and e-certification. The platform has improved caregivers’ knowledge, confidence, and quality of care, while supporting the organisation’s digital transformation and long-term training capacity.
Teos Culture and Art Association ran the “Intergenerational Culture Days” project, bringing the residents of two care homes in Urla together with young people through music, theatre, film screenings and literature events, alongside oral history work. The project delivered a wide range of participatory activities and produced a documentary and podcasts, strengthening older people’s engagement with culture, enabling intergenerational exchange, and preserving local multicultural memory.
More of Mozaik in Action
Children’s Rights
Learn about how we empower civil society organisations promoting children’s rights.
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Core Funding
Discover how we support the organisational development of civil society in Türkiye.
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Emergencies
Explore how we support the people and regions affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
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