Sports have a unique power to empower individuals of all abilities, fostering essential life skills such as decision-making, leadership, teamwork, and stress management. Beyond personal development, sports contribute to social cohesion, bridging divides and promoting inclusivity. However, factors such as gender, socioeconomic status, age, and accessibility continue to limit participation.
Problem
In Türkiye, while female participation in sports is increasing, disparities remain. TUIK data shows the male-to-female ratio in sports participation improved from 69-31% in 2015 to 65-35% in 2024, with a similar shift among licensed athletes (69-31% to 64-36%).
This progress is partly due to the success of female athletes in sports like volleyball, archery, and football, along with broader societal advancements in gender equality. However, personal, familial, socioeconomic, and environmental barriers still limit women’s full participation.
Türkiye also has one of Europe’s lowest sports participation rates – 88% of the population is inactive, compared to 47% in the EU. Only 3% engage in sports for over five hours per week (EU: 18%), and just 4% do muscle-building exercises at least once a week (EU: 26%).
Our Approach
Türkiye Mozaik Foundation has launched the Sports Giving Circle, a donor-led initiative that funds grassroots organisations working to increase access to sports. Through this initiative, we provide direct funding to support organisations creating impact on the ground.
In 2025, we are partnering with the following organisations:
Sahadayız (We Are on the Field)
Sahadayız is a collective of sports academics and activists focused on child protection, gender equality and migration in sports. By supporting their Equipment and Mobility Support Fund, we help meet the equipment needs of sports initiatives and cover local travel costs for athletes attending competitions.
Each equipment support costs £345 per team, and £100 per person for travel costs. In 2025, they will support 20 teams and 30 athletes.
İpek Soylu Şemin Foundation
İpek Soylu Şemin Foundation operates in Adana focusing on children’s tennis programs. The foundation develops initiatives to discover and support young talent, run projects for children with special needs, and organise tennis camps for young people.
The foundation also supports young people’s development by providing them with international experiences and consultancy services in the field of athlete career management, helping athletes manage their careers effectively. Their Young Talents Tennis Schools program aims to increase the participation of girls in tennis.
The cost of one adolescent playing tennis in the camp for 6 months is £XXX. The program will support Y number of girls in 2025.
How Does the Giving Circle Work?
The Sports Giving Circle operates under the secretariat of Türkiye Mozaik Foundation. Guided by its charter, members:
- Mobilise their own resources and expand the fund by reaching out to their networks.
- Engage with individuals and companies interested in supporting sports initiatives in Türkiye.
- Actively participate in decision-making, selecting and recommending organisations for funding.
In 2025, Türkiye Mozaik Foundation will match donations to the Sports Giving Circle with £10,000.
Members of the Giving Circle
Current members and supporters include:
For more information about the Sports Giving Circle, please email us at info@turkiyemozaik.org.uk.
Annex 1 – Charter
Mission
The Sports Giving Circle harnesses the collective power of philanthropy to strengthen sports charities that promote health, inclusivity, community cohesion, and personal development. We believe in the transformative power of sports to inspire individuals, bridge divides, and create lasting social change.
Core Values
- Community First: Prioritising sports initiatives that address local needs and foster community engagement.
- Inclusivity: Breaking down barriers to participation, ensuring equal access for all.
- Empowerment: Supporting programs that develop life skills and opportunities for all ages through sports.
- Health & Wellbeing: Promoting projects that improve physical and mental health.
- Transparency: Operating with openness in decision-making, funding, and impact reporting.
Funding Priorities
We focus on grassroots clubs and civil society organisations, programs for underrepresented groups (e.g., athletes with disabilities, women), and initiatives that combine sports with social empowerment.
Decision-Making Process
Members nominate charities to support, guided by research and impact metrics. Charities are vetted for financial stability, governance, and measurable outcomes with direct participation of our members. Funding decisions are made collectively, ensuring diverse perspectives are considered. Majority vote determines funding allocations, while minority viewpoints are acknowledged.
More Ways to Get Involved
Environment
Discover how our grants support environmental initiatives across Türkiye.
Learn More »
Culture and Arts
Explore how our grantee partners improve equal access to culture and arts for all.
Learn More »
Animal Rights
Learn more about how our grants support initiatives improving the well-being of animals in Türkiye.
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