Neighborhoods Supporting Children was launched to improve children’s access to educational opportunities that meet their developmental needs, foster an ecosystem that supports their overall development, and help them benefit from educational processes to the fullest. Centering girls’ rights and participation while developing solutions aligned with local needs and dynamics, the initiative began in 2022 in the neighborhoods of Onikiler, Selçuklu, Türk Meydanı, and Yenice in Şanlıurfa’s Eyyübiye district, and in Süleymaniye in the Haliliye district.
As part of the neighborhood-based work in Şanlıurfa, a needs assessment and service mapping process was conducted to better understand existing conditions and opportunities. Local community programs were implemented with facilitation by InCommon, while parent and child programs delivered through the Children's Hub, together with the Local Girls’ Community initiative, supported the empowerment of children and their families. In addition, Girl-Centered Design Workshops enabled girls to evaluate their neighborhoods and local services from their own perspectives and contribute their ideas for improvement.
Within the school-based component, teachers participated in training programs on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). The “School-Based Child Protection – Support System Against Abuse,” developed in collaboration with Nirengi Association, was introduced and implemented. In partnership with KODA, a school-based child protection policy was developed, and teacher communities were supported through ongoing learning and capacity-building activities.
As of 2025, neighborhood-based initiatives have also been launched in Hatay through a partnership with the Hatay Governorship and the support of Turkish Philanthropy Funds. These efforts contribute to the expansion of child-centered services by strengthening the capacities of public institutions and local governments. While Girl-Centered Design Workshops are carried out with the participation of public officials, the Child-Centered City Map supports institutions in making data-informed decisions. With the launch of school-based programs in Hatay in 2026, the Supporting Neighborhoods for Children model expanded its implementation to the province.
