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Habitat Association (Habitat) is a Nonprofit and Nongovernmental Organization working on sustainable development. Habitat was established in 1997 by activists who participated in the Copenhagen World Summit for Social Development in 1995 and the United Nations Habitat II Summit in 1996, aiming to actively involve youth in sustainable development. Habitat’s main vision upon establishment was to serve as a communication bridge between World and Turkish youth. Habitat developed projects and programs to build the capacity of youth and form international partnerships to serve this vision.

Since 1997, Habitat works for all disadvantaged groups without discriminating against religion, language, race, gender, sexual orientation, political view in 81 cities of Turkey with its thousands of young volunteers. For all societal groups, Habitat’s work encourages building capacity, equal access for opportunities, participating in decision-making processes, increasing social and environmental awareness, developing crucial skills of our century. In addition to implementing capacity building projects on technology, entrepreneurship, and financial awareness, Habitat also contributes to local and national public policy. Habitat supports sustainable development with its all efforts.

Habitat Association establishes multi-stakeholder partnerships with government, local governments, private sector, and civil society. Our current partners are Alisei, UNHCR, Cisco Networking Academy, Coca-Cola Turkey, Experian, C.I.D.I.S, Esbierg commune, Facebook, Istanbul Technical University(ITU), The Research Centre on Asylum and Migration (IGAM), Kız Sınnova, Kreis Offenbach, Kommunales Jobcenter, Microsoft, Pro-Arbeit, The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchange of Turkey (TOBB), Teknosa, Vodafone Turkey Foundation, Turk Telekom, Visa Turkey, and QNB Finansbank. Habitat is a member of UN ECOSOC, OECD/UNFE, OECD PCSD, Aflatoun International, Child and Youth Finance International, and Dypall network. Moreover, Habitat is the strategical partner of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

As a strong believer in organized societies with strong volunteerism, Habitat pioneered the establishment of city councils, councils of youth, women, people with disabilities and children as well as national youth parliament. Besides, Habitat supported the foundation of mechanisms such as youth culture centers and TOBB youth and women entrepreneurs committees.