About us
An independent association where young people set up and run their own teams
We were founded in Iğdır in 2016 as Iğdır Avrupa Birliği Gençlik Derneği (Iğdır European Union Youth Association) and took the name Genç Zihin Derneği (GEZİDER, Young Intelligence Association) in 2017. Our roots go back to the European youth projects we have joined since 2015 as Iğdır AB Gençlik Grubu.
Who we are
From Iğdır to Türkiye, from Türkiye to Europe.
The first aim in our statute is to build youth teams and let young people run them themselves. We work in the social, cultural, artistic, educational and health fields, and we encourage every young person who gains experience to support the next one.
We aim to reach young people across Türkiye, especially in Iğdır and other provinces with fewer opportunities, to help them gain knowledge, skills and attitudes, and to make these experiences something they can share. Our projects cover a wide range of topics, from education and psychology to digital literacy and social inclusion.
Based in Iğdır
We reach young people all over Türkiye, especially in Iğdır and other provinces with fewer opportunities.
Youth teams
Our work is carried out by teams that young people set up and run themselves.
Links with Europe
In Erasmus+ projects we work with organisations from all over Europe.
Our partners →Our vision
An inclusive future in which young people do not just take part, but lead, create and bring about change.
We aim to build a sustainable ecosystem for learning and creating that keeps growing internationally.
Knowledge and skills
Through mentoring, guidance and structured training programmes, we help young people gain 21st-century skills.
Access
We reach young people whose opportunities are limited by geography or other barriers, and make sure they take an active part.
Transformation
Today's participant learns, tomorrow runs their own team and then shows the way to the next young person.
Our journey
From 2015 to today
- 2015
Our first European projects
As Iğdır AB Gençlik Grubu, we started taking part in Erasmus+ youth exchanges as a partner.
- 2016
Iğdır Avrupa Birliği Gençlik Derneği is founded
Educators from different fields founded the association in Iğdır as Iğdır Avrupa Birliği Gençlik Derneği (Iğdır European Union Youth Association), to support young people's social and personal development through lifelong learning.
- 2017
Our new name: Genç Zihin Derneği
At an extraordinary general assembly on 27 May 2017, we changed our name to Genç Zihin Derneği (GEZİDER, Young Intelligence Association). The same year we joined many youth exchanges and youth worker trainings with partners from Austria to Spain and from Ireland to Cyprus.
- 2018
Our statute is renewed
Our updated statute was reviewed by the Iğdır Provincial Directorate of Associations on 8 August 2018.
Read the statute (Turkish) → - 2019
Our first coordination: a Sivil Düşün study visit
We coordinated a study visit on entrepreneurship and self-awareness for young people at risk, approved by Sivil Düşün, the EU-funded civil society support programme in Türkiye.
- 2020
Our first approved Erasmus+ project: Play Like a Scientist
In our first Erasmus+ project as applicant, approved by the Turkish National Agency, we taught young people scientific research methods through art.
See the project → - 2025
Our first ESAA hosting: EU Green Deal
With the EU Green Deal project, supported by ESAA (Erasmus Student and Alumni Alliance), we were a host under ESAA for the first time.
- 2026
Our own system and new events to host
We moved membership, volunteering and event processes to GZenter, the association's own system. In Istanbul we are organising the 1st GEZİDER Youth Summit and, with the garagErasmus network, the Digital Erasmus+ summit.
Our principles
Independent and non-partisan
GEZİDER is an independent youth association with no ties to any political party, politician, fan group or religious organisation. This principle is guaranteed by article 2.2.4 of our statute.
Within the association, only titles held in the association are used; a member's title at another institution is not brought into the association's discussions.
Clear limits on cooperation
We work with organisations in the youth field, but not with religious or political institutions and organisations.
Independent of donors
Donors cannot hold the association's bodies to account because of their donations. Spending of funds raised for a specific purpose is shared with the public.
Independent with data
We keep membership and application data on the association's own servers, not with third parties.
How we are governed
Our members make the decisions.
Under our statute, the association has the following bodies and teams:
General Assembly
The association's highest decision-making body; it holds its ordinary meeting every December. Members have the right to vote and to stand for election to the boards.
Executive Board
Five full and five substitute members. It represents the association and carries out the decisions of the General Assembly.
Audit Board
Three full and three substitute members. It audits the association's activities and accounts in line with the statute.
Teams
Set up on the proposal of at least three members or by decision of the Executive Board; working units that young people run themselves.
Key facts
Official details
- Legal name
- Genç Zihin Derneği
- English name
- Young Intelligence Association
- Short name
- GEZİDER
- Founded
- 2016, Iğdır
- Founding name
- Iğdır Avrupa Birliği Gençlik Derneği (Iğdır European Union Youth Association); renamed Genç Zihin Derneği by an extraordinary general assembly on 27.05.2017
- Association registration no
- 76-004-72
- Erasmus+ identifiers
- PIC 917069720 · OID E10009467
- Previous Erasmus+ registration
- IGDIR AB GENCLIK GRUBU · PIC 936631419
- Address
- 14 Kasım Mah. Kurtuluş Cad. No. 5/A
PTT Karşısı, Merkez — 76000 Iğdır, Türkiye - Contact
- [email protected] · +90 476 606 0628
Better, together!
Join us to be part of our teams, take part in our projects or work with our association.
