This project celebrates April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, gifted to the world’s children by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, by bringing disadvantaged children together in a joyful campus environment. Children from village schools, children’s homes, and institutions working with refugee children are invited to TED University for workshops, activities, and a festival-like celebration.
Carried out by the Association for Equal Opportunity for Children together with TED University student clubs, the festival aims to create an inclusive space where children feel valued, have fun freely in a safe environment, learn, and fully experience the joy of Children’s Day.
Each year, different groups of children are included depending on the scope of the project. In previous years, children aged 4–12 from village schools, child welfare homes, and institutions working with refugee and migrant children have participated in the festival.
Between 14 and 23 university student clubs actively take part in the project. Volunteers accompany children throughout the event day, guide them between activities, and support them throughout the festival experience.
The festival area is enriched with hands-on workshops and activities including art, face painting, finger painting, science and discovery, drama, dance, music, rhythm, sports activities, and educational games. Through these activities, children have the chance to play, create, explore, and learn together.
Over the years, the festival has become one of our association’s most comprehensive projects thanks to its growing volunteer network and increasing child participation. From 2022 to 2026, children from Polatlı, Şereflikoçhisar, Çorum, Gölbaşı, Haymana, Bala, Kırıkkale, and Eskişehir, as well as children from child welfare homes, earthquake-affected children, and institutions working with refugee and migrant children, have been included.
To date, the festival has directly reached more than 300 children. It is not only a celebration; it is a sustainable social impact project that supports children’s social, emotional, and educational development while building a strong culture of solidarity and volunteering among university students.
