UNDP announced the seven civil society organizations (CSOs) that have been selected as Civil Society Technology Challenge awardees of the 2020 BOOST regional acceleration program. The winning participants are actively engaged in advancing COVID-19 recovery by creating innovative and fully digitised solutions – from a wellbeing app for humanitarian workers to a mobile-enabled initiative for disaster-affected communities.
Winners of the BOOST acceleration program include:
- Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants (SGDD-ASAM)
- Support to Life Association (Hayata Destek Derneği)
- Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV)
- Education Reform Initiative (ERG)
- Development Workshop (Kalkınma Atölyesi)
Winners selected for additional support by Koç Holding:
UNDP launched the Civil Society Technology Challenge, in partnership with Koç Holding, Turkey’s leading investment holding company, in August 2020. The goal was to support CSOs, whose operations were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to accelerate their digital transformation for greater and improved impact and outreach within and beyond Turkey.
A total of 40 organizations applied for the Civil Society Technology Challenge, and 20 were selected to participate in BOOST, which is an intensive six-month online program centered around online learning tracks and mentorship, including 1-on-1 sessions with renowned experts. UNDP worked closely with Koç University Entrepreneurship Center (KWORKS) and Startup Grind to provide modules on digital transformation and tech, and business and impact sessions, helping CSOs to develop their solutions.
After carefully reviewing the selected projects, BOOST’s jury selected the awardees, which will receive USD 10,000 to develop their solutions as well as benefit from continued one-on-one acceleration support from KWORKS for an additional 24 weeks.
Full list of selected participants to successfully complete the BOOST acceleration program:
- Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants (SGDD-ASAM)
- Business Council for Sustainable Development (SKD Türkiye)
- Cerebral Palsy Türkiye (TSCV)
- Development Workshop (Kalkınma Atölyesi)
- Education Reform Initiative (ERG)
- Educational Volunteers Foundation of Turkey (TEGV)
- Hrant Dink Foundation
- Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV)
- Kaos Gay and Lesbian Cultural Research and Solidarity Association (Kaos GL)
- Maya Foundation (Maya Vakfı)
- Mother Child Education Foundation (AÇEV)
- Science Heroes Association (Bilim Kahramanları Derneği)
- Support to Life Association (Hayata Destek Derneği)
- Turkish Foundation for Children in Need of Protection (Koruncuk Vakfı)
- Turkish Health and Family Planning Foundation (TAPV)
- Turkish Marine Environment Protection Association (Deniz Temiz Derneği/TURMEPA)
- WRI Turkey Sustainable Cities
- WWF-Turkey
- Young Guru Academy (YGA)
- Yuva Association (Yuva Derneği)
