Habitat Association

Habitat Association

Our pledge
Habitat Association is deeply committed to promoting inclusive and sustainable development through education, technology, and entrepreneurship. By joining the DTTI, Habitat aims to contribute to cultivating a diverse and highly skilled talent pool in deep tech fields, essential for fostering innovation, solving complex global challenges, and building resilient communities. Habitat Association has a longstanding tradition of implementing impactful educational and entrepreneurial programs that resonate with the objectives of the DTTI. The initiatives enhance digital literacy, entrepreneurial acumen, and technological proficiency among various demographic groups, including youth, women, and marginalized communities. The contributions to the DTTI will be multifaceted and include the following key areas:

Basic Digital Skills Training: Habitat offers foundational courses that equip individuals with essential digital skills such as using computers, navigating the internet, and understanding cybersecurity basics.
Advanced Digital Skills: The advanced programs cover coding, data analysis, and digital marketing, enabling participants to acquire in-demand skills for the modern workforce.
Digital Inclusion Initiatives: Habitat focuses on bridging the digital divide by providing access to technology and training to underserved communities, ensuring everyone can participate in the digital economy.
Start up Incubation: The incubation programs support aspiring entrepreneurs in developing their business ideas, providing mentorship, resources, and access to networks.
Access to Finance: Habitat assists entrepreneurs in securing funding through workshops on financial literacy, investment readiness, and connections to potential investors.
Sustainable Business Practices: Sustainable entrepreneurship is promoted by integrating social and environmental responsibility principles into training programs.
Tech Education Initiatives on Emerging Technologies: Specialized courses on cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and virtual/augmented reality prepare participants for future job markets.
Partnerships with Industry Leaders: Collaboration with tech companies and academic institutions ensures the curriculum aligns with industry needs and standards.
Inclusivity and Diversity in Tech Women in Tech Programs: Habitat runs initiatives to encourage and support women in pursuing careers in technology and entrepreneurship.
Youth Empowerment: The youth programs focus on nurturing the next generation of tech leaders through workshops, hackathons, and mentorship opportunities.
Support for Marginalized Communities: Habitat is committed to ensuring that individuals from marginalized and underrepresented groups have access to its programs and the opportunity to succeed in the tech industry.

About
Habitat Association (Habitat) is a non-governmental organization that promotes social capacity-building and impact-oriented projects through solid partnerships in the digital world for sustainable development. It was founded in 1997 by young individuals who came together for the Copenhagen Social Development Summit in 1995 and the United Nations Habitat II Summit in 1996. Since its establishment, Habitat has been conducting activities with thousands of volunteers in all 81 provinces of Türkiye, welcoming people from all walks of life, regardless of religion, language, race, political opinion, gender identity, and sexual orientation. The organization supports Sustainable Development Goals by providing digital skills to disadvantaged groups, facilitating access to opportunities, promoting involvement in decision-making processes, and increasing awareness of social and environmental issues. Habitat forms partnerships with governments, local administrations, the private sector, and civil society organizations to support skill development, entrepreneurship, and training a qualified workforce. It has contributed to the establishment of various mechanisms, such as the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye Young and Women Entrepreneurs Councils. In addition, it leads GEN Türkiye, a part of the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN Global) actively operating in 178 countries. Leveraging international knowledge and the dedication of volunteers throughout Türkiye, Habitat focuses on three primary areas: entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and inclusive and sustainable development. The organization also operates Local Hubs (Community Centers) in 14 different provinces in Türkiye, where it hosts various trainings, programs, and workshops to benefit local communities.