Boyner Foundation and UNICEF Türkiye to Reach Thousands of Parents and Children through the “There When It Matters” Initiative

Istanbul, 15 June 2026 – Boyner Foundation and UNICEF Türkiye have launched the “There When It Matters” initiative, which aims to strengthen parenting support systems across Türkiye and promote safe, nurturing and protective environments for children.

The initiative seeks to support children’s protection within the family, at school and in digital environments. In this context, 18 centres and 16 mobile teams established with UNICEF support in different provinces will work together with expert civil society organizations to reach thousands of parents, caregivers and children.

Through project activities, families will receive counselling and guidance on parenting skills, child development, prevention of peer bullying, digital safety and child protection. The initiative also aims to establish a Social Impact Platform.

“Parenting is a team effort”

Speaking at the launch event, Ümit Boyner, Chair of Boyner Foundation and Member of the Board of Directors of Boyner Group, said:

“Today, we are here not only to announce a new initiative, but to build a support network that will be there for children when they need it most. We call on the private sector and civil society organizations to join us in contributing to efforts to build safer and more equitable futures. That is why we need more collective wisdom around it. This initiative is also important in strengthening communication and support mechanisms within the home. Parenting is a team effort. This programme is designed to engage fathers who share household responsibilities and practice co-parenting. We know that when both parents are equally involved, children are better prepared for life.”

“Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving and supportive environment”

UNICEF Representative to Türkiye Paolo Marchi said: “Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving and supportive environment. Families and caregivers play the most important role in laying the foundations for children’s healthy development. By strengthening parenting support systems and equipping caregivers with evidence-based knowledge, practical skills and access to the services they need, we can help children thrive, learn and reach their full potential. We are pleased to work together with Boyner Foundation towards this important goal.”

İnci Haseki, General Manager of the Turkish National Committee for UNICEF, said: “Creating lasting change for children requires the collective efforts of all segments of society. As the Turkish National Committee for UNICEF, we are delighted to establish high-impact partnerships with institutions such as Boyner that share a strong commitment to the well-being of children and young people. We believe that the call made by ‘There When It Matters’ will help us reach thousands of children, parents and caregivers and contribute to building a stronger future for children.”        

A Stronger Support Network Through the Power of Civil Society

While civil society stakeholders who will contribute to the field emphasized the critical importance of cooperation;

Dr. Demet Gülaldı, Board Member of the Early Childhood Development Platform and a faculty member at Üsküdar University, stated that supporting parents and caregivers in the early years of life plays a critical role in children reaching their developmental potential, and expressed that the foundation of strong societies is laid through the empowerment of children and families.

Ayşe Belgin Açıkgöz from the Türkiye Development Foundation stated that “the way for a child to reach their potential is through empowering the adults who raise them,” while Burcu Gündüz Maşalacı, General Coordinator of Suna’s Daughters, emphasized that systems are interconnected and that in order to create lasting change in children’s lives, different actors must come together around a common goal, complementing each other like pieces of a puzzle.

Emre Ünsal, General Manager of Maya Foundation, said: “Today, we believe that every investment in strengthening families is also an investment in children’s mental health, safety, and future. The way to raise generations who are confident, able to realize their potential, and can look to the future with hope is through supporting children and families together.”