Türkiye launches Modular Family Training Programme to support positive parenting nationwide

15 April 2026, Ankara – The Ministry of Family and Social Services, with technical support from UNICEF, today launched the Modular Family Training Programme (AEP), marking a major step forward in supporting positive parenting, promoting children’s healthy development and enhancing family well-being across Türkiye.

Families play a central role in shaping children’s lives. In response to evolving needs, the programme has been comprehensively updated to ensure it reflects current evidence, removes outdated elements and better equips parents and caregivers with practical skills for raising children in today’s world.

The strengthened AEP consists of 12 modular sessions combining core and supplementary modules. It focuses on self-awareness, positive parenting, child development and healthy family communication. Through these sessions, parents gain practical tools to build stronger relationships with their children, navigate everyday challenges and support a safe, nurturing and supportive home environment.

The programme was revised through a structured, collaborative process that included consultations with field practitioners, public institutions and relevant stakeholders, followed by a pilot implementation in multiple provinces. To date, the programme has reached more than 27,000 people through closed group and open sessions.

Findings from the pilot phase show that the programme led to improved parenting practices, stronger family communication and increased awareness of child development, including key areas such as digital media use, school engagement and resilience. Many parents also reported taking concrete steps to improve their lives—such as continuing their education or pursuing personal development opportunities.

Based on these positive results, the updated programme has now been scaled up nationwide. Trained practitioners are available across all 81 provinces, ensuring broad, equitable access to family support services.

Paolo Marchi, UNICEF Representative in Türkiye, said: “Supporting parents with practical skills is one of the most powerful ways to support children. The Modular  Family Training Programme equips families to build stronger relationships, create safe and nurturing environments, and guide their children’s well-being. UNICEF is proud to back this important initiative, which helps children across Türkiye grow up safer, stronger and better supported—both in their everyday lives and in the digital world. This national launch and scale‑up will also bring Türkiye closer to its commitment to end violence against children, where empowering parents and fostering positive parent–child relationships is essential.”

Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş stated, “Today, as the Ministry of Family and Social Services, we have come together to introduce a new training program that strengthens our families. With the Modular Family Education Program, we are launching a new phase in which we will provide faster, more effective, and more comprehensive solutions to the changing needs of our families. On this occasion, I would like to thank all our stakeholders, academics, and experts who contributed to the preparation of the program, as well as UNICEF for its support to the process. I hope that this training program will be beneficial for our families.”

UNICEF and the Ministry of Family and Social Services will continue to work together to strengthen family-oriented services and ensure that every child grows up in a safe, supportive and enabling environment.