EGET FOUNDATION SETS AN EXAMPLE FROM MUĞLA TO TURKEY ON ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY

HAMLE NEWSPAPER

September 16, 2025

Reporter: Aziz Şahin

To read the news: www.hamlegazetesi.com.tr

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the EGET Foundation met with members of the press at a special meeting held in Muğla. Foundation executives explained that they have provided scholarship support to 245 students selected from among 39,960 applications to date, contributed to nature through sustainable agriculture and ecotourism projects, and transformed into a pioneering organization in Turkey with their developed social entrepreneurship model.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the EGET Foundation met with the Muğla press at a meeting held at the Yücelen Hotel. Foundation executives shared comprehensive information about the projects they have implemented, the students they have supported, and the social entrepreneurship model they have created in the ten years since their establishment.

“We Continue on Our Path with the Same Enthusiasm as Day One”

In her speech, Özlem Uzman, the founder of the EGET Foundation, emphasized that they aim to be not just an organization that provides scholarships, but a sustainable foundation that focuses on people and values ​​nature. In his speech, the expert stated, “In line with the goals we set that day, with its vision and without compromising our principles, we have continued on our path with the same enthusiasm as on the first day for 10 years. The most important aim of the EGET Foundation is to contribute to the cultural and scientific development of society by providing scholarships to students who experience financial difficulties while studying. However, we did not limit ourselves to scholarships only. Because we wanted to address other problems in our country that need solutions. Today, while our lands are polluted with chemicals, the reliability of the food on our tables is causing concern; traditional tourism on the coasts has reached a breaking point. There is a need for new approaches such as ecotourism and acrotourism. That is why our aim is not just to be a civil society organization that provides scholarships, but to establish a strong foundation that focuses on people, values ​​nature, and operates with sustainability principles. Therefore, we aim to create good examples not only with our words but also with the practices we put into action. Because we envision a Turkey where financial inadequacy is not an obstacle to university education, where nature is protected with sustainable agricultural practices, and where contemporary tourism examples are implemented for middle-aged and older people. To turn this dream into reality, we created a strong corporate structure." she stated.

Uzman also touched upon the corporate structure of the EGET Foundation in her speech. She stated that, in addition to the founding board members, the 20-person board of trustees and the advisory board members from different disciplines were selected with great care, thus ensuring that the foundation would continue on its path without deviating from its principles for many years to come.

39,000 Applications, 245 Scholarship Recipients

Özlem Uzman, while explaining the scholarship process, stated that thanks to the BUSEG (Scholarship Recipient Selection and Evaluation System) software they developed in 2016, 39,960 students from all over Turkey have applied online. She said that the applications are evaluated with transparent, measurable, and fair criteria, that candidates whose documents are verified undergo online interviews, and that 245 students have received scholarship support to date. Uzman continued, “But we have so many underprivileged, successful young people, and our power only goes so far. We request documents from candidates who score above a certain threshold. After collecting the documents, we conduct online interviews with the students who reach the final stage, and our scholarship recipients are determined at the end of this multi-stage process.”

Turkey's Most Innovative Foundation

EGET Foundation has become Turkey's first foundation to accept scholarship applications via a mobile application. Uzman stated that students not only receive scholarships but are also raised with a sense of social responsibility, saying:

“We didn't just give our students scholarships. To develop their sense of social responsibility, we established a system for volunteer work and repayment of the scholarship after graduation. In this way, we both created a sense of belonging in them and took steps to ensure the sustainability of the scholarships. We also have a social responsibility project. We require them to volunteer for 3 days a year. This way, we both instill a sense of belonging and ensure the sustainability of the scholarships.”

Revolving Fund and Three Different Scholarship Programs

The foundation runs three scholarship programs: undergraduate scholarships, high school scholarships, and the Safai Memorial Living Safai Undergraduate Scholarships. Its most remarkable aspect is its social entrepreneurship model, which creates its own revolving fund not only through donations but also through developed projects and investments. This system strengthens the scholarship fund and creates employment.

Turkey's Largest Truffle Mushroom Plantation and First Lavender Field

In 2015, the EGET Foundation established Turkey's largest private truffle plantation in Armutçuk, Muğla, on a 22,000 square meter plot of land inoculated with 415 oak saplings. In 2016, it planted lavender on the same land, creating the first lavender field in coastal cities. These steps inspired many farmers and cooperatives in the region.

From Medicinal and Aromatic Plants to Value-Added Products

The foundation advanced lavender production by establishing Muğla's first organically certified lavender distillation unit. It launched cosmetic products made from lavender oil under the EGET brand.

Furthermore, it has won international awards for its olive oils: EGET Kuzluk won a silver medal at Olive Japan in 2020, and EGET Mamacık won silver medals at both Olive Japan and the London International Olive Oil Competition in 2023.

Today, EGET branded products, which have received 5 international quality awards, stand out with both their environmentally friendly production and their social entrepreneurship model that contributes to scholarship funds.

Good Market Membership and Lavender Festivals

Thanks to its sustainable production approach, the foundation was accepted into the Good Market community in 2024, which brings together environmentally friendly producers worldwide. At the annual Lavender Harvest Festival, visitors experience the organic lavender production process and participate in ecology-themed workshops.

Ecology Education for Children and Social Responsibility Projects

Through the "A Handful of Soil, A World of Hope" event, carried out in cooperation with Menteşe Municipality, children receive hands-on ecology education such as making seed balls and preparing compost. Furthermore, the "Doorless Libraries" project has brought books to over 5000 children, and a special children's book titled "I Am Aysen the Worm" has been published. The restored Hacı Yatıklar House now serves as the foundation's headquarters.

HEFTA Project Received Support from Europe

The “HEFTA – Holistic Environmental Education from Training to Action” project, developed by the EGET Foundation, has been awarded international funding under the European Union-supported Next Mediterranean Readiness program.

The project, carried out in collaboration with Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, was one of 60 projects selected from 631 applications from 15 countries, and is among only 3 initiatives from Turkey to receive support.

Reaching the Pinnacle in Sports and Charity

The foundation team, competing in the Eskişehir Half Marathon with the slogan “Hope for Youth, Breath for Nature,” raised 328,200 TL in their first race, providing a year's scholarship for 15 students. This achievement has brought Muğla to the forefront of charitable work.

New Brand: Efilyun

Efilyun, a personal care brand developed with natural and herbal ingredients, uses lemongrass in its first product line. All products are registered with the Turkish Ministry of Health, and sales revenue will be transferred to the scholarship fund. The product launches will be announced to the public after the analysis process.

“We Never Lose Hope”

Özlem Uzman concluded her speech with the following words:

“No matter how challenging the conditions in our country may be, we are moving forward on the path we believe is right, without compromising our principles. As the EGET Foundation, we will continue to create inspiring good examples both in our country and in the world.”