EGET FOUNDATION, BASED IN MUĞLA, CELEBRATED ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY: TRACES EXTENDING FROM EDUCATION TO NATURE

Muğla Newspaper / September 17, 2025

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The EGET Foundation, in a press conference held on its 10th anniversary, shared its contributions to society in many areas, from scholarship systems to organic farming, from lavender projects to cosmetics production. The foundation aims to provide equal opportunities for students with the BUSED software and to increase its international impact with the European project HEEFTA.

The Muğla-based Education, Geriatrics, Ecological Agriculture and Tourism Foundation (EGET) shared its projects completed over the past ten years and its future goals with the public at a press conference held to mark its 10th anniversary. Board Chair Özlem Uzman emphasized EGET's mission since 2015: to keep young people engaged in education, to produce environmentally friendly projects, and to create added value for society.

Uzman stated that, based on the foundation's principle of "All our activities are focused on ensuring our youth do not drop out of education," the BUSED software, which evaluates student applications with objective criteria, has been implemented. She said that 39,960 students have been included in the system since the first application period, and 245 students have been awarded scholarships.

Özlem Uzman also discussed the foundation's work on soil and nature conservation, noting that projects such as transitioning to cosmetic products with organic lavender, distillation units, internationally awarded olive oils, and the reintroduction of heirloom seeds have increased EGET's impact at both local and national levels.

The foundation's European dimension was also on the agenda: she stated that the HEEFTA (Holistic Environmental Education From Training To Action) project was selected from among 631 applications and that environmental awareness campaigns will begin in many countries under the EU-supported Interreg NEXT Mediterranean Basin Program.

Özlem Uzman shared future goals such as "reaching more young people," "expanding gerontology and healthy living studies," "establishing an ecological living center," and "creating sustainable resources by increasing exports." The foundation demonstrates that it is expanding its impact not only through scholarships but also through environmentally friendly agriculture, organic production, social entrepreneurship, and cultural activities.