EGET FOUNDATION MET WITH THE PRESS ON ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY

Nejat Altınsoy / September 16, 2025

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The EGET Foundation, established by architect and poet Safaî Özer and Özlem Uzman, met with the Muğla press at the Muğla Yücelen Hotel on its 10th anniversary. 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, EGET Foundation Founder Özlem Uzman emphasized that they aim to be not just a scholarship-giving organization, 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 are awaiting 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 need a strong institutional structure.” "We created it," she said. 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 for years without deviating from its principles.

39,000 Applications, 245 Scholarship Recipients

Özlem Uzman, while explaining the scholarship processes, stated that thanks to the BUSEG (Scholarship Recipient Selection and Evaluation System) software they developed since 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 applications are verified with documents are interviewed online, and that 245 students have received scholarship support to date. Uzman stated, “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 reviewing the documents, we conduct online interviews with the students who make it to the final stage, and our scholarship recipients are determined at the end of this multi-stage process.”

Turkey’s Most Innovative Foundation

Uzman pointed out that EGET Foundation is the first foundation in Turkey to accept scholarship applications via a mobile application, adding that students not only receive scholarships but are also raised with a sense of social responsibility: “We didn’t just give scholarships to our students. 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 Undergraduate Scholarships. Its most remarkable feature is its social enterprise model, which generates 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 Plantation and First Lavender Field

In 2015, the EGET Foundation established Turkey's largest private truffle plantation on a 22,000 square meter plot of land in Armutçuk, Muğla, planted 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 has advanced lavender production by establishing Muğla's first organically certified lavender distillation unit. It has launched cosmetic products made from lavender oil under the EGET brand. Furthermore, its olive oils have won international awards: EGET Kuzluk won a silver medal at Olive Japan in 2020, and EGET Memecik 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 both for 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, bringing 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 and Social Responsibility Projects for Children

Through the “A Handful of Soil, A World of Hope” event, carried out in cooperation with Menteşe Municipality, children are given hands-on ecology education such as making seed balls and preparing compost. In addition, the “Libraries Without Doors” 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 center.

HEEFTA Project Receives European Support

The “HEFTA (Holistic Environmental Education from Training to Action)” project, developed by the EGET Foundation, has been awarded international support under the European Union-supported Next Mediterranean Readiness program. The project, conducted in collaboration with Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, was selected as one of 60 projects out of 631 applications from 15 countries, and is among only 3 initiatives from Turkey to receive support.

Reaching the Summit of Donations

The foundation team, competing in the Eskişehir Half Marathon with the slogan “Hope for Youth, Breath for Nature,” raised 328,200 TL in donations 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 series. All products are registered with the Turkish Ministry of Health, and sales revenue will be transferred to the scholarship fund. Product launch analysis... The details will be announced to the public after the process.

“We Never Lose Hope”

Özlem Uzman concluded her speech with these 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.” After the meeting, EGET Foundation Board Chairman Özlem Uzman and Board Member Dr. Naki Bulut answered journalists' questions. The meeting ended with a family photo.