On the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December), iGA Istanbul Airport partnered with the Spastic Children's Foundation of Turkey to launch the “Fly to Dreams” project, aimed at raising awareness of cerebral palsy and supporting technology-based rehabilitation.

• A dedicated experience zone was set up inside the airport, where visitors engaged with SmartPose, a scientific game that fostered empathy with children’s rehabilitation journeys.
• Through the digital platform hayallerekanatac.com, participants also designed their own airplanes, with each design contributing to donations made by iGA to support children with cerebral palsy.
• As a result, 50 children received eight rehabilitation sessions each, ensuring the project delivered tangible social benefits beyond awareness-raising.

Wings to Dreams stands out as one of the strongest examples of iGA Istanbul Airport’s accessibility vision and its philosophy of being an “Airport for All.”

On World Autism Awareness Day (2 April), iGA Istanbul Airport collaborated with the Turkish Foundation for the Support and Training of the Autistic (TODEV) to launch “Dreams are Moving to Digital: From Canvas to Pixels.”

• Children with autism illustrated their dream journeys, which were then digitized and enriched with augmented reality (AR) technology, allowing their limitless imaginations to reach broad audiences online.
• In the next step, the children and their families traveled from Istanbul to Antalya using iGA’s “Yanımda” accessibility services, enjoying an unforgettable visit to The Land of Legends Theme Park.
• NFT versions of the artworks were created and sold for $1,000 each, with all proceeds donated to TODEV.
• An exhibition inside the airport terminal further allowed passengers to experience this unique journey.

Company representatives noted, “The sparkle in the eyes of the children who joined this project reminds us how meaningful our steps in accessibility truly are.” The initiative exemplifies how art, technology, accessibility, and social awareness can come together in an innovative and impactful way.

In partnership with Turkish Airlines and Turkish Corporate Social Responsibility Association, iGA Istanbul Airport organized the iGA Social Hackathon Competition to foster social impact and encourage entrepreneurship.

Held in October 2020, the two-day event brought together participants to develop innovative project ideas under the themes of SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. The competition not only provided a platform for creative solutions but also rewarded the winners with monetary prizes, underlining iGA’s commitment to sustainable development and social innovation.

Launched by iGA Istanbul Airport, the ARTWIST Project was designed to contribute to the zero-waste goal by giving discarded materials new creative and economic value. Through upcycling, construction waste was transformed into artworks, with the proceeds directed toward social benefit initiatives.

In 2019, 100 tons of construction waste from Istanbul Airport were repurposed into 39 artworks across 34 workshops. These works were exhibited at the airport, raising awareness among thousands of passengers.

“I Give Voice”: Revenue from the auction of the main pieces was allocated to establish the “I Give Voice” sub-project in collaboration with Istanbul Technical University’s Turkish Music State Conservatory. Through this initiative, music and dance studios were equipped, and children received training from conservatory instructors, gaining rehabilitation and social inclusion opportunities through art.

In the following year, a call was launched under “Artwist—From Waste to Sculpture,” inviting university students and recent graduates to create sculptures. Ten selected works were displayed at the airport, while a special collection by artist and academic Prof. Rahmi Atalay (Eagle–Bull–Fish) was sold in an online auction, with proceeds donated to KAÇUV, TESYEV, and ENEV.

The ARTWIST Project stands as a strong example of how environmental sustainability and social responsibility can converge to deliver lasting value.

As part of the iGA Rural Development Program, the iGA Development Academy was launched in 2018 in collaboration with the Turkish Corporate Social Responsibility Association (TKSSD) to strengthen the capacities of rural youth and farmers while enhancing their income opportunities.

Through the program, young participants received training in train-the-trainer methodology, financial literacy, communication skills, social entrepreneurship, and business planning/management. Upon completion, they were assigned to their local communities to transfer knowledge and support farmers directly.

With the support of mentors, activities such as community events and coffeehouse gatherings reached over 750 farmers and residents. By sharing their knowledge, young participants not only developed their own capacities but also contributed directly to rural development.

KOSGEB Applied Entrepreneurship Training

In collaboration with Istanbul Technical University and KOSGEB, professional trainers delivered entrepreneurship and business planning education to 60 local residents. Participants who successfully completed the program gained the opportunity to access grants and interest-free loans from KOSGEB if their business plans were approved.

This project enhanced the community’s economic participation and supported the realization of new business ideas, empowering residents to build sustainable livelihoods.

Launched with a lifelong learning approach, the Weaving Project enabled 10 women from the villages of Tayakadın, Akpınar, and Durusu to receive weaving training at Nişantaşı University with the support of the Anatolian Development Agency. The aim was to provide women with vocational skills—seen as a “golden bracelet” for lifelong security—while enabling them to generate income as trainers and producers.

To sustain the program, two weaving looms were purchased and placed in the villages of Akpınar and Durusu. The project also delivered significant environmental benefits: a total of 10,168 old uniforms from iGA’s security team were shredded into threads and repurposed for fabric production. These threads were handed over to local women, who used them to weave new textiles. Ultimately, the fabrics were transformed into clothing and bags designed by artist Fırat Neziroğlu, showcasing a creative example of upcycling and circular economy.

Organized for three consecutive years between 2016 and 2018, the program aimed to introduce aviation to young people, spark their interest, and enhance their knowledge of the field.

Participating in teams, high school students received training on electric motor–powered model aircraft. Following the training, they designed and built their own planes in compliance with competition rules and successfully tested them in flight. The third edition of the program was held in 2018 at Istanbul Airport as part of TEKNOFEST, with the award ceremony taking place on the festival’s main stage.

This project was internationally recognized in 2017 when it received the International Corporate Social Responsibility Excellence Award from CSR Europe.

In collaboration with the Durusu Roma Association, iGA provided photography training to 18 students aged 9 to 15 from the Roma community as part of the Hıdırellez Festival in 2016.

At the end of the training, the students were given disposable film cameras. From the photographs they captured, 43 works were selected and exhibited in May 2016 at Durusu’s main square.

The project supported children in developing their creativity and self-expression through art, while also encouraging their continued participation in education. In recognition of its impact, the initiative received the International Corporate Social Responsibility Award from JCI in 2016.

A Family Health Center constructed in Tayakadın now provides healthcare services to thousands of residents. In addition, more than 3,000 students have benefited from dental and oral health screenings, supporting early health awareness.

Children and teachers participated in workshops at the Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden, gaining hands-on experience with nature. At the hobby garden established at Ağaçlı Primary School, students planted seedlings and learned how to grow vegetables and fruits.

Primary school programs also covered waste management, hygiene, and traffic safety, with students receiving soap and reflective badges as part of the training.

In collaboration with Istanbul Modern in 2017, children engaged in workshops on music, graffiti, dance, and sculpture. These activities fostered creativity and teamwork, offering a joyful and inspiring learning experience.

Between 2019 and 2021, employees donated second-hand but fully functional household items, which were collected and distributed to families in need through Eyüp Municipality Social Support Services. This project contributed to the circular economy while directly improving the living conditions of local households, transforming employee volunteerism into tangible social value.

Recycling bins placed at four points inside the terminal collected 400 kg of blue plastic caps, which were repurposed at Gültepe Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School into protective face shields for healthcare workers. In the first stage, 1,000 shields were donated to Arnavutköy State Hospital and 2,000 to Eyüp and Okmeydanı Hospitals. The project provided direct support to frontline healthcare workers during the pandemic while contributing to circular economy practices.

In cooperation with Boğaziçi University’s GETEM (Technology and Education Laboratory for the Visually Impaired), iGA employees volunteered as readers, recording selected books that were then made accessible to visually impaired individuals through GETEM’s technological infrastructure. Launched in 2020 with 17 volunteers, the project has since supported equal access to knowledge and cultural resources, showcasing how employee volunteerism can deliver lasting social value.