tr
TOG’s Founding Honorary President – İbrahim Betil
Everything began with believing in the power of young people to create change.
The story of the Community Volunteers Foundation (TOG) sprouted in 2002 through İbrahim Betil’s deep belief in young people.
İbrahim Betil believed in the potential of youth, in their desire for change, and in their sense of responsibility toward society. This belief did not remain just a thought; it transformed into a promise made shoulder-to-shoulder with young people — into a movement.
Betil saw that young people could take ownership of the issues in their own cities and neighborhoods, and that this ownership would transform not only society but also themselves in profound ways. In a short time, TOG evolved into a youth movement that grew, developed, and took root with young people from all over Türkiye. “Here, young people make the decisions and carry them out. This is what makes TOG, TOG,” Betil said. This was not just a sentence; it was a philosophy, a first step, a compass for the path walked by thousands of volunteers.
Today, TOG is the address of young people who carry hope, produce solutions, and build solidarity across all 81 provinces of Türkiye. Every Community Volunteer takes their first step into volunteering with a dream of a more just, equal, and livable world.
This dream, which began under the leadership of İbrahim Betil, continues to grow with every new volunteer.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to TOG’s Founding Honorary President, İbrahim Betil, for transforming his dream into action, inspiring thousands of young people, and redefining the trust placed in youth.
“TOG is not just a place where young people receive support, but one they build themselves.” — İbrahim Betil
About İbrahim Betil
İbrahim Betil completed his education at Boğaziçi University in 1968. After many years of serving as an executive in the banking sector and private industry, his path intersected with civil society. He carried out volunteer work as a founder, board member/chair, and supervisory board member at numerous civil society organizations, most notably the Educational Volunteers Foundation of Turkey (TEGV), the Community Volunteers Foundation (TOG), and the Sen de Gel Association. Thanks to him, not only institutions but also the lives of thousands of young people were transformed.
Today, as TOG’s Honorary President and a member of the Board of Trustees, he continues to inspire young people with the same belief and passion.