Turkish Cities Launch Free Youth Programs in Eskişehir and Ankara

The Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality, together with UNDP, the Turkish Municipalities Union and EU funding, operates the Digital Youth Center (DİGEM). The centre provides free training in software development, artificial intelligence, robotics, game and web development, and digital marketing. Courses last 15‑25 hours over about a month, with 30 different modules offered to young people who are not in education or employment. Educator Yusuf Kenan Uğur explains that the programmes are completely free and applications are accepted via the municipality’s Instagram page and website.

In Ankara, the Çankaya Municipality continues its "Beş Çayı" series, inviting residents aged 18‑35 to meet over tea for informal conversation. Each session is limited to 20 participants and is held at the Çankaya Youth Center on 6 August 2026 from 17:30 to 19:30. The gatherings are described as safe, non‑academic spaces for listening and sharing, facilitated by Z. Betül Demirses‑Teke and Ş. Baran Yetişmiş. Applications close on 3 August.

Both initiatives aim to strengthen youth skills and social connections through free, locally organized programmes.