A place to grow, a chance to give back

With the support of the European Union through its Humanitarian Aid Operations, UNHCR and its NGO partners help refugees and asylum-seekers in Türkiye access protection services, information and community-based support. These services include support for young people facing difficult circumstances, offering a supportive environment where they can access assistance, develop their skills and connect with their peers.

Lamia, 20, came to Türkiye from Syria with her family. As her mother faces a serious long-term health condition and her two younger sisters also require medical care, she has taken on significant household responsibilities over the years. Alongside these challenges, Lamia initially struggled to adapt to school in Türkiye, particularly because of the language barrier. Determined to continue her education, she worked hard to learn Turkish and to remain in school.

Recognizing the difficulties Lamia was facing, one of her teachers introduced her to the Refugees Association (RASAS), a national NGO partner of UNHCR in Istanbul. “I was going through a very difficult time,” Lamia recalls. “I spoke to my teacher, and she told me about this place and said they might be able to help me.” At the association, Lamia began taking part in different activities and trainings. Over time, the centre became a place where she could learn, connect with others and build her confidence. “There is a huge difference between who I was before I came here and who I am today,” she says. “I feel that my communication skills improved a lot, and I become more confident.”

Lamia believes that the activities and trainings offered at the centre can play an important role in the personal development of young refugees like her. “Recently, I took part in a communication training here. Since I interact with people every day at the centre, I found it particularly useful,” she says. She also sees how access to information can make a difference for people who come to the centre. “Many refugees sometimes do not know where to go even with the simplest questions. That is why centres like this are so important.”

From a place where Lamia sought support, the centre gradually became a community to which she wanted to contribute. For the past year and a half, she has been volunteering at the association alongside her studies, supporting activities ranging from registration and interpretation to mentoring youth, organizing workshops and tutoring children’s groups . “I try to help with whatever I can,” she says. “Even when I help with something small, you can see the happiness and relief in people’s eyes.”

Her own experiences shape the way she supports other young refugees. When she meets students facing difficulties with their education, she encourages them to keep going. “I especially tell young people to continue their education and never stop developing themselves,” she says.

Today, Lamia is in her last year of high school, and she is preparing for university entrance examinations. She hopes to study Interior Architecture, a choice motivated by her long-standing passion for art and painting, which also helped her during challenging times. While working towards her own future, she continues to spend time at the centre that once offered her support— now helping others navigating difficult times.

With the contribution of the European Union and other generous donors, UNHCR Türkiye and its NGO partners provide child protection and other specialized protection services to young people, while community-based activities help create supportive environments and opportunities for meaningful participation. In the first half of 2026, more than 12.000 individuals received protection services, including individual and household-level counselling, information dissemination, child protection and GBV programming services, and community-based protection activities, including for persons with specific needs.