Instagram Facebook-f X-twitter Linkedin-in Youtube Tiktok
gofor-logo-en

Who is GoFor?

The Youth Organizations Forum (GoFor) is the umbrella organization of youth organizations in Türkiye. Since 2015, we have been advocating for a rights-based approach to youth policy.

We are a democratic, participatory, inclusive, transparent, rights-based, civic, and independent organization grounded in universal values and committed to defending the rights of young people in Türkiye. We work alongside youth organizations to support young people’s equal participation in social, economic, and political life and to ensure their meaningful involvement in decision-making processes.

We support the active participation of youth organizations in the processes of developing, implementing, and monitoring youth policies in line with universal standards. We carry out advocacy efforts to ensure that these policies are legally safeguarded through cooperation between public institutions and civil society, and that they are implemented effectively.

To build the foundations of youth policies, we raise awareness, defend young people’s rights, and strengthen the capacities of youth organizations. With a rights-based approach, we produce knowledge and support youth organizations by providing technical, organizational, and content-based assistance to strengthen their work.

We seek recognition as the National Youth Council, a consultative body that works with public institutions to ensure the representation of young people at both national and international levels and to support their participation in policy-making processes.

↩ Just a heads-up:
For many years in Türkiye, there has been a clear need for a national youth council grounded in universal values. Its role would be to ensure youth representation at the national level and enable young people’s participation in policy-making processes. In response to this need, different youth organizations came together in 2013 to establish the National Youth Council (UGK) Joint Platform. In 2014, the platform was renamed the National Youth Council Initiative (UGKG) and, in the same year, took the name “Youth Organizations Forum” (GoFor). GoFor gained legal status and became an association in 2015.

Governing Bodies

The General Assembly is GoFor’s highest decision-making body and ordinarily meets once a year. Representatives of all member organizations participate in the meeting. The purpose of the General Assembly is to make decisions regarding GoFor’s overall work and to ensure that these decisions are reflected in written documents such as the bylaws, the principles and values document, and the rules of procedure. The General Assembly also elects the Executive Board, the Audit Board, and the Membership Evaluation Board every two years and is responsible for overseeing all governing bodies.

The Board of Directors is elected by the General Assembly every two years and is responsible for overseeing the functioning of GoFor and implementing its decisions. Its role is to carry out GoFor’s activities and to support the organization’s work in line with the needs and priorities of its member organizations. The Board of Directors consists of five members: two Co-Chairs, one Secretary, one Treasurer, and one Member. If a position becomes vacant, five alternate members elected by the General Assembly are available to take on responsibilities as needed.

The Audit Board is elected by the General Assembly every two years. Its role is to audit the Executive Board at least once a year and to document this process through reporting. The annual audit report is presented to all members at the General Assembly held each year and supports the evaluation of the Executive Board’s work. The Audit Board consists of three members. In the event of a vacancy, three alternate members elected by the General Assembly are available to ensure the continuity of its work.

The Membership Evaluation Committee is composed of three members and reviews applications from organizations seeking membership in GoFor, conducting online meetings or on-site visits when needed. The results of these evaluations are shared with the Board of Directors on a regular basis. For organizations approved by the Board of Directors, the candidacy membership process is then initiated. The Committee also conducts visits to organizations seeking to move from candidacy membership to observer membership or from observer membership to full membership. Based on these visits, it prepares reports that are first submitted to the Board of Directors and then presented to the General Assembly, which holds the authority to make final decisions. The Membership Evaluation Committee is elected by the General Assembly for a two-year term. At least one full member organization without legal personality must be represented on the Committee.

GoFor establishes working groups to ensure the active participation of its member organizations in policy development and advocacy processes. Working groups are formed around specific topics or needs, either upon the proposal of member organizations or at the call of the Secretariat. Participation is based on voluntary involvement, and each working group determines its own working methods, scope, and duration. Working groups operate to develop youth-focused policies within their respective areas, carry out research and monitoring activities, and bring the outcomes of this work into GoFor’s decision-making processes.

The Secretariat is composed of professional staff with experience in the civil society field and works to facilitate GoFor’s activities. While it does not have a role in decision-making processes, the Secretariat may provide recommendations to GoFor’s governing bodies when needed and supports the effective and efficient implementation of activities within the organization.

Skip to content