E10316373

 Mevhibe Ateş Technology Foundation

 Mr.

 Volga

 Mrs.

 Pınar 

The Mevhibe Ateş Technology (MAT) Foundation, established in 2023 in Ankara, is a vibrant youth-led institution dedicated to empowering young people (15–30) with the skills, knowledge, and entrepreneurial spirit to thrive in the digital age. With a leadership model where 50% of trustees and 75% of board members are young talents, MAT embodies its youth-centered philosophy and ensures that decision-making is directly informed by the perspectives of those it serves.

MAT’s mission is to prepare youth for active participation in technology-driven societies, while also addressing social inclusion, employability, and responsible innovation. The foundation focuses on emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, blockchain, big data, and the metaverse, enabling young people to both navigate and shape the technological transformation.

The Foundation operates through youth-led teams, which design and deliver educational, entrepreneurial, and creative initiatives. These teams include:

• TechTrackAI – introducing AI careers in schools through accessible and engaging activities.
• WriteRise – providing SEO and digital content training to underprivileged youth, ensuring equal participation in the digital economy.
• Quantum MindScape – offering interactive workshops on quantum technologies, tailored to youth career pathways.
• InnovArt – empowering youth in digital art and music creation, combining creativity with visibility and outreach.
• New Horizons Project Team – training young people in project management rooted in EU values.

MAT also leverages modern AI tools such as ChatGPT, Midjourney, Gamma, VEO3, Suno, Fal.ai for digital art, content creation, and innovative learning, making cutting-edge technology accessible to youth. With more than 60 active youth volunteers from schools and VET institutions, MAT has already built a strong grassroots base to ensure sustainable impact.

By combining education, research, entrepreneurship, and creativity, MAT positions itself as a key partner for Erasmus+ projects that aim to advance digital transformation, youth entrepreneurship, employability, and climate-smart innovation.

Target Group

15-30 technology enthusiasts young people. MAT work with schools to train youth.

Key Staff

Volga Günel
— Senior frontend engineer and software developer with experience across major Turkish platforms, including Paycell Vitrin, İştePaycell, Fiyuu, Albaraka Insha, TiklaGelsin, GarantiConnect, the GarantiBBVA website redesign and ArkHive. A Galatasaray University Computer Engineering graduate, he has served as Software Development Manager at Eteration and held multiple frontend roles at Garanti Teknoloji and Paycell, building mobile and web components at scale. His stack spans React/React Native, AngularJS, JSP, jQuery, Java and Node.js, and he works in English and French. He also leads a youth technology foundation as President, focusing on awareness of emerging technologies.;

Ceren Kanlısoy — Third-year Psychology student at Haliç University (100% English track), class representative, and active academic assistant, with stints supporting professors in Social Psychology and forensics-related research. She completed an 80-hour Private Investigation training and has contributed to publications, including a book chapter on “Cyberbullying and Online Harassment in the 21st Century,” alongside forensic science blog work. Her volunteering includes the Haliç University Volunteer Club and Shivi Forensics, where she was named “Best Volunteer.” She communicates in Turkish (native), English (professional), and German (entry), and lists skills in youth mentoring, project coordination, and management.  

Pınar Koç
— Physics undergraduate at Istanbul University with early leadership and coordination experience across student and STEM communities. She has served as a Head of the Supervision Board in the Istanbul University Physics Club, contributed as a project team member and QWomen Team Lead at QTurkey, and volunteers as a content creator at a national science community. She is currently a Project Manager at the Mevhibe Ateş Technology Foundation, and has undertaken a software internship at DFN Technik GmbH. Her skill set spans project coordination, youth mentoring, and problem solving, with additional exposure to SEO and AI tools; she works in Turkish (native), English (advanced) and German (beginner);

Arda Taşkın
— AI researcher specializing in AI-driven automation, agentic systems and machine learning, with roles at ArtWN Luminous Tech and Mevhibe Ateş Technology Foundation. He has led a NASA Space Apps 2024 team on a global, data-driven project and holds extensive international experience via Erasmus+ collaboration, including mobility in Cologne with Xient GmbH and L4Y Learning for Youth GmbH and SAP exposure at Birkenstock. His portfolio includes 20+ certifications across AI, cybersecurity and analytics, and he communicates in English (B2) with basic German (A2). He also produces AI-powered educational content on YouTube and has freelance experience in web and 3D design.;

Alperen Kala
— Entrepreneur and founder of Monexa Capital (London), building Web3-fintech solutions that integrate crypto assets with global e-commerce; concurrently recognized as Blockchain Team Lead at MAT. He reports pilot-test collaboration with European partners and prior international 3D product/visual design work for companies in the US, France, UK and Spain, experience that honed cross-cultural communication. He is an alumnus of the Baykar National Technology Program with top-2% national ranking and has begun Business Administration studies at Çukurova University; languages include Turkish (native), English (A2) and Italian (A1).

Since its establishment, MAT Foundation has rapidly developed a strong portfolio of youth-driven initiatives and Erasmus+ projects, with activities spanning AI, digital skills, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. Its teams and projects align with Erasmus+ KA220 priorities of youth empowerment, employability, inclusion, and digital transformation.

Key Youth and VET Projects

• Your Time-Wasting Life on Social Media and Its Business Opportunities Inside (2023-1-PL01-KA210-YOU-000159357): A youth-focused project tackling phone and social media overuse while highlighting entrepreneurial opportunities. Activities included pilot workshops, local trainings, and a Youth Contest, complemented by 45 interviews that informed a Country Report on impact. MAT contributed to training design and youth engagement.
• Future-Proof Big Data (2024-1-DE02-KA210-VET-000251001): A VET project addressing the rising demand for big data expertise in Europe. MAT supported needs analysis, modular curriculum development, and dissemination, as well as piloting training sessions and youth innovation contests to enhance digital readiness among young learners.

Youth-Led Thematic Teams

• TechTrackAI: School-based outreach team introducing AI careers through engaging and accessible sessions.
• WriteRise – SEO Training for Youth: Equipping disadvantaged young people with SEO and content creation skills to support visibility of youth initiatives.
• InnovArt – Digital Art & Music: Training youth in creative use of AI for digital art, design, and music, linked to awareness campaigns.
• New Horizons PT: Training young people in project management methodologies rooted in EU values, preparing them for leadership in international cooperation.
• Quantum MindScape: Organising quantum computing career workshops for secondary and VET students, making advanced tech fields accessible at an early stage.

Seminars and Webinars

MAT organises seminars, webinars, and awareness campaigns at the intersection of youth and technology, raising awareness on issues ranging from responsible AI use to youth employability.

Target Group and Impact

MAT primarily serves young people aged 15–30, especially technology enthusiasts, disadvantaged youth, and students from schools and VET backgrounds. Its 60+ active volunteers form the backbone of its grassroots initiatives. By equipping young people with practical tech skills, entrepreneurial mindsets, and EU-based project management approaches, MAT ensures both individual growth and community impact.

Capacity and Added Value

Despite being a newly founded institution, MAT Foundation demonstrates strong organisational capacity through:

• Youth-driven governance that ensures fresh perspectives and ownership.
• Multidisciplinary expertise spanning AI, quantum, blockchain, and creative industries.
• Proven Erasmus+ experience in Youth and VET projects.
• Modern AI-powered methodologies that make learning engaging and scalable.

Through these activities, MAT Foundation contributes a unique, youth-led, technology-driven approach to Erasmus+ partnerships, offering both innovation and inclusivity to European cooperation projects.