16.07.2026 16:50
According to Mehmet İlhan Gülay, the way to leave a truly lasting impact in social responsibility projects is not through momentary aid, but by building sustainable systems that can stand on their own. The Gülaylar Foundation, which transforms the century-old corporate experience of Gülaylar Group into social benefit, operates precisely with this vision.
New approach in social responsibility: Not aid, but impact model
Unfortunately, the impact of periodic aid that saves the day is short-lived. Creating lasting benefit in society requires building self-sustaining systems in every area from education to health.
This is the fundamental reason why Gülaylar Foundation places long-term monitoring, impact measurement, and continuous development at the center of all its projects. Because real social responsibility gains value not by offering momentary support, but by building structures that touch people's lives and initiate lasting transformation.
Who is İlhan Gülay?
Mehmet İlhan Gülay is one of the third-generation shareholders of Gülaylar Group, founded in 1926. Gülay plays an active role in the vision of Gülaylar Foundation, which carries the company's nearly 100-year corporate legacy into the realm of social benefit.
Mehmet İlhan Gülay's foundation vision
In Gülay's approach, Gülaylar Foundation is not seen merely as a donation structure. The goal is for young people to reach the competence to compete globally; to raise a generation that is at peace with technology, entrepreneurial, and productive. This vision is shaped by an approach that considers local values together with a global perspective. The understanding "we are not just establishing a foundation" shows that the foundation is positioned with a broader goal than the classical social aid model.
Gülaylar Foundation's main focus areas
The foundation's field activities are built on five main pillars that directly affect social development:
Education: Projects that ensure young people's access to quality education opportunities within the framework of equal opportunity.
Health: Infrastructure efforts carried out so that all segments of society can benefit from world-class, quality healthcare services.
Youth: Support programs that highlight visionary entrepreneurs who are at peace with technology and have the competence to compete on the global stage.
Women and Girls: Steps that will strengthen women's hand and open space for them at every stage from school desks to the business world.
Orphans: Structures that closely follow the education and development stages of children who start life disadvantaged and safely reintegrate them into society.
Why is technology literacy at the center of social benefit?
In the new era's understanding of social responsibility, the weight of digital competencies increases day by day. The issue is no longer just about providing support to young people; it is about preparing them directly for the professions of the future.
The bridge established between technology literacy and entrepreneurship enables young people to progress much faster in the business world and social life. In short, a future-oriented and truly functioning social benefit model is possible not just by laying opportunities before young people, but by equipping them with skills suitable for the dynamics of the new world.
Goal of entrepreneurial youth
Gülaylar Foundation has an approach far beyond the conventional "aid" concept. The foundation sees entrepreneurship as a fundamental ground not only for young people to make an economic contribution, but to gain self-confidence and become involved in active production. The matter is not just about creating added value within Turkey; it is about discovering talents with international vision who can step onto the global stage.
Naturally, this goal necessitates the establishment of quality education, proper mentorship, and a strong communication network. In Mehmet İlhan Gülay's vision, young people stand out not as passive recipients of help, but as main actors who will directly build the future and represent us in the world.
Empowerment model for women and girls
The most sensitive and backbone point of social responsibility projects is work aimed at women and girls. Ensuring equal opportunity in education for girls and the strong inclusion of women in employment and social life directly determines the development pace of the entire society. Precisely for this reason, there is a need for long-term support programs instead of day-to-day aid. Because lasting social transformation can only be created when women, the cornerstone of society, stand firmly on their own feet.
So, how can local dynamics and international standards be blended in the same pot?
While examining globally successful models, Gülaylar Foundation prefers to build a structure fully compatible with Turkey's own cultural and social fabric, rather than copying them directly. In this process, transparency, ethical principles, and a professional management approach stand out not just as corporate procedures, but as the main pillars of a strong trust bond established between the society and the foundation.
Social innovation: How will foundations create value in the future?
Making social benefit measurable is the primary priority of new-generation foundations. A model-based rather than project-based approach to aid strengthens sustainability in education, health, and youth projects. The role of corporate structures in the field of social innovation is also increasing in this context.
New-generation foundations are not merely structures that transfer resources; they are becoming social innovation centers that develop systematic solutions to problems.
Reflection of Gülaylar Group's 100-year legacy on society
The corporate legacy dating back to 1926 gains a new dimension by transferring business world experience into social benefit. The approach of "constantly doing better" is also carried into the foundation area, and corporate values are integrated with social responsibility.