Through the English Chance Program and a unique partnership with Goldman Sachs, Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF) and Esas Sosyal opened new pathways for students from under-resourced Turkish universities to strengthen their English, build professional skills, and connect with global career mentors. While the English Chance Program already provides language training, career development, and mentoring, the partnership with Goldman Sachs Community TeamWorks added a powerful new dimension: the Speed Mentoring Event. This initiative brought together Goldman Sachs professionals from around the world with Turkish students for real-time, high-impact guidance—broadening horizons, building confidence, and exposing participants to career perspectives at a truly global level.
The Challenge
Language barriers: Research by Esas Social shows that one in four Turkish university students report inadequate English proficiency.
Skill gaps: 55% of university students seek additional courses outside of school to strengthen employability.
Network limitations: Students from lesser-known universities lack exposure to industry professionals and global career pathways, which hinders competitiveness in the job market.
The Response: Supporting Youth Through Skill-Building
Youth employment in Türkiye is not only an economic challenge—it is also a matter of equity and inclusion. Proficiency in English, professional soft skills, and access to diverse networks are vital drivers of upward mobility, yet for many first-generation university students, these opportunities remain out of reach.
Esas Social launched the English Chance Program in 2020 to address these challenges by offering English training, structured soft-skills workshops by a prestigious institution, Berlitz,—including time management, CV preparation, diversity and inclusion, and interview simulations—and comprehensive career development resources.
Innovative Partnership for Greater Impact: Esas Social, TPF and Goldman Sachs
The collaboration between Esas Sosyal, TPF, and Goldman Sachs shows how cross-sector partnerships can multiply social impact. Esas Sosyal brings local expertise and a data-driven approach to youth development; TPF contributes its philanthropic network and facilitated the connection with Goldman Sachs through the Community TeamWorks Program; and Goldman Sachs provides global corporate expertise and volunteer mentorship.
The Speed Mentoring Event, which connected Turkish students with Goldman Sachs professionals worldwide for real-time, high-impact career guidance merged language training, professional skill-building, and international mentorship into a single experience. The initiative strengthened employability, built confidence, and expanded students’ career horizons.
This partnership demonstrates that when underserved youth, particularly women and first-generation graduates, are equipped with targeted training, mentorship, and access to global networks, they are more likely to overcome systemic barriers. Empowering young people with these tools fosters inclusive economic opportunity and drives long-term social mobility in Türkiye.
Esas Social
Esas Social is a pioneering social investment platform established in 2015 by Esas Holding, one of Türkiye’s leading investment firms. Focused on addressing systemic inequality, Esas Social develops long-term programs that create equal opportunities for young people from underprivileged backgrounds—especially first-generation university graduates from public universities.
Its flagship initiatives, such as the First Chance Program and the English Chance Program, provide comprehensive support through training, mentoring, employment readiness, and language development. Esas Social stands out for its data-driven approach and commitment to measurable impact, social justice, and intergenerational equity.
With strong ties to civil society and the private sector, Esas Sosyal acts as a bridge between youth and opportunity. Their partnership with TPF has enabled their work to reach a wider, global audience and connect with the Turkish diaspora in meaningful ways.
Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs is a global financial powerhouse that also leads in corporate citizenship through volunteerism and philanthropy. With a focus on economic empowerment, education, and inclusive growth, Goldman Sachs encourages its employees to engage in meaningful service—mentoring young people, sharing expertise, and supporting social causes around the world through the Goldman Sachs Community Teamworks Program.
As part of this commitment, Goldman Sachs partnered with Esas Social and TPF to participate in the Speed Mentoring event for the English Chance Program volunteers from various Goldman Sachs offices around the world including the US, UK, Switzerland, offered real-time career advice, mentorship, and inspiration to Turkish youth navigating academic and professional transitions.
This partnership reflects Goldman Sachs' belief in the power of knowledge-sharing and inclusive mentorship. By connecting with young people in Türkiye, they help expand career aspirations, build confidence, and open doors to global perspectives.