A crowd of people is working on the projects that are and have been launched in Istanbul within the scope of the European Capital of Culture. But everything is not limited by the works fulfilled by them. Because Istanbul is a large city and there are many people who put great effort for having good achievements. So many people put their hearts into these projects.

One of them is the “Young Volunteers of Istanbul: 18 -70 Project”.

“Young Volunteers of Istanbul: 18 -70 Project” is a volunteering program intended to attain voluntary participation of Istanbul residents for introducing the city and activities to the guests coming from inland and abroad and facilitating the projects that are carried out within Istanbul 2010 European Capital Of Culture.

Within this project residents of Istanbul from different social backgrounds will be presented the volunteering program in order to encourage their participation. The project targets to reach or for 100 volunteered group leaders and 10.000 registered volunteers.

It is planned to gain participation to Istanbul 2010 activities from all segments of the society such as youngsters, employees, housewives, the disabled, the retired etc. A database storing information on the volunteers will help volunteers find activities.

Volunteers who will be the group leaders will be trained by lecturers experienced in NGOs and volunteerism. Volunteers will be supported continually through meetings, training, electronic telecommunications and social activities. The volunteers program is expected to get high interest from Istanbul residents and to create a model with respect to its scope and the number of the volunteers.

The Young Volunteers of Istanbul: 18 -70 Project, on one side, allocates human resources for the events organized and, on the other side, enables the residents of Istanbul to participate into the projects launched for 2010 more actively.

Launched in August, more than 100 people from Istanbul enrolled for the volunteering program of Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture. After completing the orientation training, the volunteers started taking part in various events of Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture such as CAMOC ’09 International Conference, the Portable art project of Visual Arts Directorate, the Istanbul 2010 ECOC promotion stand at the CeBit Eurasia Fair.

In addition, a "Basic Training Program for Active Volunteers" was held at Sepetçiler Mansion on 2-4 October for volunteers who are willing to take more time and to contribute to the program.

The number of volunteers increased with each passing day. After one and a half months of the start of the project, 310 people out of 1400 people who were informed about the Project applied to the 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency to take part in the events organized.

One of the most important mechanisms of participation of Community Volunteers, the Youth Councils were realized for the 14th time at Ondokuz Mayıs University in Samsun on 14-18 October 2009 with the participation of nearly 270 young people from different cities of Turkey.

During the 14th Youth Council the young participants kept on discussing and developing the "Youth Participation" theme which had been on the agenda for one year.

Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency Volunteering Program joined the council with the workshop named "Volunteer Experience in European Capital of Culture" and attracted great interest from the Community Volunteers organizations coming from all over Turkey.

The workshop realized with the participation of Istanbul Community Volunteer organizations elaborated European Capital of Culture volunteering as a means of social participation. Young participants inferred that Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture events must be followed as citizens; and concluded on working together upon returning to Istanbul for the inclusion of disadvantaged groups to European Capital of Culture events.

A special importance is laid upon the projects and events participated by youth within the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture projects.

The “Such is youth” project was initiated by the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency within the scope of Visual Arts Directorate, features the book named “Today is the day” which compiles photographs by Sıtkı Kosemen and interviews by Zeynep Tunusluoğlu. The book reveals the profile of the Istanbul youth with all colors and angles, with references to general trends, patterns of life, freedom concepts and future perspectives of the youngsters.

The project “Such is youth” combining photography with the sociological research, registered the problems, dreams, hopes and fears of young people between 15 and 22 years of age who were from different income levels.

Results of the studies with a total of 470 young people who were interviewed by Zeynep Tunusluoğlu and photographed by Sıtkı Kosemen were gathered in the book named "Today is the day".

According to the results of the "Such is Youth" research project, the stress is also a common problem for the young people just like as today’s modern men. They face stress at a very early age. Among the surveyed group of 15-22 ages, more than two-thirds of the young people think that their life is stressful.

Apparently the stress is the biggest problem of today's youth. They need more support and morale from everyone. Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency gives them support with the various projects they launch.

Istanbul should not be taken into consideration with its historical monuments, sea or location. But it is very promising to see that projects regarding human beings are also launched in Istanbul.