For 68 years, as VakıfBank, we have had a mindset that aims to always stand by all the segments of society; to reach anyone in need in all circumstances, and to support and produce solutions according to the needs from childhood to retirement, in every period of life, anywhere in Turkey.
As a bank that has not only focused on the economic results of its activities since its foundation but has always taken into account its impact on society and nature, we consider sustainable banking as a fundamental element of our strategy. It is thanks to the sustainability perspective embedded in our DNA since day one of our founding backed by our culture as a foundation that we consider the social and ecological implications in every step we take and every product and service we develop. We have been taking a leading role in the sector on energy efficiency and climate, financial inclusion, and supporting production and employment by following the guidance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We continue to support our country with our deep-rooted history, competent team to build the banking of the future from today, strong technological infrastructure, and intellectual, social, and financial strength.
We classify our activities in the field of corporate social responsibility, which we consider one of the main pillars of sustainable banking, under three main headings: ‘education’, ‘culture’, and ‘sports’. With the long-term support we provide and the investments we make, we prioritize value creation for our society.
Education
Believing that the dream of a single child will create changes in society and the world, VakıfBank supports children to look at the future much more hopefully by producing projects that support their dreams as a force that is there for them.
In collaboration with the Ministry of National Education, we have touched the lives of 35 thousand of gifted children under the umbrella of the Science and Arts Training Centers (BİLSEM) that enable children to unlock their potential since 2017. We have taken a role in 54 mechatronics, mind games, and AI workshops, in addition to undertaking the construction of over 170 IT laboratories. This way, we will continue to reach children via BİLSEM centers in the future, as well. Thanks to the new MoU we signed with the Ministry of National Education at the end of 2022, we will keep providing future generations with innovative technologies at 15 new workshops. We plan to reach 69 workshops while celebrating our 69th year in 2023.
Culture
In 2018, we started our activities in culture publishing with VakıfBank Culture Publications (VBKY). We act with the principle of “Ve Benzersiz Kitap/And Unique Book” within the body of VBKY, and we offer books in categories such as literature, history, economics, philosophy, intersections, art, people, and society to our readers within the framework of criteria such as reliable sources, measurable researches, strong and accurate language use. We have the goal of enriching and spreading our cultural and artistic life first at the national and then at the universal level, preserving and developing the assets and values that we are entrusted with and passing them on to future generations. We help many national and international authors from varying disciplines reach wider audiences. We have released over 190 books in four years, backed by our aim to grow Türkiye's cultural heritage and offer qualified, valuable works of art to our readers. Boasting a diverse selection, we seek to be a publisher of books to be read and cherished for years. You can visit our website (www.vbky.com.tr) to review the books published by VBKY.
Sports
VakıfBank Sports Club, the longest-running social benefit project conducted by VakıfBank, is the most successful club in Türkiye that shows what a Turkish woman can achieve internationally today and makes a significant contribution to the development of Turkish sport.
VakıfBank Sports Club, with its volleyball schools and youth development investments, introduces young girls to sports and makes the club's success “sustainable” for 36 years. Over the past six years, we have been there for more than three thousand girls through our sports schools. Owing to VakıfBank Volleyball School we opened in Bosnia Herzegovina's Sarajevo in December 2018, we have become the first club to have opened a volleyball school in Europe. We have raised over 100 players for Turkish sports to date. We will continue attaining many other accomplishments thanks to the players and sportspeople we have raised from our volleyball schools and youth development teams.
Our VakıfBank Women's Volleyball Team holds the title of “Türkiye's most trophy-winning team in the international arena” with 4 FIVB Club World Championships, 5 CEV Champions League Championships, 1 Top Teams Cup Championship, and 1 Challenge Cup Championship. In addition, it received the title of “Volleyball team that won the most official matches in a row” with its 73-match winning streak between October 23, 2012, and January 22, 2014, and the title of the “Team that won the most FIVB Club World Championships” with its championships in the Club World Championship, and it managed to enter the Guinness World Records twice.
You can visit the Club site (www.vakifbanksporkulubu.com) to discover the VakıfBank Sports Club, a source of pride for our bank and country.