European Integration Group (Avrupa Entegrasyon Derneği)

What European Integration Group (Avrupa Entegrasyon Derneği) does

European Integration Group (Avrupa Entegrasyon Derneği) is a non-governmental organization founded in 2016 in Kadıköy, Istanbul, that connects Turkish and international youth with European learning, cooperation, and project opportunities, primarily through the Erasmus+ program. Its core operations revolve around designing, submitting, and managing KA1 mobility projects and KA2 cooperation partnerships, with 19 new proposals submitted in 2025 and over 90 international youth projects contributed to historically. The organization serves four primary segments: young people aged 18-30 (especially disadvantaged, NEET, and marginalized groups), youth NGOs and civil society organizations, universities and vocational schools, and corporate companies seeking digital and workforce upskilling.

The organization's technology stack is conventional grant-NGO tooling with no proprietary platform; instead, EIG delivers services through a 'Spotify Model' organizational structure adopted in October 2024, with five thematic tribes (Digital Innovation, Sustainability, Public Health, Peace Security & Conflict Resolution, EU & Politics) and seven specialist chapters. Its productized program portfolio includes Erasmus+ Mobility Programs, the Google.org AI Opportunity Fund AI literacy training (delivered to 450+ participants in 2025 in partnership with OECD and Centre for Public Impact), the You-Cycle circular economy entrepreneurship project (KA2), Digital Wise, Social Buzz, and the ThinkAct Programme for EU policy engagement. The organization relies on content assets like handbooks and YouTube productions, with 02:59 Films as a creative partner.

EIG's revenue model is grant-funded rather than commercial. Primary income comes from Erasmus+ grants (managing over €1M in funds historically), supplemented by modest membership dues (500 TL annual + 5,000 TL entrance fee as of 2026) per the association's charter. It operates free-of-charge to participants and generates no software or licensing revenue. Geographic reach spans 17+ European countries through a partner network that includes Active Youth (Lithuania), YouthProAktiv (Belgium), Czech Youth Association, Young Agents of Change, Espacio Geranios (Spain), EKO (Greece), IRCEM (Romania), Kompetenta Unga (Sweden), and the Georgian Youth Development Association. The organization is led by founder and President Turgut Kaan Akkoca and Cross-Tribe Project Lead Zeynep Buse Akşahin.

Name

European Integration Group (Avrupa Entegrasyon Derneği)

Legal name

Avrupa Entegrasyon Derneği

Website

https://eig.ist

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

European Integration Group is a Kadıköy, Istanbul-based non-profit NGO founded in 2016 that connects Turkish and international youth with European learning, mobility, and entrepreneurship opportunities through Erasmus+ grants, the Google.org AI Opportunity Fund, and a 19-country partner network of 5,000+ community members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Non-Formal Education and Mobility Programs

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Erasmus+ and Government-Sponsored Exchange Partnerships (EDAIABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Study Abroad Provider Networks, Consortia & Membership Organizations (EDAIAAAK), Career & Employability Integration Support (Work Culture, Networking, Job Readiness) (EDAIAKAH)

Keywords

• Youth mobility programs
• Erasmus+ project management
• Non-formal education
• AI literacy training
• Circular economy entrepreneurship

Headquarters

HQ city

Kadıköy, İstanbul

HQ country

Türkiye

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Erasmus+ Program Funding: EIG manages over 1 million euros in funds, primarily from Erasmus+ program grants including KA1 mobility projects and KA2 cooperation partnerships. The organization submitted 19 project proposals in 2025.
2. Membership Fees: Annual membership dues (500 TL per year as of 2026) and entrance fees (5,000 TL as of 2026) from association members.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

European Integration Group is a non-profit NGO that delivers international youth mobility, training, and cooperation programs, primarily under Erasmus+ (KA1/KA2) and in partnership with Google.org, OECD and European youth organizations. Its core deliverables are youth exchanges, vocational and AI literacy training, circular-economy entrepreneurship education, and EU-policy engagement programs for young people aged 18-30 in Turkey and partner European countries.

Product overview

European Integration Group operates as a youth NGO offering a portfolio of programs rather than a unified technology product. The core offerings include Erasmus+ mobility programs connecting Turkish and international youth, alongside thematic projects focused on digital innovation (Google.org AI Upskilling, Digital Wise, Virtual Leap), circular economy entrepreneurship (You-Cycle), and EU policy engagement (ThinkAct). These programs are delivered through a Spotify-model organizational structure with thematic 'tribes' and skill-based 'chapters,' not as a software platform with integrated modules.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Erasmus+ Mobility Programs KA1 and KA2 mobility programs (study abroad, staff training, teaching assignments, volunteer projects) connecting Turkish and European youth, educators and professionals under the Erasmus+ framework.
• Google.org AI Upskilling (AI Literacy Training) AI literacy training covering generative AI, effective prompting, bias and responsible AI use, delivered in partnership with Google.org, the OECD and the Centre for Public Impact to women in industrial roles, university students, and vocational learners.
• You-Cycle (Young Changemakers for Circular Local Economy) Erasmus+ KA2 project empowering disadvantaged youth, including NEET youth, to become agents of change in the transition to a circular economy through social entrepreneurship.
• Digital Wise Key Action 2 project providing economic and digital skills to young people affected by social and digitalisation challenges for work and income acquisition.
• ThinkAct Programme Programme bringing together students from university clubs to engage in debates on the European Union's ongoing crises through the lens of political groups in the European Parliament, producing publications on EU policy topics.
• Digital Innovation Tribe Programs (incl. Virtual Leap, Mindful Media Mastery) Programs focused on AI literacy, digital inclusion, digital participation, media literacy, virtual reality and practical digital skills for young people, youth workers, students and vocational learners, including the Virtual Leap (VR for inclusion) and Mindful Media Mastery initiatives.
• Social Buzz Project providing training to help underprivileged young people (18-30) become social entrepreneurs through mentoring and online tools to generate and implement their ideas.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supported over 1,200 young people from Turkey in accessing international opportunities
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Active Youth (Lithuania)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive Youth is a Lithuanian youth organization that has collaborated with EIG on multiple Erasmus+ projects including DigitalWise, focusing on digital literacy and inclusion for young people.
• YouthProAktivcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBelgian youth organization and partner in the You-Cycle project, working together on circular economy entrepreneurship and social innovation initiatives.
• Czech Youth AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCzech youth organization collaborating with EIG on European integration and youth development projects.
• Young Agents of ChangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in youth empowerment and social change initiatives.
• Google.orgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough the Google.org AI Opportunity Fund, partnered with OECD and Centre for Public Impact to deliver AI literacy training to over 450 participants in Turkey, including women in industrial roles and university students.
• Centre for Public ImpactcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementation partner for the Google.org AI Opportunity Fund program, supporting AI literacy training delivery in Turkey.
• OECDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for the Google.org AI Opportunity Fund, supporting the delivery of AI literacy programs to young people.
• Espacio Geranios (Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish partner in the You-Cycle project, working on circular economy entrepreneurship and youth empowerment across Europe.
• EKO Entrepreneurship and Social Economy Group (Greece)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreek partner in the You-Cycle Erasmus+ project, focusing on social economy and circular economy entrepreneurship.
• IRCEM - Institute for Research in Circular Economy and Environment Ernest Lupan (Romania)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRomanian research institute partner in the You-Cycle project, contributing expertise in circular economy and environmental sustainability.
• Georgian Youth Development AssociationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorgian partner organization working on youth development initiatives with EIG.
• Strategic Partnership InstitutesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in strategic partnership development for youth projects.
• International Validation CentersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing validation services for international youth programs.
• 02:59 FilmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative partner supporting audiovisual content production for youth education and project dissemination.
• Kompetenta Unga (Sweden)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish youth organization partner in European cooperation projects.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• SALTO-YOUTH: SALTO-YOUTH is a European resource centre supporting youth work and Erasmus+ programme quality. Directly comparable to EIG in supporting youth mobility, training, and cross-border cooperation under the Erasmus+ framework, though it operates as an EU-level resource rather than a national delivery NGO.
• AIESEC: AIESEC is the world's largest youth-run international exchange organization, operating youth mobility, leadership, and cross-cultural programs globally. Directly comparable to EIG as a non-profit delivering youth international exchange experiences and similar values-based programming, though AIESEC operates at much larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• Restless Development: Restless Development is an international youth-led development agency running skills, employment, and civic engagement programmes across Africa, Asia, and the UK. Comparable to EIG as a youth-focused non-profit delivering employability, digital skills, and civic engagement programming at scale.
• European Youth Forum: The European Youth Forum is the platform of European youth NGOs representing over 100 organisations. Comparable to EIG as a youth-focused umbrella body working on European integration, policy, and youth mobility, though operating primarily at policy/advocacy level rather than direct programme delivery.

Regional players

• Compass (Informal European Youth Cooperation Body): Compass is an informal European body of NGOs active in the youth field, supporting cooperation, training, and policy in European youth work. Comparable to EIG as a European youth NGO network with overlapping priorities on mobility, inclusion, and Erasmus+ thematic priorities.

Direct peers

• Erasmus Student Network (ESN): ESN is the largest student association in Europe, supporting and representing international students including Erasmus+ participants. Directly comparable to EIG as a youth-focused non-profit that supports international student mobility, cultural exchange, and integration across Europe, with a more established EU-wide presence.
• Czech Youth Association: Czech Youth Association is a national youth organisation collaborating with EIG on European integration projects. Directly comparable as a European youth NGO participating in Erasmus+ partnerships and cross-border youth programming.
• YouthProAktiv: YouthProAktiv is a Belgian youth organisation that partnered with EIG on the You-Cycle circular-economy project. Directly comparable as a European youth NGO delivering Erasmus+ cooperation projects on social entrepreneurship and circular economy, and an active EIG consortium partner.
• Active Youth (Lithuania): Active Youth is a Lithuanian youth organisation that has co-delivered Erasmus+ projects with EIG (DigitalWise). Directly comparable as a national youth NGO delivering digital inclusion, mobility, and Erasmus+ programming, and an established EIG partnership counterpart.

Emerging players

• YouthActionNet: YouthActionNet supports young social entrepreneurs and changemakers globally through fellowships and training. Comparable to EIG in its focus on social entrepreneurship (You-Cycle) and youth capacity building, though operating more as a fellowship platform than direct mobility delivery.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/eig_ist
• Facebookfacebook.com/europeanintegrationgroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/european-integration-group
• Instagraminstagram.com/eig.ist

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about European Integration Group (Avrupa Entegrasyon Derneği)