İLKE Foundation

What İLKE Foundation does

İLKE Foundation (İLİM KÜLTÜR EĞİTİM VAKFI) is a Turkish non-profit policy research foundation registered with the T.C Vakıflar Genel Müdürlüğü (Directorate General of Foundations) under registration number 6552 and holding tax exemption status. Headquartered in Üsküdar, Istanbul with 50+ employees, the foundation operates through four specialized research centers: İKAM (Islamic Economics), EPAM (Education Policy), TODAM (Social Thought and Research), and STA (Civil Society Academy). Each center produces annual monitoring reports, thematic research papers, policy notes, and policy recommendations spanning demographics, education, economy, law, health, migration, and civil society in Turkey. The foundation's flagship output is the 'Toplumun Görünümü' (Society's Outlook) report series, covering 81 provinces across 11 social domains since 2021.

The foundation distributes all publications free of charge through its website (ilke.org.tr) and operates an event-driven go-to-market model anchored on recurring flagship conferences — the annual Istanbul Education Conference (now in its 5th edition), the Islamic Economics and Finance Summit (now in its 13th edition), and the periodic Civil Society Summit. It also runs free training programs including KGEP (Kurumsal Gelişim Eğitim Programı) for civil society capacity building, operating annually since 2016, and İKAM İhtisas Eğitimleri specialized courses on Islamic finance topics. Distribution channels include a bilingual website, monthly e-newsletter, YouTube channel with program recordings, and social media.

Revenue is not publicly disclosed and is generated through charitable donations, grants, and institutional sponsorships consistent with Turkish vakıf funding structures. Notable partners include Vakıf Katılım (participation bank) as main sponsor of the Islamic Economics Summit, Boğaziçi University as venue partner, İGİAD as industry contributor, Yeşilay (Green Crescent) under a public health cooperation protocol signed in September 2025, and UDEF for the international students research report launched in January 2026. The foundation targets four primary segments: government and policymakers, the academic and research community, civil society organizations, and the general public/media. The foundation is non-profit and does not operate traditional sales channels or commercial distribution.

Name

İLKE Foundation

Legal name

İLKE İLİM KÜLTÜR EĞİTİM VAKFI

Website

https://ilke.org.tr

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

İLKE Foundation is a Turkish non-profit policy research think tank operating four research centers (Islamic economics, education policy, social research, civil society) that produces free annual monitoring reports, policy papers, and training programs for government, academia, and civil society in Türkiye.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research / Think Tank Services

NAICS

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Policy Research Institutes & Think Tanks (EDADADAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)

Keywords

• Policy research
• Education monitoring
• Civil society training
• Islamic economics research
• Social research reports

Headquarters

HQ city

İstanbul

HQ country

Türkiye

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Foundation/Grant Funding: İLKE Foundation operates as a non-profit foundation (vakıf) generating revenue through charitable donations, grants, and potentially government support. The foundation is registered with the Directorate General of Foundations (Vakıflar Genel Müdürlüğü) under Istanbul 2nd Regional Directorate with registration number 6552.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

İLKE Foundation is a Turkish non-profit think tank that produces knowledge, policy, and strategy in areas needed by Turkey. It operates four specialized research centers (İKAM for Islamic economics, EPAM for education policy, TODAM for social research, and STA for civil society) that publish annual monitoring reports, thematic research reports, policy notes, and policy recommendations. The foundation also delivers free capacity-building training programs (KGEP, İKAM Specialized Training, Digital Skills Workshops) and organizes major conferences including the Istanbul Education Conference and the Islamic Economics and Finance Summit.

Product overview

İLKE Foundation operates as a multi-disciplinary research and knowledge-production organization structured around four research centers (İKAM, EPAM, TODAM, STA) and multiple publication and event series. The core offering consists of research publications—including annual monitoring reports (Alan İzleme Raporları), thematic research reports, policy notes, and policy recommendations—produced through the four centers. Complementing publications, the foundation delivers capacity-building education programs such as KGEP (Kurumsal Gelişim Eğitim Programı) and İKAM İhtisas Eğitimleri, and organizes high-profile conferences including the İstanbul Eğitim Konferansı, İslam İktisadı ve Finansı Zirvesi, and Sivil Toplum Zirvesi. The four research centers serve as the primary product pillars: İKAM focuses on Islamic economics and finance; EPAM on education policy research and monitoring; TODAM on social research and the annual Toplumun Görünümü report series; and STA on civil society capacity building. The foundation also offers a Digital Skills Workshop under STA and publishes its institutional reports. Together, these form an integrated ecosystem of research, publishing, education, and convening services aimed at informing policy and strengthening civil society in Turkey.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• İKAM (İslam İktisadı Araştırma Merkezi): Islamic Economics Research Center focusing on Islamic economics and finance studies
• EPAM (Eğitim Politikaları Araştırma Merkezi)
• TODAM (Toplumsal Düşünce ve Araştırmalar Merkezi)
• STA (Sivil Toplum Akademisi)

Products and services

• İslam İktisadı Araştırma Merkezi (İKAM) Research center dedicated to Islamic economics and finance studies, producing scholarly research, organizing the annual Islamic Economics and Finance Summit, and offering specialized training programs to develop qualified human resources in Islamic economic thought, participation banking, Islamic capital markets, green finance, and takaful insurance. Targeted at researchers, academics, and public/private sector professionals.
• Eğitim Politikaları Araştırma Merkezi (EPAM) Research center focused on education policy in Turkey, publishing annual Education Monitoring Reports, conducting seminars and policy workshops, and organizing the Istanbul Education Conference to analyze Turkey's educational landscape and inform policy reform. Targeted at educators, policymakers, and researchers.
• Toplumsal Düşünce ve Araştırmalar Merkezi (TODAM) Research center that conducts social research using data sets and analytical models, producing the annual 'Toplumun Görünümü' (Society's Outlook) report series and field monitoring reports covering demographics, economics, law, migration, health, and culture across Turkey's 81 provinces. Targeted at government policymakers, academics, and the general public.
• Sivil Toplum Akademisi (STA) Research center dedicated to civil society issues, offering the Kurumsal Gelişim Eğitim Programı (KGEP), digital skills workshops, project writing training, and organizing the Civil Society Summit to strengthen institutional capacity of NGOs. Targeted at Turkish and international civil society organizations.
• Toplumun Görünümü (Society's Outlook) Report Series Annual comprehensive monitoring report series covering Turkey's social landscape across 11 domains including population, family, health, education, economy, labor, welfare, migration, law, and culture, with data coverage across 81 provinces. Targeted at government policymakers, academics, and civil society stakeholders.
• Alan İzleme Raporları (Field Monitoring Reports) Annual monitoring reports including Education Monitoring Report, Economics Monitoring Report, and Law Monitoring Report that track Turkey's progress and challenges in key policy areas using statistical data. Targeted at policymakers, researchers, and analysts.
• Kurumsal Gelişim Eğitim Programı (KGEP) Institutional capacity-building training program for civil society organizations covering human resource management, organizational governance, digital communication, resource development, legal processes, and project cycle management. Offered free of charge to NGO staff and leaders.
• İstanbul Eğitim Konferansı (Istanbul Education Conference) Annual international education conference organized by EPAM bringing together educators, policymakers, and researchers to discuss themes such as teacher training, 21st-century skills, and digital transformation in education. Targeted at education professionals, policymakers, and academics.
• İslam İktisadı ve Finansı Zirvesi (Islamic Economics and Finance Summit) Annual summit organized by İKAM bringing together researchers, academics, and public and private sector professionals to discuss Islamic economics and participation finance topics, including the Islamic Economics Awards. Targeted at Islamic finance professionals, academics, and policy stakeholders.
• İKAM İhtisas Eğitimleri (İKAM Specialized Training) Semester-based training courses on Islamic economics and finance topics including participation banking, Islamic capital markets, green finance, and takaful insurance, offered free of charge to graduate students and professionals.
• Dijital Beceriler Atölyesi (Digital Skills Workshop) Capacity-building workshop under the 'Kapasite Geliştirme Eğitimleri' (Capacity Development Training) umbrella, covering topics from strategic planning to AI awareness, with published impact report. Targeted at civil society organization staff.
• Sivil Toplum Zirvesi (Civil Society Summit) Periodic summit organized by STA addressing civil society topics including human resource management in NGOs, with published outcome reports and Civil Society Awards. Targeted at NGO leaders and civil society stakeholders.

Quantifiable outcome

• Produced comprehensive annual 'Toplumun Görünümü' reports since 2021 covering 81 provinces of Turkey with data on demographics, economy, education, law, and social indicators
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UDEF (Uluslararası Öğrenci Dernekleri Federasyonu)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 January 2026İLKE Foundation collaborated with UDEF (International Student Associations Federation) to produce the 'Türkiye'de Uluslararası Öğrencilerin Eğitim ve Yaşam Deneyimleri' (Education and Life Experiences of International Students in Turkey) research report, jointly launching it at FSM Vakıf University.
• Vakıf KatılımcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2025Vakıf Katılım served as the main sponsor (ana sponsor) of the 13th Islamic Economics and Finance Summit organized by İKAM. Vakıf Katılım is a participation bank supporting the foundation's Islamic economics research and events.
• İGİAD (Türkiye İktisadi Girişim ve İş Ahlakı Derneği)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 October 2025İGİAD (Turkish Economic Enterprises and Business Ethics Association) partnered as a contributor to the 13th Islamic Economics and Finance Summit, supporting the bridge between academia and industry in Islamic economics.
• Boğaziçi ÜniversitesicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2025Boğaziçi University served as the venue partner and contributor for the 13th Islamic Economics and Finance Summit, hosting the event at its campus and providing academic support.
• Anadolu Ajansı (AA)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 October 2025Anadolu Agency (AA), Turkey's official news agency, provided media support for the 13th Islamic Economics and Finance Summit as a contributing partner.
• Yeşilay (Green Crescent)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2025İLKE Foundation signed a cooperation protocol (İş Birliği Protokolü) with Yeşilay, Turkey's prominent organization fighting addiction. The partnership aims to collaborate on public health awareness and education initiatives.
• Türkiye Maarif VakfıminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMentioned in context of international student research collaboration and educational initiatives. Turkey Maarif Foundation operates in international education spaces where potential collaboration exists.
• Nokta Yayın GrubuminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNokta Publishing Group is İLKE Foundation's publishing house for books and academic publications. Listed under publications section of the website.
• Parlamenterler Arası Kudüs ve Filistin PlatformuminorOthersParliamentary Jerusalem and Palestine Platform visited İLKE Foundation, indicating ongoing dialogue and collaboration on regional geopolitical issues.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Chatham House: International affairs think tank producing independent research, policy papers, and convening stakeholders—comparable business model of multiple research programs publishing reports and hosting conferences, though focused on international affairs.
• Brookings Institution: Global policy think tank with multiple research centers producing reports, policy briefs, and convening events—directly comparable to İLKE's multi-center, multi-publication, event-driven research model, though at vastly larger scale.

Direct peers

• TEPAV (Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey): Turkish policy research foundation producing economic and social policy analysis, monitoring reports, and convening policymakers—comparable in research-center structure, publication cadence, and policy advisory function.
• SETA Foundation: One of Turkey's largest policy think tanks; produces policy reports, organizes conferences, and engages government across social, economic, and foreign-policy topics—closely comparable to İLKE's structure of multiple research centers producing monitoring reports and convening stakeholders.
• Center for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM): Istanbul-based independent think tank conducting policy research on Turkish economy, foreign policy, and governance with publications and convening events—closely comparable as a Turkish policy research and advisory foundation.
• TESEV (Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation): Independent Turkish think tank producing policy research, reports, and convening on governance, economy, and social policy—directly comparable to İLKE's think-tank model focused on evidence-based policy research and stakeholder engagement.

Emerging players

• KONDA Research and Consulting: Turkish social-research firm producing survey-based reports on Turkish society, demographics, and political attitudes—overlaps with İLKE's TODAM social-monitoring mandate, though Konda is more survey-driven than İLKE's qualitative policy research.
• International Center for Islamic Economics (UKM-CIE): Academic research center focused on Islamic economics and finance studies—directly comparable to İLKE's İKAM center in its niche of Islamic economics research, training, and convening, though based in Malaysia.

Regional players

• Worldbenchmark Foundation: Independent foundation producing research, indices, and policy reports engaging stakeholders across multiple domains—comparable as a non-profit research foundation producing monitoring-style publications and convening networks, though focused on corporate sustainability benchmarking.
• Centre for Strategic Research (SAM) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Turkish government-affiliated think tank producing policy reports and analysis on international affairs and Turkish foreign policy—comparable as a domestic policy research and convening organization, though state-affiliated versus İLKE's independent foundation status.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ilke_vakfi
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ilke-vakfi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ilkevakfi

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about İLKE Foundation