In a move aligned with their long-standing commitment to global social responsibility and innovation, Karadeniz Holding announced the inauguration of the One World Karadeniz Foundation on April 22, 2024. Echoing the ethos of the Istanbul-based energy giant’s ‘One World’ philosophy, the foundation is poised to significantly amplify the company’s efforts towards fostering a more sustainable and egalitarian global society.

Located at the intersection of energy and humanitarian outreach, Karadeniz Holding has launched this new philanthropic venture with a focused vision on education and social welfare, humanitarian relief, and environmental sustainability. These objectives dovetail neatly with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, underscoring the holistic approach the foundation intends to take.

Deputy Chair of the foundation, Zeynep Harezi Yılmaz, emphasized the foundation’s commitment to tailored, locally relevant projects that range from enhancing the capabilities of fishermen in Brazil to advancing educational and vocational opportunities for women and girls across Africa. Karadeniz Holding’s track record of empowering young women, through initiatives like substantial educational scholarships and vocational training—a commitment evidenced by over 2.5 million USD invested—is set to expand under the auspices of the new foundation.

A particularly innovative aspect of Karadeniz Holding’s humanitarian efforts includes the deployment of Lifeships. These floating infrastructures are designed to provide immediate relief and long-term support in disaster zones. For instance, following the devastating earthquakes in southern Turkey in February 2023, Lifeships were deployed to assist over 12,000 affected individuals in Hatay, offering not only immediate necessities such as food, board, and healthcare but also functioning as educational facilities for local students.

The launch event, coinciding with Earth Day, highlighted Karadeniz Holding’s dual focus on immediate disaster response and ongoing, sustainable community support. The foundation’s work is an extension of the vision of Rauf Osman Karadeniz, who established the company in 1948 with a philosophy centered on harmony, peace, and high ethical standards.

Moreover, the establishment of the One World Karadeniz Foundation signifies a strategic expansion in Karadeniz Holding’s philanthropic footprint, leveraging its expertise and resources in the energy sector to address wider social and environmental issues. The company’s engagement ranges from operating the largest fleet of floating power plants globally, known as Powerships, to investing in renewable energy resources like geothermal and solar power plants.

Karadeniz Holding’s introduction of the One World Karadeniz Foundation exemplifies a growing trend among private sector companies adopting an increased role in global philanthropic and developmental endeavors, aiming to achieve a broad impact well beyond the corporate bottom line. Further details on the foundation’s specific projects and initiatives are anticipated in the weeks following the launch, providing deeper insights into how the foundation will operationalize its ambitious goals. Such ventures underscore a corporate acknowledgment of the interconnectedness of environmental sustainability, social equity, and economic viability in building a resilient future.