Positioning itself as an exemplary corporate citizen, Ziraat Bank is committed to executing social responsibility projects that reflect its prestigious corporate identity. In 2015, the Bank carried out the following projects and activities:

Ziraat Bank's Support to Sports

Making immense contributions to the advancement of sports in Turkey, Ziraat Bank has made Turkish sports history as the Turkish Cup name sponsor for seven consecutive seasons. In addition, the Bank has continued to sponsor its sports club, which has represented the Ziraat brand with great success in the Turkish Men's Volleyball Primary League since the 2007-2008 season.

"Ten National Athletes in Ten Provinces" Project

A leading force in Turkish volleyball, Ziraat Bank Sports Club strives to introduce volleyball to the wider masses and contribute to children's happiness and well-being. For this purpose, the Club opened free-of-charge sports schools in 10 provinces (Kahramanmaraş, Bartın, Eskişehir, Konya, Mersin, Adana, Kocaeli, Tekirdağ, Diyarbakır, Hatay) and reached out to some 400 youth. In the second phase of the initiative, the Club raised the bar higher, aiming to train athletes worthy of wearing the national jersey. As a result, four young athletes joined the national teams thanks to the project "Ten National Athletes in Ten Provinces."

The First Banking Museum in Turkey

Turkey's first museum on banking - Ziraat Bank Banking Museum - occupies the ceremonial hall of the Bank's original head office building in the Ulus district of Ankara. The museum opened its doors to the public on November 20, 1981 and sheds light on the Bank's rich 152-year history, which includes all phases of the Turkish Republic.

The Ziraat Bank Banking Museum provides an impressive look at the commercial, economic, political, cultural, artistic and educational progress and development of banking in Turkey. The institution also displays examples of objects used in the Turkish banking industry within its historical atmosphere.

Ziraat's Culture & Arts Program: "For Art, Through Art"

Since its founding and guided by the slogan "For Art, Through Art," Ziraat Bank has demonstrated its support for the arts and artists. In 2015, the Bank sponsored a number of arts organizations. The Bank provides venues for artists and art lovers, such as Kuğulu, Tünel, and Kızıltan Ulukavak art galleries and the Ömer Nafi Güvenli Exhibition Hall. The 21 exhibitions that were held by the Bank drew more than 25 thousand visitors.

The Bank has expanded its support for culture and the arts to the realm of theater. In collaboration with the General Directorate of State Theaters, the Ziraat Bank Mithat Paşa Culture Center has entered the service of the catergoers under the name "State Theaters - Ziraat Stage."

An Art Collection that Bolsters Ziraat's Brand Recognition

Since its founding, Ziraat Bank has stood by the arts and owns one of the most prominent painting and sculpture collections in the country. A pioneer of corporate art collections in Turkey, the Bank regularly showcases the pieces in its extensive collection using both the collection catalogue and comprehensive exhibitions which abide by artistic criteria, methods and systems. The Bank also provides key documentation on the meaning and results of sophisticated and sound art collections. The Ziraat Bank art collection consists of nearly 2,500 works, the majority of which are oil paintings but which also include water colors, gouaches, pastels, prints, ceramics, and sculptures. The collection continues to be enriched through acquisitions from among works exhibited by artists at Ziraat Bank's galleries. An initiative is currently under way to restore a bank-owned 19th-century building in İstanbul's Cağaloğlu district, set to serve as the Ziraat Bank Museum of Painting and Sculpture. The Bank plans to use this venue to make the works in its collection accessible to art lovers.

Ziraat Bank Protects Its Architectural Heritage

Ziraat Bank is the owner of key buildings - located in Ankara, İstanbul and many other cities - that are important in the history of Turkish architecture. The Bank regards and protects these structures as valuable assets of the country's cultural heritage. Fifty-two of the buildings belonging to the Bank are listed monuments that were erected after 1910 and are still in active use today. Ziraat Bank plays a part in protecting Turkey's cultural heritage by carrying out maintenance and repair work that is faithful to the structures' original architectural spirit. In order to make more efficient use of Ziraat Bank's original headquarters building, also a symbol of the Bank itself, and to turn the entire edifice into museum, architectural restitution and restoration efforts will be completed in 2016.

Support for Scientific Publications

Under the "Yunus Emre Institute's 100 Turkish Libraries" project, launched in 2012, Ziraat Bank continued making an important contribution to scholarly research by supporting the establishment of 100 Turkish libraries in different countries around the world. The Bank also contributes to the Z library project, which the Ministry of Education plans to extend to all of Turkey's provinces. In addition, the Bank sponsored the film "The Last Letter" on the Gallipoli War, and Yunus Emre Institute's project titled "Voice of 1,000 Years: Turkish Language Festival," introducing the Turkish language and culture to the world.

"Kids on Vacation/Schools under Repair"

Under the "Kids on Vacation/Schools under Repair" project, schools located in development priority regions undergo repairs and refurbishment. Ziraat Bank is committed to continuing this project in the coming period, owing to its belief that children represent Turkey's future.

"Traveler: Footsteps of the Plane Tree"

Launched in 2012 with Ziraat Bank support, the "Traveler: Footsteps of the Plane Tree" initiative contributes to the personal and social development of economically deprived children and youth by taking them on trips to interesting places around the country. This project continued to help disadvantaged young people in 2015.

Participation in Conferences and Events

In keeping with its exemplary approach to sustainability, the Bank once again participated in and provided support to many different arts & culture festivals and other events in 2015. During the year, the Bank contributed to World Food Day, World Environment Days, the annual "Golden Pen Awards" ceremony organized by business journalists, the 505 Women Entrepreneurs Project, and numerous local festivals.