Fundación MAPFRE joins Tohum Autism Foundation to strengthen special education and support inclusive learning across Turkey.
Fundación MAPFRE has joined forces with the Tohum Autism Foundation to bring new opportunities to children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through the transformative project known as “A Seed in Every Classroom.” With the recent opening of a fully redeveloped classroom at Istanbul Adnan Menderes Middle School, the partnership aims to modernize special education spaces, providing both advanced teaching technology and inclusive learning environments that foster growth.
Three classrooms will be fully renovated by the end of 2025 — one each in Istanbul, Aydın, and Hatay. Each classroom will be equipped with tools designed to engage students on both educational and emotional levels, symbolizing Fundación MAPFRE’s long-standing mission of improving quality of life and enhancing social well-being.
Erdinç Yurtseven, General Manager of MAPFRE Sigorta, noted that Fundación MAPFRE, founded by the global MAPFRE Group, has spent over fifty years as a driving force for positive social transformation. The foundation operates in more than 30 countries, reaching approximately 179 million people through sustainable projects in areas such as education, health, and safety. Having invested over €1.14 billion globally, Fundación MAPFRE continues to pursue initiatives that bring tangible benefits to communities.
“As MAPFRE Sigorta, we take great pride in pursuing the mission of Fundación MAPFRE within Turkey,” Yurtseven explained. “In this meaningful year marking the foundation’s 50th anniversary, we are honored to collaborate with the Tohum Autism Foundation to help children unlock their true potential. Our ongoing aim is to build an inclusive future through consistent support for education and innovation.”
Burçak Karakaya, General Manager of the Tohum Autism Foundation, expressed that the inclusion of children with autism in shared educational settings plays a vital role in their development and social integration. She emphasized that the ongoing project has successfully touched hundreds of classrooms and reached thousands of children nationwide. “Thanks to the support of Fundación MAPFRE and many other contributors, we are proud to broaden access to quality education for children with autism,” Karakaya added.
Since 2009, the “Every Classroom a Seed” project has been revitalizing special education environments in collaboration with Turkey’s Ministry of National Education. Classrooms are fitted with customized teaching resources created to meet students’ diverse learning needs. Additionally, continuous training initiatives are offered for teachers, administrators, and families to ensure the effective adaptation of new learning strategies.
To date, 217 special education classrooms across 43 provinces have benefited from the program. The foundation’s teacher network provides continuous guidance and resource-sharing opportunities, enabling educators to sustain development beyond the initial renovation period. In the aftermath of the devastating February 6 earthquakes, the project extended its reach to restore 38 classrooms in regions such as Adana, Adıyaman, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, and Malatya, strengthening their capacity to deliver quality education once again.
Fundación MAPFRE and the Tohum Autism Foundation remain committed to nurturing inclusive learning spaces, ensuring that every child with autism can thrive in an environment enriched with understanding, innovation, and compassion.
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