Çimko, the cement and concrete company of Sanko Holding, is launching a three-year social impact initiative to strengthen the digital skills of children in Southeastern Anatolia, Türkiye, through its support for UNICEF’s MakerUp Program. Representing a strategic investment in the region’s future, the program aims to enhance the ability of children aged 7–14 to create with technology, think critically, and solve problems, enabling them to access the opportunities of the digital age on more equal terms.
The MakerUp Program supports children in becoming producers of technology rather than mere consumers by offering training in robotics applications, coding exercises, 3D modeling, and IoT. Through the program, children gain competencies such as logical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and project development, equipping them with the skills required by the digital world.
Emphasizing that the program is a long-term social investment, Çimko CEO Dr. Önder Kırca stated: “The MakerUp Program supports not only children’s introduction to technology, but also their ability to think, create, and confidently chart their own paths. Through this collaboration with UNICEF—leveraging its field expertise and extensive implementation capacity—we are not merely teaching technology; we are also fostering children’s imagination, creativity, and self-confidence. Our goal is to ensure that children in Southeastern Anatolia can participate in the digital world with equal opportunities. We believe that the sense of curiosity and productivity children develop today will transform into innovative solutions tomorrow. With the MakerUp Program, which we plan to run for three years, we aim to reach 5,000 children each year.”
UNICEF Türkiye Representative Paolo Marchi remarked: “Partnerships with the private sector are among the most fundamental elements of building a brighter future for children. Our collaboration with Çimko demonstrates that by bringing together our knowledge, strengths, and resources, we can create lasting and meaningful impact for children and the communities they live in. This partnership will make a significant contribution to strengthening children’s access to the skills and opportunities they will need in later stages of their lives.”
Aziz Ekşi, Chairman of the Board of the Türkiye Development Foundation, stated: “Maker classrooms aim not only to introduce children to technology, but also to encourage them to experiment, create, and develop their own solutions in a safe environment. Such structured spaces serve both learning and protection functions for children. We believe that every child, regardless of where they live, has the right to access safe learning environments and opportunities that can shape their future.”
As part of the collaboration, fully equipped Maker classrooms have been established at the Gaziantep Youth Center and the Adıyaman Dr. Şerif Ayaz Culture and Education Center. The infrastructure—comprising computers, coding kits, sensors, motor sets, LEGO educational materials, and 3D printers—provides children with a systematic and secure learning environment. These classrooms also represent a permanent investment that strengthens the region’s long-term educational capacity. Beyond city centers, the program reaches rural areas through a Mobile Maker Vehicle, serving Gaziantep as well as Adıyaman, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, and Mardin. This model aims to reduce barriers to digital development by promoting equal access to technology for children with limited opportunities.
