T3 Foundation wins European Bright Spark award for youth tech model

Türkiye's T3 Foundation has received the “Bright Spark” award from ECSITE, Europe's largest science communication network, during the organization's 2026 conference held in Gothenburg, Sweden. Elvan Kuzucu Hidir, chairperson of the foundation, said the honor served as a significant indicator of international recognition for the T3 ecosystem and its approach to youth engagement.

The award was presented at the Mariano Gago Awards ceremony between June 2 and 4, demonstrating that Türkiye's model for guiding young people toward science and technology production resonated across the continent. The foundation announced the recognition on Monday, noting that the accolade highlighted the success of its scalable youth technology programs.

International gathering

ECSITE brings together over 400 science centers, museums, research organizations, and science communication institutions from more than 50 countries, according to the network. The 2026 conference, hosted by Universeum in Gothenburg, gathered approximately 900 science communication professionals, museum managers, educators, and industry representatives for the annual meeting.

T3 Foundation organizes TEKNOFEST — the world's largest aviation, space, and technology festival — which serves as the organization's flagship platform for involving millions of young people in practical innovation and entrepreneurship. The foundation's ecosystem has engaged youth directly in technology production processes, creating a model that the “Bright Spark” award specifically recognized for its impact and scalability.