Study of a foundation education model: 21st century learning skills informal education cases

Our world has reached a point where rapid change is occurring. These rapid changes have led to variability in needs. Education, on the other hand, stands as the keystone within all these changes. Especially, the place of informal education in our era has begun to increase compared to formal education. Particularly, the education provided by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and foundations comes to the forefront in this context. This study examines the 21st-century learning skills in the education and activities provided by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and foundations. There are issues of outdated methods and excellence problems in the educational processes of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and foundation institutions. The extent to which competencies such as innovation and creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and communication, and problem-solving are included in the informal education and curricula of such institutions remains a question mark. In this context, this study will examine a foundation institution using the case study method. For this purpose, semi-structured interviews were conducted with trainers and managers who play an active role in the educational processes of the examined foundation, as well as with the students receiving these educations. The findings highlight themes such as the outdated nature of the curriculum, trainer training and meetings to improve educational processes, updating of resource documents, and improvement of the physical condition of facilities. As a result, it is important to support and equip contemporary competencies and skills at every stage of education and activities in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and foundations, in terms of the significance and quality of the era. Through this study, it is aimed to contribute to the points that are lacking in the educational efforts of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and foundations.