History of the Asylum Seekers and Refugees Solidarity Association (ARSA)

The Asylum Seekers and Refugees Solidarity Association (ARSA) is a refugee-led, rights-based civil society organization dedicated to the protection, empowerment, and inclusion of asylum seekers, refugees, migrants, and other vulnerable populations in Türkiye. ARSA is headquartered in Kayseri Province, a centrally located region of the country, which strategically serves as the administrative and coordination hub for ARSA’s nationwide network of refugee community leaders, volunteers, and partner organizations.

Origins and Early Development (2009–2014)

ARSA’s roots date back to 2009, when a group of committed refugee volunteers began working together informally to support newly arrived asylum seekers—particularly Afghan refugees—by providing guidance, translation, referrals, and community-based assistance. During this early period, ARSA functioned as a Coordinator of Refugee Support, relying entirely on volunteer refugees who understood the challenges of displacement through lived experience. This grassroots initiative played a critical role in filling gaps in access to information, protection services, and social support at the local level.

Recognizing the growing needs of refugee communities and the importance of institutionalized, sustainable action, ARSA was formally established in 2014 as an independent, non-profit association. Its founders included journalists, medical doctors, academics, architects, and humanitarian practitioners—many of whom had direct experience working with displaced populations. From its inception as a registered organization, ARSA adopted a strong human rights–based and community-centered approach, emphasizing dignity, participation, accountability, and social cohesion.

Growth, Partnerships, and Community Trust

Following its formal establishment, ARSA rapidly expanded both the scope and scale of its activities. The organization developed close working relationships with local authorities, governance structures, and international organizations, earning a reputation as a reliable and trusted partner in refugee response.

Over the years, ARSA has implemented projects and initiatives in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders, including:

UNHCR Branch Office in Ankara, Airbnb.org. Turkish Philanthropy Foundation, UNFPA, Terredes Hommes, European funds (Sivil Düşün Europ Program), Switzerland Embassy in Ankara, Danish Refugees Council (DRC), GIZ, BMZ, ECHO, CBOs including, Journalists for Human Rights JHR, Rights to Learn Afghanistan, States Department, American Council, IVLP, AAR Japan, Japan Platform, Türkish Refugees Council, Washington University, Support to Life, International Blue Crecent (IBC), Refugees Rights Center, İGAM, Türkiye Refugees Council, and …

These collaborations enabled ARSA to design and deliver interventions that address the needs of both refugee and host communities, with a strong emphasis on building mutual trust, peaceful coexistence, and shared social responsibility.

Social Cohesion and Rights-Based Programming

ARSA’s programs have consistently focused on strengthening social cohesion and protecting the rights of vulnerable groups. Through a wide range of socio-cultural, educational, and psychosocial activities, ARSA has created inclusive spaces where refugees and members of host communities can interact, learn from one another, and build solidarity.

Key areas of activity have included:

  • Psychosocial support and community-based group activities

  • Skills development and vocational training, with a particular focus on women

  • Arts, culture, and calligraphy festivals

  • Sports initiatives such as football tournaments

  • Craft fairs and community exhibitions

  • First aid and life-skills training

  • Individual counseling, protection support, and referrals to specialized services

Through these interventions, ARSA has supported not only immediate needs but also long-term integration, resilience, and community harmony.

National and International Engagement

ARSA has actively contributed to national and international dialogue on refugee protection, migration, and human rights. The organization has participated in numerous conferences, forums, and expert meetings, sharing field-based evidence and community perspectives.

ARSA currently operates across more than 45 provinces in Türkiye, supported by a nationwide network of approximately 160 volunteers. In parallel, ARSA works closely with an organized network of Afghan refugee community leaders across different provinces. This structure provides a unique advantage for amplifying refugee voices, strengthening representation, and replicating good practices in refugee leadership and community governance.

Role in Civil Society Coordination and Advocacy

Firmly committed to cooperation and collective impact, ARSA has played a key role in strengthening civil society coordination in the field of migration. ARSA is a founding member of the Refugee Council of Turkey (Türkiye Mülteci Konseyi – TMK), an umbrella platform established by 26 civil society organizations working on refugee and migrant rights.

ARSA was elected as a Member of the Board of the Refugee Council of Turkey and later assumed the role of Vice President, reflecting the organization’s credibility, leadership, and active contribution to national advocacy and coordination efforts.

International Recognition and High-Level Engagement

ARSA’s work has received growing attention at the international level. On July 12, 2017, the EU Delegation to Türkiye, led by Mr. Christian Berger, Head of the EU Delegation, visited Kayseri and held a direct meeting with the ARSA team. The visit aimed to closely observe ARSA’s community-level work and to review the findings of the 2016 report “Living Conditions of Afghan Asylum Seekers and Reasons for Escape to Europe,” prepared with the support of activists from the Sivil Düşün European Union Program.

In 2019, ARSA collaborated with IGAM and Oxfam to organize the MENA Refugee Summit in Istanbul. The summit brought together refugee leaders from across the Middle East and North Africa region, creating a rare platform for refugee-led dialogue and regional cooperation. The outcomes of this summit were later presented at the Global Refugee Forum convened by UNHCR in Geneva, where ARSA was selected as one of only two organizations representing the MENA region.

Leadership and Global Recognition

ARSA’s impact is closely linked to its principled and visionary leadership. The organization’s Founder and Board Member, Dr. Zakira Hekmat, is internationally recognized for her tireless advocacy for the rights of refugees, women, and girls in Türkiye, Afghanistan, and beyond.

Dr. Hekmat has received numerous prestigious awards in recognition of her work, including:

  • HasNa Organization’s Peacebuilders of the Year (2020), awarded by the Washington-based HasNa Organization for contributions to peace and economic development;

  • Angela Burdett-Coutts Award for Migration (2021), the first award granted in this field under this name;

  • Shining World Mercy Award (2021), presented by Supreme Master Ching Hai (Taiwan);

  • Women of 2022 Award, granted by the SES Equality and Solidarity Association;

  • International Women of Courage Award (IWOC 2023), presented by the United States Department of State at the White House.

A Continuing Commitment

From its beginnings as a volunteer-led refugee initiative to its current role as a nationally and internationally respected human rights organization, ARSA’s history reflects a sustained commitment to human dignity, solidarity, and justice. Grounded in community leadership and strengthened through partnerships, ARSA continues to stand alongside asylum seekers, refugees, migrants, and vulnerable individuals—advocating for their rights and working toward a more inclusive and humane future.