Terms & Conditions

Please read. IISLP is a free, volunteer-run, non-commercial educational and social initiative. It is not a company, corporation, employer, or legal entity, and is organized by individual volunteers. Applying or participating does not create any employment, commercial, or contractual relationship. Nothing on this site constitutes legal, professional, or commercial advice.

Please read. IISLP is a free, volunteer-run, non-commercial educational and social initiative. It is not a company, corporation, employer, or legal entity, and is organized by individual volunteers. Applying or participating does not create any employment, commercial, or contractual relationship. Nothing on this site constitutes legal, professional, or commercial advice.

1. Nature of the program

The Istanbul International Innovation & Social Leadership Program ("IISLP" or "the program") is a voluntary, non-commercial educational and social initiative. It is not a company, corporation, legal entity, employer, or commercial service provider. The program is organized by individual volunteers and coordinators ("the program team"). No employment, internship, partnership, agency, or commercial relationship is created between applicants, participants, and the program or its team.

2. No fees, no refunds, no commercial exchange

Applying to and participating in the program is free of charge. No fees are charged to applicants or participants. Because no payment is collected, no refunds are applicable. The program does not sell products, services, or memberships. Travel support is offered as described in section 11 below. Any third-party costs not expressly covered by the program (such as visa fees, insurance, and personal expenses) remain the responsibility of the participant.

3. Eligibility — strictly enforced

The program is open exclusively to women aged 13–27 (both inclusive) at the time of application. Applicants must confirm their gender and date of birth during the application process. Applications from individuals who do not meet these criteria will be rejected. Providing false information about gender or age to bypass eligibility checks is a material breach and may result in immediate disqualification and removal.

4. Application procedure

Applications are submitted through the official program portal. Applying is free. Applicants must provide accurate, truthful, and complete information. Incomplete or misleading applications may be rejected without explanation.

5. Selective admissions

Acceptance is selective. Applying does not guarantee acceptance. Passing Phase 1 does not guarantee final acceptance. The program reserves the right to accept or reject any application for any lawful reason, and is not obligated to provide reasons for rejection.

6. Accuracy of applicant information

Applicants are responsible for the accuracy of all information submitted. Providing false, misleading, or incomplete information may result in disqualification, removal from the program, revocation of any certificate, and a ban from future application cycles.

7. Program rules

Participants must follow all program rules, which may be updated at any time. The current rules are published in the program portal. Continued participation constitutes acceptance of any updated rules.

8. Attendance requirement

At least 80% attendance is required to successfully complete the program. The program team determines attendance records. Meeting the attendance requirement does not automatically guarantee a certificate.

9. Interview process

Phase 2 interviews may be conducted through Google Meet, Zoom, or message/text communication. The platform, schedule, and format are determined solely by the program. Failure to attend a scheduled interview without prior notice may result in disqualification.

10. Program schedule changes

The program schedule, activities, sessions, duration, and arrangements may be modified, postponed, or cancelled at any time before or during the program. The program is not liable for any losses or inconvenience resulting from such changes.

11. Accommodation, travel support, and visa documentation

Accommodation is planned to be supplied by the host. Specific room configurations, room-sharing arrangements, and hotel details are not promised unless formally confirmed. Hotel availability is not guaranteed until formally confirmed by the program team. The program reserves the right to change accommodation arrangements without notice.

The program offers travel support to accepted participants. For accepted participants travelling from outside Türkiye, the program intends to arrange and cover travel to and from Istanbul. Accepted participants based in Türkiye may apply for travel support where they need it, which is awarded at the program team's discretion. Travel support is confirmed to each participant individually in writing before any booking is made, is subject to available funding, and applies only to the arrangements the program itself books or expressly agrees to reimburse. Travel booked by a participant before written confirmation is not covered. Travel support does not extend to visa fees, insurance, baggage charges, or personal expenses.

Where a participant requests it, the program team will provide documentation supporting a visa application, such as program confirmation and accommodation details. This support is optional and is provided as assistance only. The program does not submit applications, does not act as a representative before any authority, and cannot influence or guarantee the outcome of any visa decision. Visa outcomes, fees, and appointment scheduling remain the responsibility of the participant and the relevant authorities.

12. Meal arrangements

Meals are planned to be supplied by the host for the duration of the program. Meal arrangements, menus, and schedules may be adjusted. The program is not liable for dietary restrictions that cannot be accommodated.

13. Certificate conditions

The planned certificate is the "Certificate of Completion in Global Innovation and Social Leadership." Certificate(s), titles, issuing arrangements, institutional support, and certification details may vary or change at any time. Issuance of a certificate remains subject to the final program rules, attendance requirements, and any applicable certificate conditions. A certificate may be revoked at any time if it is discovered that the participant provided false information or violated program rules.

14. No institutional endorsement claimed

Support from the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a future plan and remains subject to formal confirmation. It must not be interpreted as current official endorsement or affiliation unless explicitly confirmed in writing by the program. No other institutional, governmental, or organizational endorsement is claimed unless explicitly stated on the official program website.

15. Participant conduct

Participants are expected to behave respectfully, responsibly, and lawfully at all times. Discrimination, harassment, bullying, intimidation, unsafe behavior, substance abuse, or any conduct that disrupts the program is not tolerated. The program team reserves the right to remove any participant whose conduct is, in the program team's sole judgment, detrimental to the program or its participants.

16. Removal from the program

The program team reserves the right to remove a participant at any time for serious rule violations, misconduct, misrepresentation, providing false information, or any conduct deemed detrimental. Removal decisions are final and are not subject to appeal. Removed participants are not entitled to any certificate, accommodation, or further program benefits.

17. Event or program cancellation or modification

The program team reserves the right to cancel, postpone, modify, or terminate the program at any time, for any reason. In such cases, accepted participants will be notified. The program is not liable for any costs, losses, or damages resulting from cancellation, postponement, or modification, including but not limited to travel, visa, accommodation, or opportunity costs.

18. Intellectual property

Any arrangements regarding intellectual property created during the program will be communicated to participants separately. By default, participants retain ownership of their own pre-existing work. Collaborative work created during program activities may be subject to separate written agreements.

19. Website usage

Users agree to use the website lawfully and not to attempt to compromise its security, overload it, or use it for any unlawful purpose. Automated scraping, brute-force attacks, or attempts to access unauthorized data are prohibited and may result in permanent bans and legal action.

20. Account security

Applicants are responsible for keeping their account credentials secure. The program is not liable for unauthorized access resulting from the applicant's failure to protect their credentials.

21. Communications

The program communicates with applicants through the applicant portal. Support requests are answered inside the request itself, and decisions appear on the applicant dashboard. Where a matter is urgent, or where the person has no account, the program may also send an SMS or WhatsApp message to the phone number given at registration. The program does not send email. Applicants are responsible for keeping that number current and for signing in regularly, and the program is not liable for consequences arising from an unreachable number or an unchecked portal.

22. Liability limitations — important

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the program, its team, volunteers, and coordinators are not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages arising from participation in the program, use of the website, or any program-related activities. This includes but is not limited to: travel incidents, health issues, property loss, personal injury, emotional distress, loss of opportunity, or any other damages. Participants participate at their own risk. The program does not provide insurance for participants. Participants are strongly advised to obtain their own travel and health insurance.

23. Assumption of risk

By applying to and participating in the program, participants acknowledge and accept that the program involves travel to and residence in Istanbul, Türkiye, participation in group activities, and interaction with other participants and third parties. Participants assume all risks associated with these activities.

24. Minors and guardian responsibility

For applicants under 18, a parent or legal guardian must provide consent and information as part of the application. The parent or guardian is responsible for reviewing these terms with the minor applicant and ensuring the minor's participation is lawful and appropriate. The program is not liable for minors' conduct, health, or safety beyond reasonable supervision during organized program activities.

25. Governing law

These terms are intended to be interpreted in accordance with applicable Turkish law and any other relevant jurisdictions. Any disputes shall be resolved in the competent courts of Istanbul, Türkiye, unless otherwise required by mandatory law. Final wording is subject to legal review.

26. Privacy and your data

Your personal data is handled under our Privacy Policy. As a core commitment, we will never sell your data — not your name, contact details, photographs, or application. Your data is encrypted in transit and at rest, access is restricted to authorized personnel only, and is used solely to assess applications, verify identity and eligibility, administer the program, and (where applicable) issue certificates. It is never used for advertising, AI training, facial recognition, or profiling, and is never sold or traded to any third party. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

27. Cookies

See our Cookie Policy for how we use cookies.

28. Changes to these terms

The program reserves the right to update these terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated through the portal. Continued use of the website or participation in the program after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

29. No waiver

Failure by the program to enforce any provision of these terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other provision.

30. Severability

If any provision of these terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect.

These terms govern participation in a free, volunteer-run initiative and are intended to set fair expectations; they do not create a commercial or contractual relationship.