Yunus Emre Institute
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| Yunus Emre Enstitüsü | |
 | |
 | |
| Named after | Yunus Emre |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Government of Turkey |
| Type | Cultural institution |
| Headquarters | Turkey, Ankara |
Region served | Worldwide |
| Product | Turkish cultural education |
| Leader | President Abdurrahman Aliy |
| Website | www |
 Map showing the distribution of Yunus Emre Institute branches in and around Europe, as of 2015. | |
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Yunus Emre Institute (Turkish: Yunus Emre Enstitüsü) is a world-wide non-profit organization created by the Turkish government in 2007. Named after the famous 14th-century poet Yunus Emre, it aims to promote the Turkish language and the culture around the world. It has been regarded as a Turkish soft power institution[1][2] and was founded by the Presidency under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.[3][4][5] The activities, branching, and networking of the institute have most intensely been centered in and around the Balkans region.
Yunus Emre Institute was founded in 2007 under the Presidency of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. It is funded through public resources. The first diplomacy center was established in 2009 in Sarajevo.[6] In 2023, its budget was 1.3 billion Turkish liras.[7]
In July 2024, former president Şeref Ateş and 17 other personnel were dismissed under charges of embezzlement and fraud.[7] Warrants went out for their arrest, and all but Ateş were found and detained. It is believed that Ateş fled to Germany.[8] The new president is Abdurrahman Aliy.
Programming
Artificial intelligence platform
One of Yunus Emre Institute's goals is to promote knowledge of the Turkish language. In 2026, the institute plans to publish an Artificial Intelligence-based platform to teach Turkish.[9] According to Yunus Emre President Abdurrahman Aliy, “This will be one of the world’s most comprehensive online language-learning platforms. A person with no prior Turkish knowledge will be able to reach an advanced level through this system, guided by AI like a personal instructor."[10]
Cultural programming
They have hosted numerous art and cultural exhibits that relate to Turkish and broader Middle Eastern culture.[11] In February 2026, Yunus Emre Institue hosted a Turkish-Nigerian poetry gathering to promote cooperation between the two countries and strengthen cultural ties.[12] Other examples of cultural programming include exhibits on traditional Anatolian bridal gowns,[13] Turkish history,[14] and Turkey's National Children's Day.[15] In 2024, it was estimated that Yunus Emre Institue hosted over 1,000 cultural events worldwide.[6]
Turkology Project
The Turkology Project supports academic Turkology departments around the world. It aims to train specialists to promote Turkish language and culture.[9]
Locations
The Yunus Emre Institute operates 93 cultural centers across 69 countries as of 2025, reaching approximately 26,000 Turkish language learners.[9]
Expansion
In 2026, Yunus Emre institute plans to expand more into South America and Africa. The popularity of Turkish television series in Latin America has already promoted cultural ties between the two regions, according to Yunus Emre President Abdurrahman Aliy.[10]
A Yunus Emre branch may be opened in Ashgabat in coming years.
List of locations worldwide
Turkey – Ankara
Albania – Tirana- Albania – Shkodër
Kosovo – Pristina- Kosovo – Prizren
- Kosovo – Peja
Afghanistan – Kabul
Algeria – Algiers
Argentina – Buenos Aires
Australia – Melbourne
Austria – Vienna
Azerbaijan – Baku
Bahrain – Manama
Belgium – Brussels
Bosnia and Herzegovina – Fojnica- Bosnia and Herzegovina – Mostar
- Bosnia and Herzegovina – Sarajevo
Canada – Toronto
China – Beijing
Croatia – Zagreb
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus – Nicosia
Egypt – Cairo
United Kingdom – London
France – Paris
Georgia – Tbilisi
Germany – Berlin- Germany – Cologne
Hungary – Budapest
Indonesia – Jakarta[16]
Iran – Tehran
Ireland – Dublin
Italy – Rome
Japan – Tokyo
Jordan – Amman
Kazakhstan – Astana
Lebanon – Beirut
North Macedonia – Skopje
Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur
Mexico – Mexico City
Moldova – Comrat
Montenegro – Podgorica
Morocco – Rabat
Netherlands – Amsterdam
Nigeria – Abuja
Pakistan – Karachi- Pakistan – Lahore
Palestine – East Jerusalem- Palestine – Ramallah
Poland – Warsaw
Qatar – Doha
Romania – Bucharest- Romania – Constanța
Russia – Moscow- Russia – Kazan
Rwanda – Kigali
Senegal – Dakar
Serbia – Belgrade
Somalia – Mogadishu
South Africa – Johannesburg
South Korea – Seoul
Spain – Madrid
Sudan – Khartoum
Syria – Azaz
Tunisia – Tunis
Ukraine – Kyiv
United States – Washington, D.C.
