Trust is built through a sense of safety—both physical and mental. Instead of relying on in-depth interviews, which seek information but not collaboration, researchers used participatory methods—card sorts, drawing and visualizations, ‘pass the ball’, and more—to help adolescents creatively and comfortably express their needs and voice their concerns.

Research was conducted with 15 local partners, 13 caregivers, and 49 adolescents (aged 4-17) in Ankara and Gaziantep. The process revealed a number of critical insights, summarized below:

1. ‘Feedback’ is perceived as rude and inappropriate in Turkish and Syrian cultures. Without a direct translation, caregivers used the term ‘ayıp’, meaning shame or disrespect. The practice was seen as critical or risky—inviting repercussions like service disruption, discrimination, or deportation.

2. Sharing thoughts and feelings through self-expression was more readily accepted than ‘giving feedback’.

3. Incomplete feedback loops diminish trust. When families did share feedback, and received no response or follow-up, this led to distrust in digital mechanisms especially. In-person methods were preferred, and still required follow up to build trust. 

4. Schools not a space where children feel safe, seen or respected. After the age of 7, children reported experiencing or witness bullying from both peers and teachers.

5. Privacy (information safety) is non-negotiable. There is shame around needing help and a strong fear of gossip. Fear of having their problems known by others led to a fear of sharing feedback.