Aliyyah Koloc, Gleec Ambassador, Launches FOUNDATION 29 to Unite Art, Empathy, and Global Action
4 min read
Car racing champion and official Gleec Ambassador Aliyyah Koloc launched FOUNDATION 29 on July 1, 2025. Its philanthropic initiative focuses on environmental protection, cultural heritage preservation, and support for individuals living with Asperger’s syndrome, now understood as a high-functioning form of autism spectrum disorder or ASD, which an estimated 2.0-2.5% of the world’s population suffers from. Koloc is leveraging her status to spread awareness and raise funds for the foundation, which has already secured funding of $290,000. $100,000 came from Gleec Exchange, another $100,000 from Mandala Exchange, and her personal contribution amounted to $90,000. The foundation is on a mission to bridge action, art, and empathy worldwide, with deep personal roots and a global board of trustees. FOUNDATION 29 will announce its first series of projects across the three pillars in the immediate future. As its reach expands, regular updates will follow, and the projects will benefit from expert guidance from the trustees and support from an international network. A story of resilience – and many national flags The launch event, hosted by CNN journalist Jiří Šlégl from the Czech Republic, welcomed cultural leaders, international trustees, and supporters to introduce an initiative that’s shaped by a global vision and personal experience at the same time. Koloc reflected on her experience of living with Asperger’s and her multicultural background in her keynote speech, revealing how hers is a story of “many flags, a mosaic of identities” fueling her desire to connect individuals worldwide through action, art, and empathy. She was born in Dubai to a Seychellois-Sudanese mother and a Czech father with Vanuatuan roots. Her diverse heritage helped shape her personality: vision from Dubai, resilience from the Czech Republic, strength from Sudan, peace in simplicity from the Seychelles, and ancestral wisdom from Vanuatu. She was diagnosed with Asperger’s in her early teens, and social interactions didn’t come easily to her. She overcame that challenge through motorsport, a team sport that involves working with mechanics, engineers, media, etc. She learned to communicate by practicing public speaking and regularly stepping out of her comfort zone. Refusing to let the diagnosis define her, Koloc won first place in the 2022 FIA Middle East Cup for Cross-Country Bajas – T3 series, first place in the 2024 24H Series – GT4 (in progress), and third place in 24H GT Series – GT4 (2023). Championing cultural preservation, environmental protection, and neuroinclusion A trustee with the relevant perspective and experience leads each of FOUNDATION 29’s three pillars, and each trustee has received $80,000 to launch pillar-specific projects. Te Moli Venaos Goiset, a Vanuatuan philanthropist and tribal chief, will help preserve endangered artistic expressions, from the spiritual legacy of Pacific tribal cultures to Renaissance masterpieces. He hopes that FOUNDATION 29 will be able to restore the values that Europe has lost by reconnecting people with their ancestral truths, art, and nature. Hugues de Jaillon, a world-renowned public figure and philanthropic strategist, has been entrusted with initiatives to protect ecosystems, especially in Asia and the Pacific. He believes Koloc’s FOUNDATION 29 will play a pivotal role in environmental initiatives, especially in Asia, as Koloc’s racing is bringing her closer and closer to this region. Syed Nusrat Ahmed, a specialist in autism and long-time supporter of Koloc’s career, will assist in tailoring programs to give young people with this form of ASD the opportunities and tools they need to survive and thrive. He pledges an unwavering commitment to supporting programs in underserved regions and respects Koloc’s drive to help others, which stems from her own experience with the condition. 29 was Koloc’s first race number; her father was born on July 29, and she and her twin sister should have been born on July 29 as well, but they were early. It was her 21st birthday on July 1. The number 29 reminds her not only of where she wants to go, but also of where she has been. She remains committed to expanding the reach of FOUNDATION 29 alongside her career as her racing season continues with a GT race in Most, Czech Republic, and further rallies this fall. She commented: “This foundation is not about charity. It is about commitment. It belongs to all who want to honor the past, uplift the present, and protect the future. To our trustees, to our supporters: Thank you for walking with me.” The future of crypto-powered cultural preservation Koloc says she has always loved discovering new ideas and has learned a great deal about crypto and blockchain since starting to work with Raphael Coin (RAPH), which is supported by Gleec’s blockchain infrastructure. RAPH enables fractional ownership of “Recto: Study for the Battle of the Milvian Bridge,” a preparatory drawing by the Italian Renaissance artist Raphael. She loves art and finds its connection with technology fascinating. Anyone can help preserve cultural heritage through fractional ownership. The launch of FOUNDATION 29 is part of a dynamic that extends beyond racing, encompassing responsibility, identity, and the future of crypto-powered cultural preservation. Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

Source: Crypto Daily