“STRONG ESKİŞEHİR AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE” PROJECT COMES TO LIFE

Within the scope of the “Strengthening Civil Participation for Democratic Local Governance in Türkiye Project” implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the “Strong Eskişehir Against Climate Change Project” is being implemented in cooperation with Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality and TEMA Foundation. The project aims to make Eskişehir more resilient against the negative effects of climate change.

The project, supported by a grant provided under the Civil Participation Project financed by the European Union and implemented by UNDP, aims to increase Eskişehir’s capacity to adapt to climate change by developing nature-based solutions and climate risk maps. The 12-month project was announced to the public at a introductory meeting held with the participation of Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor İnci Şentuna, TEMA Foundation Environmental Policies and International Relations Department Head Eylem Tuncaelli, Seyitgazi Mayor Uğur Tepe, Eskişehir City Council President Ahmet Kapanoğlu, municipal bureaucrats, and representatives of various civil society organizations.

Towards a More Resilient City with Local Authorities and NGOs

Within the scope of the project, which aims to increase climate awareness in society, risk maps of disasters related to climate change will be created and these maps will be shared on digital platforms. Climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies will be developed for local governments; these strategies will be supported by documents that will guide decision-makers. A Climate Action Center will be established where the public can get information about climate change and participate in various activities. In addition, surveys will be conducted on the subject and meetings will be held with local civil society organizations (NGOs), neighborhood councils and city councils. Technical training will be provided for local government and NGO employees on the use of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Technologies.

An Exemplary City Resistant To the Negative Effects Of Climate Change: Eskişehir

The project aims to make Eskişehir an exemplary city in the fight against climate change, and also aims to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between NGOs and public institutions, and to support the legal framework for volunteering culture in Türkiye at local and national levels.

Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor İnci Şentuna, in her speech at the meeting, stated that the project presented an important opportunity for Eskişehir and drew attention to the critical role of local governments in strengthening climate policies. Şentuna said, "The role of local governments in climate policies is very important. With the project that will last 12 months, we aim to make Eskişehir an exemplary city in the fight against climate change. However, it is necessary to fight against the problems caused by climate change as a whole. This beginning will also open new horizons for the society to take part in this fight. We all know very well that Eskişehir is a special city in terms of awareness. We will make a difference again with this project. May it be beneficial for our city."

"Active participation of society is essential in combating climate change"

TEMA Foundation Environmental Policies and International Relations Department Head Eylem Tuncaelli stated that they will encourage cooperation in this area by ensuring the active participation of all segments of society in combating climate change within the scope of the project. Tuncaelli said, "Combating climate change is no longer just a matter of governments or scientists. Every segment of society needs to be involved in this process. Without the active participation of the public in decision-making mechanisms, it is not possible to achieve a transformation that will affect the solution. We believe that everyone living in Eskişehir can make a small or large contribution to combating climate change with this project. We should not forget that small changes are the beginning of big transformations."