Duration: Since September 2017.

Aims: Zero Waste Project aims to:

–          improve efficiency and performance with the clean environment

–          Reducing the costs by preventing waste

–          Supporting the ‘responsible consumer’ sense

–          Reducing environmental risks

Implementation: To create a Zero Waste Model in an organization, the 7-step methodology is followed: Identification of focal points, current situation assessment, planning, needs analysis and procurement, education and awareness raising, implementation, reporting.

This project is implemented with a collaboration of some stakeholders:

–          TRT (Turkish Radio and Television Association): TRT was founded in 1964 and it has been taking the responsibility of the broadcasting of the national projects since then. It also contributes to the advertisement and promotion aspect of the Zero Waste Project as well as with a financial support.

–          Turkish Airlines: It is one of the most popular and biggest companies in Türkiye and it contributes to the Project by using its popularity to spread the examples of good practices. It also supports the Project financially.

–          TEMA (The Turkish Foundation For Reforestation and Protection of Natural Habitats): This foundation has been contributing the Project since 2018 by taking the responsibility of the raising awareness and education of the participants.

–          Turmepa (Turkish Marine Environment Protection Association): They have been contributing to the Project in the coastlands and maritime areas. Also, they have been providing awareness materials and publications for the implementation and dissemination of the Project.

–          This project is supported by the governmental organizations as well as the biggest organizations in the country. This makes the Project more well-known and popular in the public.

–          Also, the stakeholders are quite competent in their target areas, so it makes the Project implementation more successful with their contribution.

Difficulties / Barriers:

–          Project participants’ technical and infrastructural deficiencies can be taught as one of the difficulties of this Project and the implementation process can be less effective in these organizations.

–          Neglect of the Project implementation standards and not giving enough importance to the educational & awareness aspect of the Project.

On the other hand, this Project gives huge importance on the education of young children at school. Volunteer teachers gives trainings about protecting nature, recycling and waste reduction. This provides the sustainability of the Project by bringing awareness to young students.

http://zerowaste.gov.tr/

Other related resources that have been developed and are available online:

–          https://www.turmepa.org.tr/

–          https://www.tema.org.tr/

–          https://csb.gov.tr/en

Duration: Since 2013.

Aims: The aim of the competition is to encourage university students to develop environmentally friendly products, applications and projects in the fields of packaging design, waste management and social responsibility, and to ensure university-industry cooperation.

Implementation: This competition is held annually by ÇEVKO in three categories. Students prepare a portfolio to describe and show their design in detail with models, pictures, videos, etc. A jury consist of engineers, academicians and experts choose the best ones of the categories according to the criteria and priorities.

– This competition is organized by one of the biggest environment and sustainability foundations in Türkiye which has a broad network with public and private institutions and universities. This makes the competition prestigious and very popular among university students, especially the ones who study at engineering departments. On the other hand, the monetary award promotes the motivation and competition between the students.

Difficulties / Barriers:

– This kind of competitions foster the awareness and engagement of students to the environmental issues and give them a reason to take an action against the global issues. So, more categories and competitions should be organized to include more students.

This competition is an example of good practices for the promotion of the engagement of young adults as it creates them an environment and motivates them to take an action to tackle the climate issues. It gives them an opportunity to analyse the needs of the sector and community and address them with innovative designs.

The students gain deeper insight for environmental issues and how to take responsibility, so they sustain this eco-friendly attitude in every aspect of their lives.

https://yesilnoktaogrenci.cevko.org.tr/index.html

Other related resources that have been developed and are available online:

https://www.cevko.org.tr/index.php?lang=en

Objective: The game dynamic is based on a principle of interaction between the different cities enhanced by external events disrupting the development of the cities. Participants represent the authorities of the cities in the game and must build the most sustainable cities possible. Our desire, in this tool, is to encourage the creativity and reflections of participants to imagine the cities of tomorrow, so that they are sustainable and open.

Brief description: The game dynamic is based on a principle of interaction between different cities enhanced by external events disrupting the development of the cities. Participants represent the authorities of the cities in the game and must build the most sustainable cities possible.

Needs: Meet SDG Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Background: According to UN Habitat (UN agency which deals with issues related to housing) 6 out of 10 people in the world will reside in an urban area by 2030. With this major urbanization phenomenon, cities will face unprecedented demographic, environmental, social and spatial challenges. They will face many challenges to becoming sustainable cities and communities that are fully in line with the dynamics of the Sustainable Development Goals defined by the UN!

Since 2006, KuriOz (https://www.comprendrepouragir.org/editeur/kurioz/) has administered “comprendrepouragir.org” (understand to act). Today, around thirty international solidarity and grassroots education associations share educational tools there, based on their experiences and their analyses of ECSI (Education for Citizenship and International Solidarity). In a school setting, with adults or as a family, they allow education on themes as varied as global inequalities, ecological transition, or the fight against discrimination, in an innovative and fun way, to move on to action and change the world!

https://www.comprendrepouragir.org/?s=habiter+la+terre

Other related resources this tool is based on:

http://www.kurioz.org/

https://www.facebook.com/KuriOzcite/about

Whenever we are asked to consider the appropriate or best way to communicate with Council on matters of the public interest, such as our collective environments challenges with municipal infrastructure, I consider the public messages that will be most helpful and instructive for our “unelected community representatives” in our local democracies – the citizens.

There are two reasons for this. The first is that even in this media and information age, official City Hall professional communications should never be perceived as a substitute for local leadership. The second is that the enormous challenges that our local governments are facing – from infrastructure to climate change to social well-being – have been made chronically more difficult to address due to a lack of civic education in fostering informed, active and engaged citizens, which are required for a democracy to function effectively.

Date: 24 July 2019.

Promoting Civic Education and Engagement: The article emphasizes the need for civic education to foster informed, active, and engaged citizens, which are essential for effective democratic governance. Similarly, the CIVICGREEN Project seeks to empower citizens to participate in environmental decision-making processes, thereby promoting transparency, accountability, and public trust in governance institutions.

Addressing Short-Termism and Sustainability: The article highlights the detrimental effects of short-termism on infrastructure planning and governance, emphasizing the importance of long-term sustainability considerations. The CIVICGREEN Project may address similar issues by advocating for sustainable environmental policies and practices that prioritize the long-term well-being of communities and ecosystems.

Enhancing Communication and Public Participation: The article underscores the importance of effective communication between elected representatives, citizens, and stakeholders in addressing infrastructure challenges. Likewise, the CIVICGREEN Project may focus on enhancing communication channels, promoting public dialogue, and facilitating meaningful engagement between policymakers, experts, and the public to ensure that environmental decisions reflect community needs and values.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/our-infrastructure-story-civic-education-diane-kalen-sukra-ma-cmc/

Date:  2023.

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs): CSOs working on issues related to human rights, democracy, freedom of expression, and social justice would be a primary target audience. The report provides them with valuable information about the challenges and threats they may face in their work, enabling them to better understand the operating environment and strategize accordingly.

Journalists and Media Professionals: Given the report’s focus on threats against journalists and media pluralism, journalists and media professionals would also be important target groups. The report can serve as a resource for them to understand the risks associated with their profession and to advocate for press freedom and media pluralism.

Government Officials and Policymakers: Government officials and policymakers at the local, national, and international levels would benefit from understanding the challenges faced by civil society and the media. The report can inform their decision-making processes, prompting them to take action to protect and promote civil liberties, freedom of expression, and democratic principles.

International Organizations and Human Rights Advocates: International organizations, such as the United Nations, the European Union, and human rights advocacy groups, may use the report to monitor the human rights situation in Greece and to advocate for reforms and interventions to address the documented challenges.

Academics and Researchers: Scholars and researchers studying topics related to civil society, democracy, media freedom, and human rights may find the report useful for their academic work. It can serve as a source of data and analysis for further research and analysis.

General Public and Activists: The general public, including activists and concerned citizens, may also be interested in the report’s findings and recommendations. It can raise awareness about threats to civil liberties and democratic norms, mobilizing public support for efforts to safeguard these principles.

Published by: European Civic Forum and Civic Space Watch

Legal and Regulatory Environment: The project may need to navigate a complex legal and regulatory environment, especially if it involves advocacy or engagement with governmental bodies. Understanding and addressing legal challenges faced by civil society organizations, such as those documented in the report, could be crucial for the successful implementation of the project.

Stakeholder Engagement: The project likely involves engaging with various stakeholders, including CSOs, government agencies, and media outlets. Awareness of the challenges faced by these stakeholders, such as threats against CSOs and journalists, can inform the project’s engagement strategies and help mitigate risks.

Advocacy and Awareness: If the CIVICGREEN Project aims to promote democratic empowerment, environmental sustainability, or social justice, it may intersect with the issues highlighted in the report. Advocacy efforts within the project could include raising awareness about threats to civil society, freedom of expression, and media pluralism, and advocating for policy reforms to address these challenges.

Capacity Building: The project may include capacity-building activities for CSOs and media professionals. Understanding the legal and regulatory constraints they face, as well as providing support in areas such as legal literacy, advocacy skills, and digital security, could strengthen their ability to contribute to the project’s goals despite the challenges outlined in the report.

https://civic-forum.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Civic-Space-Report-2023-GREECE-European-Civic-Forum.pdf