YOUNG LEADERS FOR GREEN SOLUTIONS

Under the coordination of Bülbülzade Association, the “Young Leaders for Green Solutions” project carried out within the scope of Erasmus + KA151 Youth Accreditation was held in Gaziantep between April 7-13, 2025. Approximately 60 young people from nine institutions including Maarif Europe and US Akademiker Platform from Germany, IFS Emmaus from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bridge Association and Majka Association from North Macedonia, Emu from France, Bülbülzade Association, Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality and Science Education Culture Research Center (BEKAM) from Turkey participated in the project. The program, designed to increase the sensitivity of young people to environmental issues, develop an understanding of sustainable environment and reinforce ecological leadership awareness, was completed with a full content.

The first day of the project started with introductory events. On Tuesday, April 8, the opening program was held at the Bülbülzade Foundation headquarters. The opening was attended by Turgay Aldemir, President of Bülbülzade Foundation and Bülbülzade Association, as well as foundation managers, volunteers and project participants. Afterwards, the participants went to the Gizem Doğan Living Learning Center of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality. Activities such as camping games and archery were organized here. In the afternoon seminar, BEKAM Board Member Mesut Aydağ presented the historical development of human-induced environmental degradation, its effects on the ecosystem and solution proposals. In the networking workshop held in the evening session, participating organizations introduced themselves and their fields of activity. The day ended with a music concert.

On the third day, after the camp activities, a city tour of Gaziantep was organized. 25 December Panorama Museum and other important cultural and historical sites of the city were visited. In the evening session, a forum titled “Civil Society and Youth Studies” was organized under the moderation of BEKAM President Mehmet Ali Eminoğlu. In the forum, topics such as civil society's relationship with young people, volunteering, active citizenship and local participation were discussed.

On the fourth day, a station model workshop was organized in the morning with the theme “Green Solutions”. Participants developed environmentally friendly ideas in small groups and proposed solutions. Afterwards, Gaziantep Solid Waste Landfill Facility was visited, where a technical presentation was made on waste management and recycling processes. Later in the day, Gaziantep Zoo was visited. In the evening, Mustafa Kemal University Faculty Member Dr. Yunus Ergen gave a presentation on “Leadership and Ecological Leadership”. In the presentation, it was explained with examples how leadership gains meaning when combined with environmental responsibility and then an individual leadership test was applied to the participants.

The fifth day continued with a nature and culture themed program. During the trip to Rumkale and Halfeti, the participants observed the natural and historical beauties of the region on site with a boat tour.

The last two days of the project were dedicated to activities in touch with nature. A nature walk was organized in Bülbülzade Foundation Kurtuluş Forest and a sapling was planted on behalf of each organization. In the general evaluation session held after lunch, the opinions of the participants about the project process were received. The program ended with the presentation of YouthPass certificates to the participants.

Within the scope of the program, the young leaders also visited Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin and Şahinbey Mayor Mehmet Tahmazoğlu and had the opportunity to get information about the environment and youth policies of local governments.