First Meeting of “SUMP Türkiye Volunteers” Was Held with the Participation of Non-Governmental Organisations

The first meeting of SUMP Türkiye Volunteers, an initiative created for more efficient and sustainable communication under 'EU Support for promoting Sustainable Urban Mobility in Turkish Cities Project (SUMP Türkiye)',  which is being implemented under the Sectoral Operational Programme for Transport, was held online on February 7, 2024. Representatives of the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye and related NGOs participated in the meeting.

Mr. Ertuğrul Şafak, the Head of Projects and Financing Directorate of the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye, delivered the opening speech where he gave brief information about the SUMP Türkiye Project.

The Key Expert for Communication Activities of SUMP Türkiye Project and moderator of the meeting, Ms. Ayşe Sarp Gür, summarized the communication activities and approach of the Project. Within the scope of the communication approach of the Project, it was emphasized that 2024 was declared as the year of "Use" of sustainable urban transportation vehicles with the theme of "Live Your City" and the main purpose of the SUMP Türkiye Volunteers is to implement projects that will increase the use of these vehicles by citizens through stakeholders.

Ms. Özde Dereli, Senior NKE Digital Communications Specialist of SUMP Türkiye Project, gave a short presentation on the SUMP Türkiye Volunteers. The digital badge designed for this project and the project hashtags that project stakeholders can use while announcing their related activities were shared with the meeting participants.

In the continuation of the meeting, representatives of civil society organizations such as Kavşak Ağı, Bisikletliler Derneği, Global Engelliler Vakfı ve ENVERÇEVKO delivered their presentations and potential collaboration projects that can be supported by SUMP Türkiye were discussed. The NGOs participating in the meeting became the first members of "SUMP Türkiye Volunteers".

During the meeting, five potential sustainable urban mobility projects were identified, which would have a significantly wider impact if developed and implemented collaboratively. These projects are planned to target children, youth, drivers, people with disabilities and businesses.

Participants were informed that the online meetings of "SUMP Türkiye Volunteers" will continue in March, April and May with different target groups such as universities, business world and governmental institutions.

It was also pointed out that another goal of "SUMP Türkiye Volunteers", which will mediate the identification of new potential projects and relevant project stakeholders, is to facilitate the mediation of the relevant municipalities for all projects that will be put forward as a result of these stakeholder collaborations. It is aimed for these projects to be included in the "Permanent Projects" category of the European Mobility Week in September.