BORNOVA MUNICIPALITY
A SIgnIfIcant Step In the ClImate Struggle In Bornova
The EU-supported “Town Twinning” project, which brought together Bornova Municipality and the city of Heidelberg, Germany, concluded with a closing conference held at Yaşar University. Significant collaborations were made within the framework of the project, aimed at enhancing dialogue between local governments in Turkey and the European Union, and strengthening the capacities of local administrations through climate and environment-based actions. At the end of the conference, a cooperation protocol was signed between Bornova Municipality and the Association of Energy Industrialists and Businesspeople (ENSIA).
Mayor Eşki: “This is just the beginning for us”
Speaking at the conference, Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki described the project as a starting point for Bornova. Referring to İzmir as the capital of renewable energy, Eşki said, “As Bornova Municipality, we aim to be a pioneer in İzmir.” He also criticized the consumption culture of global capitalism, emphasizing the need for cities to act together for a more sustainable world. Eşki highlighted how the U.S. has imposed its consumption tradition as a pressure element on the rest of the world and stressed that all cities must unite to protect the environment.
Eşki, who holds a master’s degree in energy law from Yaşar University, underlined the importance he places on renewable energy, stating, “We will do everything in our power to make Bornova a model city in this field, leaving a clean world for future generations.” In his speech, he used İzmir Bay as an example and called for broader cooperation in the field of sustainability..
Rector Kandiller: “This project should be expanded across Turkey”
Yaşar University Rector Prof. Dr. Levent Kandiller emphasized that the Bornberg project was a successful collaboration between two municipalities and two universities. He noted that the project not only brought together two cities but also established a new bridge of cooperation between Turkey and Germany. Kandiller stated, “This project should spread to other districts of İzmir, the Aegean Region, and throughout Turkey,” and emphasized that local dynamics should play a greater role in global projects.
The capacity of local governments is increasing
Yeşim Kebapçıoğlu, İzmir Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, thanked all the partners involved in the project and highlighted the importance of cities building resilience in environmental, social, and economic matters, especially as a large portion of the world’s population will live in cities in the future. Kebapçıoğlu stated that such projects play a critical role in enhancing the capacities of local governments.
Striking Warnings from Dr. Rayno Vinkler
Dr. Raino Vinkler, Director of the Environment, Trade Supervision, and Energy Office of Heidelberg Municipality, emphasized that 2023 was a record year in terms of climate change and that radical steps need to be taken for a more sustainable world. Highlighting the crucial role local governments play in combating climate change, Vinkler expressed his hope that the exchange of knowledge facilitated by the project would have a positive impact on countries’ climate policies.
Cooperation Protocol with ENSIA
At the end of the conference, a cooperation protocol was signed between Bornova Municipality and the Association of Energy Industrialists and Businesspeople (ENSIA). The protocol aims to contribute to the development of the sector through conferences, summits, and workshops organized in the field of energy. Alper Kalaycı, Chairman of the Board of ENSIA, stated that İzmir stands out as the capital of renewable energy, saying, “As ENSIA, we stand alongside both our municipalities and our universities in İzmir.”
ENSIA: A Strong Sector Representative for Renewable Energy
The Association of Energy Industrialists and Businesspeople (ENSIA) supports companies that produce equipment, technology, and projects in the renewable energy sector, ensuring access to affordable and clean energy in Turkey. ENSIA aims to contribute to the development of the energy sector using local resources and to facilitate the emergence of new technologies.
Project Activity Date: 27 September 2024
Location: Heidelberg, Almanya
Web: Heidelberg
Event Name/Announcement Subject: Heidelberg Municipality 2nd Study Visit
Heidelberg and Bornova IntensIfy ClImate ProtectIon CooperatIon
A 14-member delegation from the Turkish city of Bornova visited Heidelberg last week to deepen the existing partnership in climate protection. Since 2023, both cities have been exchanging their experiences in developing climate protection plans and adapting to climate change as part of the project partnership. The delegation, led by the new mayor Ömer Eşki, was particularly interested in the implementation of climate protection projects in various areas, from urban planning to energy efficiency. Representatives of Yaşar University in Bornova also learned about the Climate Change Management and Education for Sustainable Development courses offered at SRH Heidelberg and the Heidelberg University of Education. During the visit from September 22 to 27, the Environmental Office of the City of Heidelberg presented successful projects such as the heat action plan, the newly opened congress center as an example of large-scale implementation of passive construction, or the Bahnstadt, one of the largest passive house settlements in the world. During a visit to the IT service provider Heidelberg iT, aspects such as green economy and energy saving potentials when using server waste heat were presented.
Mayor Eckart Würzner and Environmental Mayor Raoul Schmidt-Lamontain consider the exchange of skilled workers to be very important. “At the municipal level, the exchange on an equal footing is particularly efficient. This is why the EU also supports projects such as the Town Twinning program with the city of Bornova. Together we can learn from each other and pool our expertise in the field of climate protection. In this way we can create a sustainable future for our cities,” explained Würzner.
Background Climate Protection Project Partnership
A delegation from the Turkish city was already a guest in Heidelberg in January 2024. The cities of Heidelberg and Bornova have been linked since 2023 through the EU project “Town Twinning”. The aim of this project is to promote exchange between European cities and to jointly develop solutions to local challenges. Both cities are members of the international city network “Energy Cities”.
Heidelberg has set itself ambitious climate goals: the city administration wants to be as climate-neutral as possible by 2030. The city as a whole is to achieve climate neutrality by 2040.
Project Activity Date: 21 September 2024
Location: Uğur Okulları Bayraklı Kampüsü
Time: 13.09.2024
Green Future TraInIng In Bornova
Under the “Town Twinning-II: Matching Grant Program for a Green Future” between Turkey and the EU, the climate adaptation town twinning project known as BORNBERG, between BORNova and HeidelBERG municipalities, continues its educational activities in local schools.
The BORNBERG project, led by Bornova Municipality, aims to enhance the capacity and resilience of Bornova in fight against climate change and reducing carbon emissions. This initiative not only strengthens cooperation between the two cities for a sustainable future but also raises awareness among Bornova residents through education.
Academics Share Insights
Training sessions provided by Yaşar University academics, who are project partners, focus on climate change and sustainability. During a recent awareness training at Uğur Schools in Bayraklı, Prof. Dr. Nurdan Yıldırım and Dr. Emin Selahattin Umdu from Yaşar University discussed the climate-related challenges facing Bornova and Turkey, as well as the measures that can be taken.
Grant for the Project
The training under the project is categorized into two main headings: “institutional capacity building” and “awareness raising.” The awareness training targets youth, youth workers, children, and women. Bornova Municipality has received a €100,000 grant from the European Union for a project with a total budget of €110,000.
Effort for Children
Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki, who holds a master’s degree in renewable energy, addressed the children during the training session at Uğur Schools, stating, “We are make in an effort to leave you the world you deserve. I hope we can succeed together.” He emphasized the detrimental impacts of human activity on the planet and stated that the BORNBERG project aims to protect nature. He added, “If children take care of nature and start a movement for its protection, no one can stand in their way.” Mayor Eşki concluded, “We want to hand over our environment to our children in a proper and healthy way. We will continue our educational efforts to instill this awareness in all our children.”
Project Activity Date: 3 June 2024
Location: Bornova Municipality Assembly Hall
Time: 31.05.2024
Bornova MunIcIpalIty wIll work for a green future
Developments regarding the Climate Adaptation City Pairing Project (BORNBERG) initiated between Bornova Municipality and City of Heidelberg were conveyed to the managers and deputy mayors in Bornova Municipality with in the scope of Activity 4.1.1. In the meeting, discussions were held on steps that Bornova Municipality will take “for a gren future,” depending on the experiences of the City of Heidelberg, which has best practices in this field all around Europe.
During the briefing session held at Bornova Municipality Council Hall, in sights were shared on climate-related issues, update developments and measures to be taken for Bornova and Turkey by the Project partners including Heidelberg Municipality and ENSIA, and the team from Yaşar University, represented by Prof. Dr. Nurdan Yıldırım and Assistant Professor Emin Selahattin Umdu.
Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki, who has a master’s degree in Renewable Energies, stated, “Issues related to climate are often perceived as problems only for educated individuals, but they are everyone’s concern. Therefore, we aim to raise awareness. We are at the beginning of the road. Hopefully, together we can implement a beneficial Project for our municipality, ourcity, and country.”
Project Activity Date: 22 May 2024
Location: Bornova Municipality and Ömer Eşki Instagram accounts
Time: 22.05.2024
Two cities, one target: Bornova and Heidelberg are combining their efforts under the Town Twinning Grant Scheme for a Green Future to against climate change!
With the BORNBERG Project, we aim to increase Bornova’s climate resilience and reduce CO2 emissions. Through the Local Climate Action Plan, we are taking strategic steps towards a sustainable future.
In collaboration with Bornova, Heidelberg, Yaşar University, and the Energy Industry and Business People Association, we are progressing together towards addressing climate change and sustainable development. We are raising awareness among various segments of society.
This journey is just the beginning. Let’s continue working together for a greener world!
The Openning Ceremony of EU Grant Project Implemented by Bornova Municipality Is realised on 5 December 2023
Under the auspices of Town Twinning Between Turkey and the EU – II For a Green Future Grant Programme; Bornova Municipality started implementing the “Town Twinning between Bornova and Heidelberg Municipalities (Germany) for Climate Adaptation” (BORNBERG Project) project on 1 November 2023.
The Opening Ceremony of the BORNBERG project has been held at Yaşar University Conference Hall on 5 December 2023, with participation of Bornova Mayor Dr. Mustafa İduğ, Yaşar University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Yiğit Kazançoğlu, ENSIA Chairman of the Board of Directors Alper Kalaycı, Heidelberg Municipality Technical Environmental Protection Department Head Dr. Raino Winkler and his colleague Christine Fiedler from the Business Inspection and Energy Climate Protection Department together with Republic of Turkey Directorate EU Affairs Expert Ceyhan Çiçek and many academics and Bornova Municipality bureaucrats.
This project, which is planned to develop the Local Climate Action Plan (SECAP) for Bornova, has a duration of 12 months. Yaşar University and ENSIA (Energy Industrialists & Businessmen Association) are among the Turkish partners of the project in partnership with Heidelberg Municipality from Germany.
