The 'Climate Vision: Policies for the Future' project, the "Climate Policies and Youth Workshop," was completed on 22 November 2024 in Daday. The workshop was organized to strengthen the cooperation of young people, public institutions, non-governmental organizations, and local governments in the fight against climate change and to develop various solution proposals.
In his opening speech, project coordinator Lect. Prof. Dr. Berkan Güngör stated that young people are not only the actors of the future but also the essential actors of today and emphasized that the contribution of young people is needed more than ever in decision-making processes and solution-generating platforms. He stated that this workshop is an essential step in meeting this need.
Atakan Akman, Director of Cide Local Action Group Association, expressed his happiness about contributing to the project. Prof. Dr. Alperen Kaymakcı, General Manager of Kastamonu Teknokent A.Ş., emphasized the need for innovative solutions and innovation against climate change. Stating that such challenging tasks will be solved with the devoted work of young people in the future, he said that Teknokent and the Technology Transfer Office are always open to young people's ideas.
Kastamonu Provincial Disaster and Emergency Manager Dr. Suat Tüfekci drew attention to the need for a global struggle against climate change and stated that young people play a very important role as experts and leaders of the future. At this point, he stated that all segments of society should face the reality of climate change.
Prof. Dr. Ömer Küçük, Vice Rector of Kastamonu University, touched upon the state's efforts in combating climate change and stated that we are one of the rare countries that increase the presence of forests and that important steps have been taken to reduce carbon emissions through afforestation efforts. He also emphasized projects such as alternative energy sources and zero waste.
In the workshop, five thematic tables were formed under the leadership of Kastamonu University, Teknokent A.Ş., Kastamonu Provincial Disaster and Emergency Directorate (AFAD), Cide Local Action Group Association (YEG) and Kastamonu Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change. In these tables, 'Climate education and awareness,' 'Innovative innovations and entrepreneurship,' 'Disaster management and resilience,' 'Local climate action and civil society,' and 'Sustainable environment, urbanization, and agriculture' were discussed comprehensively.Representatives from Kastamonu Governorship, Kastamonu Municipality, Kastamonu Provincial Directorate of National Education, Kastamonu Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports, Kastamonu Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services, Kastamonu Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, Kastamonu Regional Directorate of Forestry, 23rd Regional Directorate of State Hydraulic Works, Kastamonu Provincial Coordinators of Agriculture and Rural Development Support Institution (TKDK), Kastamonu Provincial Directorate of Small and Medium Enterprises Development and Support Administration (KOSGEB), Northern Anatolia Development Agency (KUZKA), Kastamonu Chamber of Agricultural Engineers and Halime Çavuş Women's Association attended the workshop.
In the workshop, the participants developed concrete solution proposals by bringing together different perspectives in the fight against climate change. It was emphasized that the active participation of young people in climate policies should be encouraged, innovative technologies should be used, and action plans applicable at the local level should be created.
After completing the sessions, the project participants declared the final declaration of the workshop. The workshop was held with the participation of 62 people, including seven academicians, 14 representatives of public institutions/organizations, three representatives of non-governmental organizations, two private sector representatives, and 35 young people, and a total of 31 decisions and 153 action proposals were decided.
