Within the scope of the EU Partnership for Local Climate Action in Türkiye Project, the Second Project Steering Committee Meeting was held on 6 September 2024 at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation, and Climate Change. Representatives of the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, the Directorate of Climate Change, the UNDP Türkiye Office, and relevant institutions of the Coordination Board on Climate Change and Adaptation participated in the meeting. During the meeting, details of the activities carried out within the scope of the project were presented, and targets for the upcoming period were discussed.
The meeting started with the opening remarks of the representatives of the Directorate of Climate Change, the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, and the UNDP Türkiye Office. Mr. Orhan SOLAK, Deputy Director of Climate Change, stated that since the commencement of the project in May 2023, the project completed approximately 16 months of its implementation period, and the meeting aimed to shape the steps for the upcoming period. Mr. Christian BALLARO, Programme Officer for Energy, Environment, and Climate Change at the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, emphasised the importance of the project in terms of working together for the shared objectives and benefit of citizens of the EU and Türkiye. Mr. Miodrag DRAGISIC, Deputy Resident Representative of the UNDP Türkiye Office, stated that the commitment of all parties is essential for the successful implementation of the project.
During the meeting, the progress made in the first 16 months of the project and the targets for the coming period were discussed. Ms. Ceren ÖZKAN, Project Manager, informed the participants about the recruitment processes of the project’s technical assistance team and the overall project structure. Mr. Kemal DEMİRKOL, Chief Technical Advisor for the project, presented technical details of the project components.
During the meeting, participants were also informed about the EU-TR Climate Change Grant Programme, which will be provided with technical assistance within the scope of the project. It was stated that this grant programme, which will support the climate actions of local authorities, will play a critical role in the implementation of climate actions at the local level. It was emphasised that local authorities, academia, NGOs, and other stakeholders can benefit from this grant programme to develop low-carbon and climate-resilient projects.
Details of activities such as field visits, workshops, training programmes, and technical reports carried out within the framework of the annual work plan were shared with the participants. It was noted that significant progress has been made so far under the project, and more field studies and training activities will be carried out in the upcoming period.
During the meeting, participants were consulted on the steps taken within the scope of the project and the activities planned for the coming period, and it was stressed that cooperation should be strengthened. The Third Project Steering Committee Meeting is planned to be organised in February next year.