Mersin Green Transformation Center conducted its first training activity.

Agriculture and Food Sector Focused European Union Green Deal Compliance Training was organized for representatives of the agriculture and food sector affected by the climate crisis at the Mersin Green Transformation Center. The Mersin Green Transformation Center, established under the Climate Change and Zero Waste Department Presidency of Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, held its first meeting. The center, which aims to be a significant focus on the green economy for sectors in Mersin and the region, brought together representatives of agriculture and food sectors affected by the climate crisis and organized a training session. The training was conducted by Prof. Dr. Burcu Yavuz Tiftikçigil, Vice Rector of Istanbul Kültür University.
All internal and external stakeholders came together for the Green Transformation Center. Dr. Kemal Zorlu, the Head of the Climate Change and Zero Waste Department, stated that they established the Green Transformation Center as a framework in the municipality’s efforts related to climate change, emphasizing that it is a center where activities on climate change and the environment are carried out. Zorlu mentioned that they recently started the establishment studies of the center, and so far they have held one internal stakeholder meeting and one external stakeholder meeting. He expressed that a perspective of ‘climate-friendly’ was aimed to be adopted in the production of projects and a consciousness-raising activity was carried out.
Zorlu highlighted that one of the most important actors among the stakeholders in the city is the Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MTSO). He stated that they worked together with the MTSO for the organization of production sectors in terms of green transformation and for providing awareness activities. Zorlu also mentioned that the Local Governance Resilience Project (RESLOG), which they cooperated with during the establishment phase of the Green Transformation Center, supported them. He said that the RESLOG team brought an expert from Sweden during the establishment phase of the Green Transformation Center and provided information on foreign examples.
Zorlu stated that they conducted the first training activity of the Mersin Green Transformation Center at the MTSO, where they provided training and raised awareness on green transformation, European Green Deal, Border Carbon Adjustment, Emission Trading System for representatives of the agriculture and food sector, which is a vulnerable group most affected by climate change and the increasing global average temperature. He mentioned that they will continue to carry out such activities.
Çiğdem Ayşenur Atasoy, the National Project Coordinator of the Local Governance Resilience Project (RESLOG-Turkey), mentioned that they implemented a series of projects in 2018 to support local governments. She stated that they work to provide capacity support in the areas of planning and urban resilience, especially for cities hosting Syrian migration. Atasoy noted that they have been working with Mersin Metropolitan Municipality since 2019, providing capacity support to municipalities affected by migration. She also mentioned that they are currently working on local economic development with the Climate Change and Zero Waste Department.
Atasoy explained that they provided training for companies operating in Mersin to prepare them for green deal processes. Food and agriculture sector representatives came together for this purpose.