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In 2020, YUVA launched the Environmental Literacy Networking Project in partnership with Kyoto Club (Italy). Within the scope of the project funded by the European Union, we established Environmental Literacy Network (ELN) with the participation of civil society organizations and local governments from Türkiye and the EU. ELN has more than 80 members and continues to add new members.

ELN aims to strengthen the cooperation of non-governmental organizations and local governments from Türkiye and the European Union in the field of environmental education and thus contribute to the increase of “globally literate” individuals who can look critically at nature and human relations, develop ideas for solving these problems, and exhibit responsible behavior and understanding within this framework.

Environmental Literacy Networking Project is a project implemented by Yuva Association (Türkiye) and Kyoto Club (Italy) within the scope of the European Union Civil Society Facility and Media – Networks and Platforms Support Program within the Framework of Civil Society. Networks and Platforms Support Program within the Framework of Civil Society aims to develop an active civil society and strengthen active citizenship and civil society by encouraging more active democratic participation in policy and decision-making processes, fundamental rights, and a culture of dialogue.

What Do We Do at ELN?

As ELN members, we organize Climate Literacy and Sustainability, and Ecological Literacy training for children and adults. We have established a team of trainers to carry out these training and our team is gradually growing with the training we organize at intervals.

We organize capacity-building workshops for our member organizations. So far, we have organized workshops on Financial Sustainability and Fundraising, Monitoring and Evaluation, Campaigning and Communication, and Advocacy. In addition to these, we come together in network meetings to talk about civil society and the ecology, climate, and sustainability agenda, share experiences, and generate ideas.

Together, we carry out advocacy activities to expand environmental education in both formal and non-formal education in Türkiye.

Who Can Participate in ELN?

ELN is open to all associations, foundations, civil society networks and platforms, professional organizations, city councils and local governments that organize training and awareness raising activities in the field of environment and climate change or work in areas that can contribute to the content of these trainings and support the purpose of establishing ELN.

Click here to join the Environmental Literacy Network

Project Details

ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY NETWORKING PROJECT

Environmental Literacy Networking Project is a project implemented by Yuva Association (Türkiye) and Kyoto Club (Italy) within the scope of the European Union Civil Society Facility and Media – Networks and Platforms Support Program within the Framework of Civil Society.

The project aims to strengthen cooperation in the field of environmental education by establishing a communication network with the participation of civil society organizations from Türkiye and the EU (mainly Italy and Belgium), to share knowledge, experience, and resources to contribute to awareness-raising through training and to carry out advocacy activities in the field of environmental education. The project started on January 1, 2020, and the implementation period is three years and nine months.

European Union Civil Society Facility and Media – Networks and Platforms Support Program aims to develop an active civil society by promoting more active democratic participation in policy and decision-making processes, fundamental rights, and a culture of dialogue and to strengthen active citizenship and civil society. The European Union finances it under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance II (IPA II).

ELN Members

Ali Ismail Korkmaz Foundation (Hatay)
Ali Nihat Gökyiğit Foundation / Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden (Istanbul)
Amodo (Italy)
Another School is Possible (Istanbul)
Association of Lawyers for Universal Rights (Mersin)
Asociación Biodiversa (Gijón, Asturias/Spain)
Atölye Deneme Art and Ecological Studies Association (Izmir)
Balıkesir Sustainable Development and Environment Association (Balıkesir)
Bambu Association (Ankara)
Bandırma City Council (Balıkesir)
Bayraklı Municipality (Izmir)
Buca Municipality (Izmir)
Buğday Association for Supporting Ecological Living (Istanbul)
Caraco (Bologna/Italy)
Canakkale Koza Youth Association (Canakkale)
CEFA (Bologna/Italy)
Circle Up (Istanbul)
Climate Pioneers (Istanbul)
Community Volunteers Foundation (Istanbul)
Comune di Foiano di Val Fortore (Sannio/Italy)
Consumers Protection Association (Balıkesir)
Cukurova Young Entrepreneur Business People Association (Mersin)
Cukurova Human Seed Soil Workshops (Mersin-Adana)
Edremit Municipality (Balikesir)
Environment, Urban and Regional Development Research and Application Center (Erzincan)
Federcanapa (Roma/Italy)
Four Seasons Lifelong Play and Learning Association (Izmir)
Green Association (Bulgaria)
Green Circle (Berlin)
Green Future Association (Istanbul)
Green University - Bologna Green University (Bologna/Italy)
Gümçed Bandirma Branch (Bursa)
Hacettepe Environment Community (Ankara)
Health and Climate Change Association (Ankara)
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Department of Social Projects (Izmir)
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Climate Change and Clean Energy Branch Directorate (Izmir)
İmece Network (Istanbul - Londra)
Kazdağı Association for the Protection of Natural and Cultural Heritage (Canakkale)
K-GEM Women and Young Enterprise Center Association (Ankara)
Kyoto Club (Rome/Italy)
Kilowatt (Bologna/Italy)
Legambiente (Roma/Italy)
NATURA Nature and Culture Conservation Association (Ankara)
Nature and Sustainability Association (Ankara)
Natural Life Association (Ankara)
METU Green Campus Community (Ankara)
Mezitli City Council (Mersin)
Mikado Sustainable Development Consulting (Istanbul)
Ören-Adramytteion Ancient City Culture Tourism and Nature Association (Balıkesir)
ReSoil Foundation (Bologna/Italy)
Sbilanciamoci! (Rome/Italy)
Scambieuropei (Bologna/Italy)
Share the Future Civil Initiative (Izmir)
Social Climate Association (Izmir)
Support to Life Association (Istanbul)
Sustainable Development and Entrepreneurship Association (Izmir)
SUYADER (Ankara)
Roots and Shoots Türkiye (İstanbul)
Teacher Academy Foundation (Istanbul)
TEDGA - Association for the Development, Research and Monitoring of Social and Ecological Dialogues (Ankara)
Troya Environment Association (Canakkale)
Tohum Education, Culture and Nature Association (Ankara)
Turkish Environmental Education Foundation (Ankara)
Turkish Society of Plumbing Engineers (TTMD)
Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects Chamber of Physics Engineers (Ankara)
Village Schools Exchange Network (Istanbul)
ViviVejo (Roma/Italy)
Volunteers Center Skopje (Skopje/Macedonia)
Waste-Free Love (Istanbul)
World Live Association (Ankara)
WWF Türkiye (Istanbul)
Yaren Cooperative (Izmir)
Young Development and Initiative Association (Sakarya)
Youth Beyond Borders Association-YOBBA (Istanbul)
Youth Services Center (Ankara)
Youthographia (Eskisehir)
YUVA (Istanbul)
Yuvam Dünya Association (Istanbul)

Project Activities

PROJECT ACTIVITIES

The project includes the following activities:

  • A kick-off conference to introduce the project,
  • Establishment of ELN with civil society organizations that responded to the call for participation,
  • Institutional capacity building workshops consisting of four separate sessions, each with the participation of 35 people,
  • Developing the programs and contents of Sustainability and Ecological Literacy and Climate Literacy trainings for two different target groups: young adults and children,
  • Four “Global Literacy” Trainings for Trainers, each with the participation of 24 volunteers,
  • The capacity building workshops on communication and campaigning will consist of four separate sessions, each with the participation of 35 people,
  • 53 Global Literacy Dissemination Trainings to be organized in different provinces of Turkey with the participation of 960 people in total,
  • Social media campaigns and production of an animation to raise environmental awareness for children,
  • The capacity building workshops on advocacy will consist of four separate sessions, each with the participation of 35 people,
  • Organization of three study visits aimed at observing institutions and good practices in different cities in the European Union.

Project News

Environmental Literacy Networking Project Training Programs:

Environmental Literacy Trainer Trainings

Environmental Literacy Trainer Training

Program Objective: 

The aim of the training of trainers is to create a pool of trainers for the “Sustainability and Ecological Literacy” and “Climate Literacy” dissemination trainings organized within the scope of the project. Representatives of ELN member organizations (members, employees, volunteers, etc.) can participate in this training, where the most up-to-date scientific information on sustainability, ecological literacy and climate literacy is shared for five days, the programs to be used in dissemination trainings are transferred practically and the communication skills of the trainer candidates on these issues are supported. After the technical process is completed in five days, knowledge and experience sharing continues through regular meetings with trainers added to the ELN trainer pool. The dissemination trainings held during the project are carried out with the participation of trainers from the ELN trainer pool and an expert from the YUVA Learning Center team.

Since the beginning of the project, we have conducted four trainings of trainers, two online and two face-to-face. A total of 89 people participated in the trainings of trainers. Together with our trainers, we have delivered our trainings to more than 1000 young adults (18-35 years old) and children (13-17 years old).

Environmental Literacy Trainings for Adults

Sustainability and Ecological Literacy

Program Objective: 

Participants with this training,

  • Learn about the impact of human lifestyle on the planet and realize the importance of sustainability for all living things to live a fair life on earth,
  • Questioning the consequences of their actions in their daily lives and transforming them,
  • It is aimed to support them to have a hopeful, optimistic, realistic and constructive perspective despite all negative developments.

Target Audience: 18+

Duration of the Training: 4 hours

Program:

  • Opening and Introductions
  • Expectations and Program Sharing
  • Session 1: Hello Earthl(ing)
  • Session 2: Our Path Without a Trace
  • Session 3: Where Do I Stand?
  • Written Evaluation and Closing

Climate Literacy

Participants with this training,

  • Recognize how human activities affect the climate and the impact of climate change on the planet, ecosystems and people/societies and its possible future impacts,
  • To learn the importance of limiting the increase in global temperature to 1.5 °C in the fight against climate change and what needs to be done on a global scale in the fight against climate change,
  • It is aimed to support them to know that their actions in their daily lives leave a carbon footprint on the planet and to make conscious decisions in this direction.

Target Audience: 18+

Duration of the Training: 4 hours

Program:

  • Opening and Introductions
  • Expectations and Program Sharing
  • Session 1: Voices of Climate
  • Session 2: Climate News
  • Session 3: For Climate, Now!
  • Written Evaluation and Closing

Environmental Literacy Trainings for Children

Sustainability and Ecological Literacy

Program Objective: 

With this training, children will be engaged in various games and activities,

  • Develop critical thinking skills about the relationship between human beings and nature,
  • To learn about the life support systems that shape the functioning of the Earth and their limits,
  • It is aimed to help them understand the impact of their daily actions on the planet and to realize the individual steps they can take to be a part of the solution.

Target Audience: 13-17 years old

Duration of Training: 3.5 hours

Program:

  • Session 1. My Ecological Literacy
  • Session 2: Nature and Man
  • Session 3: Planetary Boundaries
  • Session 4: Our Ecological Handprint
  • Written Evaluation and Closing

Climate Literacy

Program Objective:

With this training, children will be engaged in various games and activities,

  • To learn the basic components of the climate system and climate change,
  • Acquire critical thinking skills on the knock-on effects of climate change,
  • It is aimed to develop the ability to identify a list of intentions/action plan to be a partner in the solution.

Target Audience: 13-17 years old

Duration of Training: 3.5 hours

Program:

  • Session 1. My Climate Literacy
  • Session 2: Climate 101
  • Session 3: The knock-on effect on climate
  • Session 4: Take Action for Climate!
  • Written Evaluation and Closing

OPENING CONFERENCE Following the launch of our project, we organized an inaugural conference on July 1, 2020 and established the Environmental Literacy Network (ELN). After the conference, which was held as a webinar due to the pandemic, we met with the first ELN members at a network launch and introduction meeting on August 13, 2020.

CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOPS: We identified the needs of network member organizations and organized four workshops based on these needs. These workshops covered financial sustainability and monitoring, evaluation and social impact and were held in September and October 2020 respectively.

DISSEMINATION TRAININGS: We have finalized the environmental training curriculum with the suggestions of network member organizations. Our training curriculum consists of two dissemination training modules: Climate Literacy and Sustainability and Ecological Literacy. In November and December 2020, we organized five online dissemination trainings and reached 88 young adults.

TRAINER TRAINING: On 16-17-18 December and 23-24 December 2020, we organized an online training of trainers for environmental literacy trainings with the participation of 23 ELN member organization representatives.

CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOPS AND ELN MEETUPS: In 2021, we held capacity building workshops on campaigning and communication. We repeated the workshops for new ELN members in November 2021. We also organized online ELN Meetups to learn more from each other as ELN members.

DISSEMINATION TRAININGS Our dissemination trainings continued at full speed in 2021. Throughout the year, we organized 11 sustainability and ecological literacy trainings and 8 climate literacy trainings, reaching 604 young adults. 98.60% of the participants who participated in the evaluation form at the end of 2021 stated that they learned new information that they could transfer to their daily lives.

TRAINER TRAINING We held the second instructor training online on December 19-23, 2021. Nineteen ELN member representatives completed the training and our pool of trainers grew.

ANIMATION CAMPAIGN In 2021, with the support of an advisory board of ELN members, we produced animated videos for children on climate change, biodiversity and environmental sustainability. In December 2021, we established an animation social media campaign working group and planned the details of our campaign. Twelve ELN organizations disseminated the videos on social media. We reached 125,473 people through all three videos.

CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOPS AND ADVOCACY WORKSHOPS: In 2022, we organized online and face-to-face advocacy capacity building workshops with ELN members. In these workshops, which were attended by experts from Türkiye and Europe, we started to write our policy recommendations for the expansion of environmental education in formal and non-formal education in Türkiye.

DISSEMINATION TRAININGS Our dissemination trainings continued in 2022, both online and face-to-face. Throughout the year, we organized 4 sustainability and ecological literacy trainings and 16 climate literacy trainings, reaching 129 young adults and 288 more children. At the end of 2022, more than 98% of the participants who participated in the evaluation form stated that they learned new information that they could transfer to their daily lives.

MUNICIPALITY TRAININGS In 2022, we started to implement our sustainability and ecological literacy and climate literacy trainings with municipalities and city councils. To date, we have reached 104 people with the trainings we organized for Buca Municipality, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Kadıköy Municipality, Yenimahalle Municipality, Bandırma City Council and Izmir Metropolitan Municipality.

TRAINER TRAINING: In June and November, we conducted two face-to-face trainings of trainers within the scope of the project. With a total of four trainings of trainers in three years, we reached 89 people and expanded our pool of trainers.

STUDY VISITS: In 2023, we organized study visits to Rome and Bologna in Italy and Brussels in Belgium with the participation of ELN member representatives. During the study visits, we held meetings with representatives of municipalities, ministries, civil society organizations, networks, cooperatives and the European Commission. As a result of these meetings, we prepared “Sustainable Development Investments and Policy Recommendations Compatible with Climate Change”, “Climate Change Adaptation Strategies” and “Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Trainings Methodology Guide” documents, in which we examined good examples and developed recommendations for Türkiye with the contributions of ELN member representatives, and disseminated them to local governments and civil society organizations.

 

DISSEMINATION TRAININGS In 2023, we organized 4 sustainability and ecological literacy trainings and 9 climate literacy trainings throughout the year, reaching 54 young adults and 261 more children. More than 72% of the participants who participated in the evaluation form at the end of 2023 stated that they learned new information that they could transfer to their daily lives.

 

 

MUNICIPALITY TRAININGS In 2023, we continued to implement our sustainability and ecological literacy and climate literacy trainings with municipalities and city councils. We reached 103 people with the trainings we organized for Çanakkale City Council, Kırklareli City Council, Kemalpaşa Municipality, Antalya Metropolitan Municipality and Maltepe Municipality.

 

ADVOCACY WORK Following online and face-to-face capacity building workshops on advocacy with ELN members, we have written the Environmental Sustainability Education Advocacy and Policy Document, which includes our recommendations for national and local authorities in Türkiye in 2023, and shared it with the authorities.

 

ENVIRONMENT FESTIVAL  As Yuva Association and ELN member institutions, we participated in the Kadıköy Environment Festival organized by Kadıköy Municipality in Selamiçeşme Özgürlük Park on June 2-4, 2023 with workshops, interviews, activities prepared for visitors to our stands and climate literacy trainings. Throughout the festival, we exhibited our Climate Museum consisting of posters with information about climate change.