Representatives from government, the private sector, civil society, academia and international organizations came together in Ankara to share experiences and solutions on climate change adaptation.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced the completion of the project it has carried out since 2019 to strengthen Türkiye’s capacity for climate change adaptation through a wide range of activities spanning from national policies to local action plans. The €9 million project was co-financed by the Republic of Türkiye and the European Union, and implemented by UNDP Türkiye in cooperation with the Directorate of Climate Change under the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.

Over six years, the project reached more than 11,000 people through awareness-raising trainings in 20 provinces and conferences in 7 provinces, bringing together stakeholders from government institutions, municipalities, development agencies, universities, chambers, professional organizations and civil society.

In the pilot provinces of Muğla, Konya, Samsun and Sakarya, Local Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Action Plans (YUSEPs) were prepared to serve as roadmaps for the 2025–2030 period. These plans cover 11 sectors, including urbanization, water resources management, agriculture and food security, biodiversity and ecosystem services, public health, energy, industry, tourism and cultural heritage, transportation and communication, social development and disaster risk reduction. At the national level, the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan (2024–2030) was also finalized.

The project also fostered international knowledge exchange. Study visits to Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany facilitated experience-sharing on climate adaptation finance, governance and sectoral adaptation, enriching Türkiye’s adaptation process with global best practices. In addition, training modules, awareness-raising and educational videos were produced as lasting capacity-building tools. Covering themes such as climate modelling and scenarios, adaptation finance strategies, public awareness and transformational adaptation, these tools have strengthened stakeholders’ knowledge and expertise in climate change adaptation. 

To foster on-the-ground action, a Climate Change Adaptation Grant Programme was also launched under the project, supporting 29 initiatives across 16 provinces. These projects continue to deliver innovative solutions to climate change adaptation in different regions of Türkiye.

Aiming to strengthen Türkiye’s climate policies, the project contributed to enhancing awareness at both the sectoral and urban level, supported the development of effective strategies by reinforcing institutional and technical capacities, and provided a platform for international cooperation. Acting as a bridge from local to national and from national to international levels, the project made tangible contributions toward a more resilient and sustainable future.