Resident Representative Monica Merino reiterates UNDP’s strong commitment to improve waste management, provide vocational training and job opportunities for women and youth, and support rural development and sustainable tourism in Izmir

Ms. Monica Merino, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Türkiye made an official visit to Izmir on 17-21 December 2024. 

Meeting with UNDP’s partners, provincial and local authorities, Merino held productive dialogues on UNDP's ongoing initiatives in Izmir, current needs and future cooperation opportunities. Official meetings with the Governor of Izmir Dr. Süleyman Elban, Mayor of Izmir Dr. Cemil Tugay, Mayor of Konak district of Izmir Nilüfer Çınarlı Mutlu, Mayor of Ödemiş district of Izmir Mustafa Turan and District Governor of Ödemiş Fatih Aksoy were held.

During the courtesy visit to Konak Municipality, Merino attended a handover ceremony for a mobile zero waste collection vehicle and 10 waste picking electric tricycles. These vehicles were delivered as part of the “Social Cohesion through Inclusive Zero-Waste” project aiming to strengthen waste management systems and social cohesion by focusing on zero waste. UNDP implements this initiative in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change with the financial support of the U.S. Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (USBPRM). 

Merino also attended a certification ceremony organized for the Roma youth who attended comprehensive vocational training as part of the “Creating A New Local Model for Employment of Roma Youth” project. As part of the initiative, Roma youth living in Konak district received vocational training in sectors with high demand in the private sector such as textile, nail prosthetics, MIG welding, machine maintenance and repair, private security, and pastry assistantship. UNDP’s project aims to increase the workforce participation of Roma youth at the local level. During her visit, Merino also visited the Roma Culture Center of Konak Municipality to meet staff and social workers, appreciate their collaborations, and discuss the progress achieved. 

Merino also visited the participants attending a Canva training in Ulamış, provided as part of the “Villages of Tomorrow” project implemented by UNDP and Trendyol. A new digital center was opened in May 2024 in Ulamış, a village in the Seferihisar district of Izmir. Villages of Tomorrow equips participating villages with a host of digital tools, technologies and training to expand markets for local products, and promote “smart” agriculture to improve yields and reduce costs.

Merino’s next stop was the Digital Youth Center that will be opened within UNDP’s “Today’s Youth, Future Jobs” project aiming to equip youth with digital skills for tomorrow’s jobs. As part of this project funded by the European Union, UNDP and the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye will establish vocational training centers across 45 provinces in Türkiye.

Merino also visited the SENTRUM Project Office in Birgi. SENTRUM – "Sustainable Energy Based Tourism Implementation Center" – initiative implemented in the historical village of Birgi in the Ödemiş district of Izmir aims to transform destinations through energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable tourism practices. In January 2024, as part of the joint efforts led by UNDP, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency and Enerjisa, Birgi was selected to be transformed into a sustainable green destination.

UNDP will continue to collaborate with the inclusive and sustainable development efforts in Izmir, focusing on providing vocational training and improving access to decent job opportunities for vulnerable groups, promoting inclusive and participatory zero waste practices and building sustainable tourism models, among others.