Status: Completed

Project Duration: May 2024- March 2025   

Challenge

The Asi River Delta and Samandağ coastline, vital ecological zones in Antakya, face significant environmental threats exacerbated by the aftermath of an earthquake. Development and construction activities continue, disregarding the city’s ecological and geological characteristics, resulting in the illegal dumping of rubble in crucial natural areas, such as the Mileyha Wetland and Samandağ dunes. This destruction impacts local ecosystems and biodiversity and escalates risks such as landslides and floods in areas prone to seismic activity. 

 Solution

The project aims to create an environmental plan in collaboration with local authorities, communities, and civil society organisations to protect the Asi River Delta and Samandağ coastline post-earthquake and rebuild them in a disaster-resilient manner. Through a participatory approach, the project will develop a vision plan by reviewing the Hatay Province Environmental Plan and incorporating local knowledge and expertise. This plan will be disseminated through various channels, including digital and print formats, social media campaigns, and short videos, to raise awareness and engage a broad audience in reconstructing Antakya as an environmentally friendly city. 

Impact Summary May 2025

With the completion of the project, we have successfully achieved all our goals and surpassed the original objectives.

• As a culmination of this work, the first-ever civil society-led environmental vision for the region was published — a significant step in Antakya’s long-term ecological recovery. 👉 Read the report here! 
• The project’s short films, which focus on environmental and social issues in Samandağ–Antakya, were also released on YouTube to broaden public awareness and engagement. 🎥  Watch six of the short documentaries here

About the organisation: The Antakya Environmental Protection Association raises awareness about environmental issues in the region, promotes environmentally responsible practices, and works to preserve the region’s natural heritage. 

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