Status: Completed

Project Duration: January 2023- August 2023

Challenge

Gökçeada, the biggest island in Turkey and the 4^th largest water reserve in the world that is relatively well preserved and has the potential to be self-sufficient through not only its water preservation, soil fertility, biological diversity, and climate but also its social, cultural and historical wealth. However, due to the policies towards short-term profit investments, the equity of the island has been used inefficiently and unconsciously. This situation has damaged Gökçeada’s sea, rich drinkable water source, the soil, habitat and species, and socio-cultural wealth.

Solution

The project’s main objective is to increase the capacity and knowledge of the local community, environmentally conscious business owners, local government agencies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) regarding the environmental sustainability of Gökçeada. As a result, these groups will be able to develop small scale impacting projects to safeguard for the environmental sustainability of the island.

Project’s deliverables

• Conduct ecological awareness workshops, coastal cleaning sessions, and upcycling workshops for women to raise awareness about their individual and household impact.
• Conduct capacity-building workshops to help NGOs replicate and further implement the project’s aims and outcomes.
• Prepare and disseminate quarterly plastic pollution status reports based on the data through communication tools such as the website, social media, and billboards in Gökçeada.
• Implement an awareness-raising campaign focused on environmental protection and waste management in Gökçeada.

Impact

In addition to the adaptation, institutions and organizations who want to carry out similar works/projects, local organizations will be given the possibility to be supported through their own initiatives. The projects will become a model by different institutions to guide and create funds to the relevant institutions. This will create a multiplier effect in the fields of social and environmental sustainability in the island and elsewhere in Mediterranean and Aegean.

About the organisation: Impact Circles Foundation etablished in 2022, the foundation’s team comprised of experienced professionals in the field of sustainable development, environment, and co-management of natural resources.