Status: Completed

Project duration: December 2022- August 2023

Challenge

Gediz Delta is one of the most important wetlands in the Mediterranean Basin with its biological diversity. Although it has national and international protection status, it faces many threats, especially construction, as it is in the metropolis of Izmir, whose population exceeds 4 million.

Solution

Gediz Delta is one of Turkey’s 14 Ramsar sites of international importance. To ensure the sustainable management of the Delta, the project aims to increase the awareness of the people of Izmir, local decision-makers, and local civil society on its importance. Another goal of the project is to ensure the participation and engagement of civil society and experts in the delta’s management mechanisms.

Activities

• Reaching the children and youth of the Gediz Delta
• Educational activities with children, youth and educators.
• Increase the capacity of NGOs to engage in delta decision-making mechanisms.
• An increasing number of NGOs and experts will contribute to managing the delta.

Project’s deliverables

• Different NGOs, especially those working on food production in the delta, monitor and defend the Gediz Delta.
• Engagement of local civil society organizations in decision-making processes for the sustainable use of the Gediz Delta.

Update May 2023: The film is now ready and available to watch below. Please view and share it to help raise awareness about the importance of the Gediz Delta in the region.

Update June 2023: Discover the intriguing history of the Gediz Delta, explore its vital ecological significance, learn about its diverse species, and more. Read the report here.

About the organisation: Doga Association – Doga Dernegi is a non-profit organization in Turkey that works to conserve the country’s natural resources. The association is a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and partners with BirdLife International in Turkey. Doga Association works with thousands of members and volunteers to protect the diverse life in Turkey. It introduced the “Key Biodiversity Areas” method and published the book “Key Biodiversity Areas of Turkey” in 2006. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has adopted this methodology as the international standard for the designation of protected areas.