ECOUNITY DAYS in Türkiye Strengthen University-NGO Ties for a Greener Future
The ECOUNITY project recently reached a significant milestone in Turkey with the successful completion of “ECOUNITY DAYS,” a two-part multiplier event hosted by Mellis Eğitim Teknoloji in collaboration with Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (ÇOMÜ). The events, held on December 18, 2025, and January 17, 2026, brought together a total of 70 participants to promote sustainable green development and institutionalize environmental cooperation.
The first session took place at İzmir Democracy University’s Faculty of Financial and Administrative Sciences. Attended by 46 undergraduate students and 9 academics, the day featured high levels of interaction regarding the project’s digital outputs. Assoc. Prof. Dr Erdal Eroğlu delivered a keynote on the “Green Transformation in University Campuses,” revealing that the ECOUNITY project has already led to the establishment of a dedicated Green Transformation Coordination Office at ÇOMÜ to promote sustainable activities on campus.
The second session was held at the Türkan Saylan Municipal Community Facility in Çanakkale, focusing specifically on external stakeholders. This event included representatives from 13 NGOs, local municipalities, and educational technology organisations besides ÇOMÜ and MELLIS representatives. Discussions centered on how higher education institutions can act as a bridge to civil society, with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Didem Saygın explaining the established mechanisms for university-local actor interactions.
A central highlight of both events was the demonstration of the ECOUNITY e-learning platform by Elif Anda. Participants were given a tour of the platform’s modular curriculum, which includes interactive animations, expert talks, and quizzes designed to enhance green competencies. Dr. Kendal Deniz also shared qualitative and quantitative findings from the project’s surveys and focus groups, providing participants with evidence-based insights into current environmental awareness levels. Building Enthusiastic PartnershipsThe events concluded with energetic Q&A sessions where students inquired about volunteering opportunities, and NGO representatives discussed how to make their voices more heard within university administrations. The impact of the event was immediate, with the Kale Youth Association expressing interest in becoming a project partner and TEMA Foundation representatives pledging support as associated partners for future sustainability initiatives.
By bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical civic engagement, ECOUNITY DAYS has successfully empowered a new network of “agents of change” across Türkiye’s academic and social landscapes.
