Mardin Artuklu University has taken an important step towards raising the youth’s environmental awareness with the first “Youth Engagement project supported within the scope of European Union Erasmus+ Program 2021-2027 period. The project titled “The Water You Save Is Your Future. Take Action Before It’s Too Late!” was launched between 8 and 11 July in Elazığ.

This significant youth project with Erasmus+ 2024-3-TR01-KA154-YOU-000272738 number is coordinated by Mardin Artuklu University in partnership with the Fırat University, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University and Mardin Governorship.

The opening program on 8^th July draw a great deal of attention. The ceremony was notably attended by Prof. Dr. Reşit YILDIZ, Vice Rector of Mardin Artuklu Univrsiy, Project Coordinator Lect. Hanife YEŞİLYURT, Youth Team Leader Ali CEYLAN, Vice Rector of Fırat University Prof. Dr. Mehmet YILMAZ, Head of Internetional Relations Prof. Dr. İzzet TAŞAR and Director of Continuing Education Center Prof. Dr. İlyas SOMUNKIRAN along with many academicians and youth workers.

In opening speeches, the role of the youth in environmental sustainability is especially emphasized. The program was continued with the cutting of the project cake and the consultation meeting with the participants.

While Prof. Dr. Gökhan ÖZBEY from Fırat University and Asst. Prof. Alaeddin TÜRKMEN from Hatay Mustafa Kemal University attended the project as partner institution coordinators, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sonyel OFLAZOĞLU DORA had a role in the project trainings.

In the Mardin Artuklu University project team, besides Lect. Hanife YEŞİLYURT, Lect. İrem KARAMIK KAYA and Res. Asst. Ebru OSKALOĞLU took an active role.

The project, which aims at contributing to the title “Clean Water and Sanitation”, being one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, aims at raising awareness of youth towards crucial topics such as climate change, water and environmental stress. Within the scope of the project, youth are encouraged to take active roles in the decision making process and policy recommendations regarding these crucial fields. To train youth as “Water and Environment Ambassadors” is also one of the main goals of the project.

Throughout the event, workshops, informational sessions, field applications, and icebreaker activities will be organized with the aim of increasing participants' environmental awareness.

Additionally, in the evening preceding the opening program, 7^th July, a documentary screening was presented to the participants to raise awareness on water conservation.

Shaped around the theme of “Environment and Climate”, this innovative youth project aims to increase the capacity of youth to contribution to the local and global environmental policies. The project’s second implementation activity will take place in Hatay; and the final summit will be hosted by Mardin Artuklu University.