Under the auspices of UCLG-MEWA, a collaborative effort between UCLG-MEWA and Gebze Municipality led to a comprehensive series of meetings and on-site visits. This initiative took place on January 9, 2024, encompassing visits to both Istanbul Pendik Municipality and Istanbul Sultanbeyli Municipality.
As part of the organized meetings and field visits aimed at enhancing collaboration among UCLG-MEWA members, the Pendik Municipality Project Office and the Sultanbeyli Municipality Digital Transformation and Competence Development Center were explored. The sessions facilitated the convergence of three district municipalities, fostering the exchange of insights into their endeavors related to employment, youth initiatives, and various projects.
During the visit to the Pendik Municipality Project Office, the Pendik Municipality Foreign Relations Directorate, highlighted the Istanbul Development Agency’s (İSTKA) initiative aimed at cultivating skilled professionals and facilitating employment opportunities within the industry and service sectors. She emphasized that development agencies like İSTKA are pivotal in conducting comprehensive regional planning.
Additionally, it was mentioned that the project team at Pendik Municipality demonstrates a keen interest in diverse subjects, having successfully executed national and international projects since 2006. Notably, they have secured grants for 58 projects, showcasing their commitment to fostering development and innovation.
During the visit to the Sultanbeyli Municipality Digital Transformation Office, the Sultanbeyli Municipality Strategy Development Directorate delivered a presentation outlining the roadmap implemented in national and international projects.
During the presentation, it was highlighted that the unit’s primary objective is to bolster institutional development within the municipality. The overarching vision is geared towards guiding various units. The outlined work areas encompass strategic management, statistical office, research and reporting, project development and writing, promotion and dissemination of projects, sustainable office, good governance office, and preservation of cultural heritage.
Mehmet Aktaş, the Director of Strategy Development at Sultanbeyli Municipality, proudly announced that their municipality took the lead in crafting the inaugural Voluntary Local Assessment (VLR) report within the MEWA Region. He emphasized that they incorporated the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into this groundbreaking report.