Children Become “Water Ambassadors”
The opening ceremony of the “Water Ambassadors Education and Awareness Raising Technical Assistance Project”, financed by the European Union and the Republic of Türkiye, was held on 22 February 2017 at the Ankara Hilton Hotel with broad participation. The project, implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education, the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSİ), and TRT, is supported by the technical assistance of WYG Türkiye.
The event was attended by Faruk Cengiz Tekindağ (General Manager, WYG Türkiye), Gabriel Munuera Vinals (Deputy Head of Delegation, EU Delegation to Türkiye), Orhan Erdem (Deputy Minister of National Education), Akif Özkaldı (Undersecretary, Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs), and Prof. Dr. Mustafa Öztürk (Undersecretary, Ministry of Environment and Urbanization).
Raising Awareness on Water Conservation
The project is being piloted in the Western Mediterranean Basin, the Konya Closed Basin, and the Eastern Black Sea Basin, with coordination based in Ankara. Its core aim is to contribute to the protection of the environment, pollution prevention, and the sustainable use of water resources in Türkiye.
Through education and communication activities, the project seeks to increase public awareness of environmental protection and the efficient use of water. In particular, it focuses on educating children and young people as “Water Ambassadors,” fostering knowledge, responsibility, and behavioral change in water conservation.
Engaging the Public Through Education and Media
Awareness-raising efforts are carried out via both media and educational channels. The project includes interactive learning modules, campaigns, and creative communication tools designed to help children and youth understand water sustainability. Additionally, the institutional capacity of stakeholder organizations will be enhanced through specialized training activities.
Within the three pilot basins, approximately 40,000 individuals will be reached through educational programs and public campaigns. Furthermore, national and international communication initiatives will be launched to promote water efficiency and environmental awareness.
Educating the Next Generation
The project’s primary target groups include primary school students, university students, teachers, mothers, and young people. By nurturing environmentally conscious habits at an early age, the initiative aspires to cultivate a new generation of “Water Ambassadors” dedicated to protecting natural resources.
Launched in January 2017, the project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2017.
