Water Ambassadors Compete in Orienteering Event
The first round of Orienteering Competitions under the EU-funded “Water Ambassadors Education and Awareness-Raising Technical Assistance Project” took place on Saturday, 8 July 2017 in Köyceğiz, Muğla. The project aims to raise public awareness on the protection of the environment and water resources.
Implemented through the partnership of the Ministry of National Education, the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSİ), and TRT, and financed jointly by the European Union and the Republic of Türkiye, the orienteering series will continue in different regions: Konya-Beyşehir in August, Trabzon-Uzungöl in September, and Ankara in October.
Competitive Spirit Meets Environmental Awareness
Organized in collaboration with the Turkish Orienteering Federation, the Köyceğiz competition took place around the scenic Köyceğiz Lake. Before the start, participants were briefed about the racecourse and the rules. The event featured five age-based categories for participants aged 12 and above, with separate races for men and women. Awards were presented to the winners in each category following the races.
Encouraging Teamwork, Nature Connection, and Environmental Responsibility
The Orienteering Competitions aim to engage the project’s main target audiences — secondary school and university students, young people, and families — in joint outdoor activities. Participants, especially those from urban areas, were given the opportunity to reconnect with nature while learning about sustainable water use and environmental protection.
Through these competitions, the project seeks to enhance the environmental and water awareness of Water Ambassadors and potential Water Ambassadors, while also fostering self-confidence, motivation, and teamwork skills. The activity further encourages participants to focus on their goals and adopt a disciplined approach to achieving them — mirroring the project’s broader mission of promoting sustainable and conscious water management across Türkiye.
