Erasmus+ supports teachers too | EEAS

Yeliz Sevim, the Project Coordinator of Belen District Governorship, is quite proud of the Urban Green project within the scope of European Union’s (EU) Erasmus+ Small Scale Partnerships for youth. The Governorship carried out the project in cooperation with the Association of Mother Flower from Slovakia and the Association of Romiscare from Romania.

They focussed on environment and biodiversity. Sevim says:“We introduced each other to different animal species, plant species and environmental good practices. For example, we observed bees making honey in the garden of the Presidential Palace in Bratislava. I was shocked, and I liked the fact that public institutions supported such a project.”

Getting information about the Urban Bees Project in Bratislava

English teacher Serpil Akgün, one of the project participants, says that besides biodiversity projects in partner countries, they also examined the measures taken against climate change. Class teacher Hatice Hilal Aşık states that they experienced in person the work within the scope of sample projects. The participants are satisfied with both the project and their study visits. “It was a good experience for us,” says English teacher Nilay Yüksel.

The Urban Green 

During the first stage of the project, the participants visited Gölbaşı Lake, which hosts 185 different bird species in Hatay, the endangered mountain gazelles in Kırıkhan district, the loggerhead sea turtles in Samandağ district, wind power generation facilities in Belen and the “Plant Museum” in Hatay EXPO area.

Yeliz Sevim, Nilay Yüksel, Serpil Akgün, and Hatice Hilal Aşık

In the second phase, in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, nature-friendly works in the garden of the Presidential Palace were examined. The Urban Bees project in the garden of the Presidential Palace, the Danube River, home to protected bird species, and the urban farm “Vegget microfarm” were visited.

The last stop was in Romania. The team visited the Green Mogo Energy Training and Advice Centre and the non-governmental organisations EfdeN and Agent Green where they received information about sustainable and green buildings and countering deforestation. Following the trips, a booklet of good practices in these three countries was prepared and distributed free of charge to young people.

Nearly 400 teachers and students have benefited from the Erasmus+ projects of Belen District Governorship in the last ten years.

What is the Erasmus+ programme?

Erasmus+ is generally known as the student exchange programme, but this major EU grant programme is wider and covers the fields of education, training, youth and sport. The 2021-2027 programme places a strong focus on social inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life. Collaborations between institutions are supported.

Photos by Erdem Kırım

Erasmus+ touches young people’s lives

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