24.12.2025

The EU Funding Opportunities Information and Networking Event was organized under the coordination of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Foreign Relations Department and held on 24 December 2025 at the ISKI General Directorate Yusuf Ziya Erdem Conference Hall.

The event brought together representatives from IMM units, local governments, universities, and non governmental organizations (NGOs). The main aim was to increase the capacity of institutions to benefit from European Union funding opportunities and to strengthen multi stakeholder cooperation.

Opening speeches were delivered by Barbaros Büyüksağnak, Head of IMM Foreign Relations Department, and Mustafa Osman Turan, Advisor to the IMM Mayor. Both speakers highlighted the strategic importance of EU funds for local governments and the need to develop national and international cooperation.

During the programme, presentations were given by Ayşe Deniz Arıcan, EU Affairs Expert from the Directorate for EU Affairs Istanbul Representation, who shared information on Turkey EU financial cooperation mechanisms, Cross Border Cooperation Programmes, and Union Programmes; Arzu İpek Yılmaz, National Contact Point for Horizon Europe Cluster 5, who provided information about funding opportunities for municipalities, universities, and NGOs; Ömer Hantal, EIT Turkey Community Director, who presented on EIT programmes and the EIT Higher Education Initiative calls; and Duygu Kayaalp, EIT Urban Mobility RIS Hub Turkey Representative, who provided insights into funding and support mechanisms in the sustainable urban mobility field.

At the final part of the event, the panel titled “Experiences in Effectively Utilizing Funds in Local Governments” was held under the moderation of Mr. Dr. Ali Doğanay, the Director of EU Relations Directorate at Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM). The panel included Mr. Elvin Öksöz Bayazıt from the IMM Climate Change Directorate, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ebru Tekin Bilbil from Özyeğin University, Engin Işıltan, Secretary General of the Association of Environmentally Friendly Green Buildings (ÇEDBİK), and Mr. Dr. Bahadır Şaşmaz, Responsible for EU and Foreign Relations at Kartal Municipality. The discussion focused on projects implemented through EU funds, the challenges faced, good practice examples, and opportunities for inter-institutional collaboration.

The event concluded with a Q&A and networking session, promoting experience sharing among participants and creating opportunities for new project partnerships