12.06.2026

The “Horizon Europe Programme Information and Experience Sharing Event”, organized under the coordination of the Foreign Relations Department of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) and hosted by Kartal Municipality, was held on 12 June 2026 at Kartal Makina Hangar.

At the event, which attracted strong interest from district municipalities, universities, and IMM departments, funding and cooperation opportunities within the Horizon Europe programme—the European Union’s research and innovation programme—were discussed. The event was attended by Kartal Deputy Mayor Hayri Doğruyol, Head of the Foreign Relations Department Barbaros Büyüksağnak, Head of the Social Services Department Nazlı Enip Dipşar, as well as representatives from district municipalities, universities, and various İBB departments.

The opening speeches of the event were delivered by Prof. Dr. Tanay Sıdkı Uyar, Faculty Member of Mechanical Engineering at Istanbul Gedik University, Head of the Foreign Relations Department Barbaros Büyüksağnak, and Deputy Mayor of Kartal Hayri Doğruyol. In the opening remarks, the importance of European Union funds in enhancing the capacity of local governments and universities, implementing innovative solutions, and strengthening international cooperation was emphasized.

Within the programme, TÜBİTAK Horizon Europe Cluster 5 National Contact Point Arzu İpek Yılmaz Üçüncü delivered a presentation titled “Introduction to the Horizon Europe Programme and 2026–2027 Calls”, while TÜBİTAK Legal and Financial Issues National Contact Point Hüseyin Arif Sayılı provided comprehensive information on the legal and financial aspects of the programme.

In the second part of the event, the “Success Stories in the Horizon Europe Programme” session featured experiences from different institutions. In this session, Berfin Sönmez representing the Smart City Directorate of IMM presented the DECARBOMILE Project; Ayşe Gencer representing the Strategy Development Directorate of Maltepe Municipality presented the BUDGET IT Project; and Abdurrahman Türk representing the Research, Development and Technology Transfer Office of Sabancı University presented the ARISE Project. The presentations provided information on project development processes, international partnership structures, and the outcomes achieved within the projects.

Through this information and experience-sharing-focused event, participants had the opportunity to learn about current Horizon Europe calls and closely examine successful project examples. In addition, the event contributed to the development of new collaborations among local governments, universities, and IMM departments, as well as the strengthening of international project networks.

IMM will continue its information, capacity-building, and networking activities in order to make more effective use of European Union funds and to increase Istanbul’s visibility in the international project ecosystem.