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Anna Lindh Foundation

Mediterranean Environmental and Economic Network

National Network

Turkiye

Address

Ekinci Mahallesi Antakya/Hatay

City

Antakya

Province

Hatay

Mobile Phone

+905323272229

Telephone

+905323272229

E-Mail

meencities@gmail.com

Year of Establishment

2024

Contact Person1

Ali Birecik

Job Title 1

Project Manager

Contact Person 2

Abdullah Said Hocaoglu

Job Title 2

Project Expert

Organisation Type

Non-Governmental Organization

Fields of Activity

Democracy and community development, Environment/Sustainable development, Heritage, Human rights, International/Cultural relations

General Information

The Mediterranean Environmental and Economic Network (MEEN) is a Hatay-based non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting sustainable development and economic prosperity across the Mediterranean region. By fostering collaboration between local governments, academia, and civil society, MEEN aims to address environmental challenges through innovative and inclusive solutions

Mission and Objectives

Mission: To promote sustainable development in the Mediterranean region by supporting local governments and enhancing civil participation in environmental protection, economic development, education, and agriculture.
Mission Goal: To foster collaboration among public and private sector representatives, academics, and civil society organizations to address regional environmental challenges with innovative and inclusive solutions.
Vision 2030: To position the Mediterranean as a model of environmental sustainability and economic prosperity, overcoming regional challenges through innovative and inclusive solutions.
Vision Goal: To become a global network recognized for its contributions to environmental sustainability and economic development.

Main Projects / Activities

The Mediterranean Environmental and Economic Network focuses on several core initiatives that integrate environmental protection with youth empowerment and regional resilience. One of its primary technical projects involved establishing a monitoring and awareness system for mercury and heavy metals in the Gulf of İskenderun. The organization also coordinates the youth climate ambassadors program in Hatay, where it leads workshops on sustainable environments, advocacy, and climate change mitigation.

In addition to climate work, the network emphasizes practical education through sustainable agriculture field visits and Mediterranean gastronomy workshops aimed at teaching young people about sustainable food production. Following the February 6 earthquakes, the organization shifted focus toward community recovery by organizing tree-planting events to honor victims and hosting World Environment Day programs that combined waste collection with social solidarity for earthquake-affected communities. Furthermore, the network is active in promoting social inclusion, having developed a Gender Equality Action Plan and conducted capacity-building trainings to raise awareness of equal opportunities and combat social stereotypes within the region.

How can you contribute to the Network in your country?

MEEN can contribute to the Turkish National Network by sharing its extensive field experience in Mediterranean-focused environmental and economic projects. As an organization based in Hatay, we have the capacity to strengthen the dialogue between local authorities, academia, and civil society. Leveraging our significant expertise in Erasmus+ and ESC initiatives, we can organize specialized trainings and workshops to enhance youth skills in climate change mitigation, sustainable agriculture, and disaster resilience. Furthermore, we can facilitate new international collaboration opportunities for network members through our existing partnerships in countries such as Italy, France, and Greece, while providing professional support for project dissemination and visibility through our dedicated communication team.

Why do you want to join the ALF Network?

As an organization actively operating within the Mediterranean basin with a focus on sustainable development, MEEN considers itself a natural partner for the Anna Lindh Foundation network. The devastating impact of the 2023 earthquakes in our region, coupled with the intense migration flows resulting from ongoing conflicts in the Eastern Mediterranean, has heightened the scale of the humanitarian and environmental crises we face. We firmly believe that these complex challenges can only be addressed through international dialogue, intercultural cooperation, and joint project implementation. By joining the ALF network, we aim to share our experiences in post-disaster rehabilitation, social integration of migrants, and regional stability, while working alongside Mediterranean stakeholders to build a more resilient and inclusive community.

Additional Information

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