Mentoring Program Completed under the Step2CleanPlan Project — Final Conference to Be Held in Burgas
Within the framework of the Step2CleanPlan (BSB00004) project, implemented under the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Cross-Border Cooperation Programme and coordinated in Türkiye by the Directorate for EU Affairs (National Authority), the “Local Policy Tools Guide for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation” has been prepared, and a three-month mentoring program has been successfully completed.
The project’s main objective is to strengthen the strategic planning capacity of local and regional decision-makers by establishing policy frameworks in the areas of climate change adaptation, clean energy, and sustainable mobility, aligned with National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).
Joint Guide for Local Policy Makers
As part of the project, a “Local Policy Tools Guide for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation” was developed and shared with the target groups.
The guide presents practical tools, methods, and good practices for institutions involved in local-level planning.
It can also be accessed through the municipality’s official website and at this web site.
Climate-Neutral Urban Mobility Plan Developed
The Lead Partner – Uzunköprü Municipality (LP) – has been preparing one of Türkiye’s first Climate-Neutral Urban Mobility Plans.
The plan aims to reshape the local transport system, support the goal of zero carbon emissions, enhance the sustainability of urban transport, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the city.
As part of this process, informative meetings were organized with citizens, civil society representatives, transport service providers, and relevant institutions, during which proposals were developed to promote the use of eco-friendly transportation modes such as cycling and pedestrian mobility.
Capacity Building through the Mentoring Program
The project partners established a joint mentoring group composed of six experts from Greece, Bulgaria, and Türkiye.
These mentors worked over a three-month period with local authority planners and decision-makers within a structured mentoring program.
The program consisted of three main training modules:
- Climate adaptation planning and steps for adaptation,
- Urban mobility and energy efficiency planning,
- Methods for monitoring and reporting measures for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Training sessions were delivered through a hybrid format combining face-to-face workshops, online meetings, and study visits.
Final Conference in Burgas – 11 November 2025
Following the completion of the mentoring activities, the project partners will gather for the Final Conference to be held in Burgas, Bulgaria, on 11 November 2025.
The event will bring together 40 participants from Türkiye, Bulgaria, and Greece — including representatives of local authorities, strategic planning experts, public institutions active in the fields of energy, waste management, and sustainable transport, as well as media representatives.
Participants will present and discuss the developed strategic plans, guides, and good practices, focusing on the integration of climate change considerations into policy design and implementation.
Overall Objective of the Project
The Step2CleanPlan project aims to mitigate the impacts of climate change, accelerate adaptation processes, and increase awareness at the local level.
Through jointly developed plans and capacity-building actions, the project contributes to climate-friendly urban development and sustainable regional growth.
The total project budget amounts to EUR 504,504.00, with EUR 454,053.60 (90%) co-financed by the European Union.
The project implementation is expected to be completed by 02 January 2026.
For more information:
🌐 https://step2cleanplan.com/
📍 Uzunköprü Municipality – Project Management Unit