Türkiye’s coastline, a key ecological treasure of the Mediterranean, faces increasing threats from pollution, unsustainable fishing, and tourism pressures.
Waste accumulation and
marine degradation not only damage biodiversity but also threaten the
livelihoods of coastal communities and Türkiye’s appeal as a travel
destination.
Addressing these challenges requires
education, community engagement, and practical action.
The TUI Care
Foundation seeks to empower children as environmental ambassadors, promoting
sustainable practices and fostering a culture of coastal stewardship.
Building on the
success of the first phase of TUI Junior Academy Türkiye, which educated over
5,000 students on environmental sustainability, the second phase expands the
initiative in partnership with TURMEPA.
This phase will reach
an additional 5,500 young people across coastal regions including Muğla,
Antalya, İzmir, and Aydın.
Students participate
in interactive workshops, eco-camps, and excursions to learn about marine
ecosystems, biodiversity, pollution, and practical solutions to local
environmental challenges.
Vocational high school
students in Eco Camps will train as Senior Eco Champions, mentoring younger
peers and leading local sustainability projects.
Hands-on activities
include coastal clean-ups, visits to waste management and recycling facilities,
water treatment plants, and historical sites, alongside educational games
focused on recycling and waste reduction.
Teachers also benefit from specialised
training, with 350 educators equipped to inspire long-term behavioural change.
The project relies on
strong stakeholder collaboration, involving local communities, NGOs,
businesses, government authorities, fishermen, maritime professionals, and
tourism operators to promote shared responsibility for coastal protection.
As part of the
international TUI Junior Academy programme, it empowers children to become Eco
Champions and provides learning opportunities for youth in destinations
including Jamaica, South Africa, Germany, Greece, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe. -TradeArabia News Service