Young Climate Leaders Gathered in Mersin: EU Climate Ideathon 2026 Local Final Held

The Mersin Local Final of the EU Climate Ideathon 2026 was held on September 23, 2026, hosted by the Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MTSO) European Union Information Center.

At the event, where university students studying in Mersin and Adana presented innovative project ideas focused on climate and sustainability, Prof. Dr. Rükan Genç Altürk (Head of the Academic Unit at Mersin Technology Transfer Office) and Prof. Dr. Nadir Dizge (Faculty Member at the Faculty of Engineering) played active roles in the jury evaluation process.

Inviting university students to develop global and local solutions to the climate crisis, the EU Climate Ideathon 2026 stands out as a comprehensive, nationwide youth program. The program aims to support young people in bringing their innovative ideas to life, enable them to contribute to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP31 process, and help them make their voices heard by wider audiences. Throughout the process, students receive professional support from experts and mentors—covering training, production, and collaborative work—and have the opportunity to refine their ideas for a sustainable future.

This long-term marathon, which kicked off simultaneously in 18 provinces across Türkiye, will culminate in a grand National Final to be held in Antalya in November 2026. The top-ranking ideas at the national final—organized within the scope of COP31—will gain the opportunity to contribute to global discussions on climate action and inspire the world. Winning teams, comprising the climate leaders and innovators of tomorrow, can look forward to special awards, opportunities for global visibility, and strategic support to advance their projects. The program, funded by the European Union, is being implemented in cooperation with the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) within the framework of the European Union Information Centres Network.