GREEN STEPSfor

Environmental LiteracyIstanbul

www.yesiladimlar.org

27 November 2005 , AthensGülru Hotinli, Serap Basol

Non profit organisation working since 1989

Initially established by a few experts on environmental issues

Working on small scale projects with a very limited budget

All members are volunteers

Yearly budget : max.2000 euros

• Medies member

• Water in Mediterranean educational package

• “Art of Waste”

• Waste in Our Life – in translation

“Art of Waste” a continous program

Poster calender with 30 issues on Environment and Sustainability

A guide book for primary schools on environmental activities .

STUDIES at UNIVERSITY level

• Every year we hold a conference at ITU Faculty of Architecture on “ecosustainable architecture”

• followed by workshops on “functional desings out of waste” and “reusing waste areas for creative projects” all of which are evaluated and exhibited as term projects.

• Presentations to the public schools on environmental issues and sustainable development.

• An Env. Education Guide Book for the Army.

• Supporting local NGOs with guide books, education programs, trainings.

• Trainings to various groups in the society.

Efficacywith a limited resources:

As a part of our policy: We have members from other NGOs’ in

various fields (ex.Tema, Greenpeace, WWF, Doga Dernegi, Soros

Foundation, Child Rights Groups, Women Groups, School PTAs, Unions, Chambers)

Now, having active members from various fields especially artists, biz sector, writers, musicians, doctors, city planners, pscyhologists..etc.

We gather different actors of the society together

just to share their experiences and discuss EE ESD

informally

• “Happy hours”

• Close relation with other NGOs.

• Receiving lots of demands from other NGOs-to support/design EE activities in their area of work.

• Other participators from different sectors, who are interested in our activities welcomed to discuss the need for education in their work groups and create ideas to raise awareness.

• Members are free to start any EE activity, to choose their working group, to plan their time tableand activities...(in line with our

mission statement and principles)

The core groupacts as a support entity

Lots of efforts are given to capacity building of volunteers/groups

for activities related toeducation

interpretationcommunication

advocacyfor raising

Environmental Awareness

Examples:

- 2005 – GSEL worked with EU “Fener-Balat District Rehabilitation Project” group in Istanbul to raise awareness on waste management of children and of the local women.

- Seminars given to Child Rights Coalition members on using the learning of environmental issues as a part of their program,

- Seminars in one of the major University Hospitals to doctors on how to cooperate with environmental NGOs to support children’s health.

- A study has been started with the Society of Psychologists of Istanbul, to include environmental issues in their volunteer activities

- We called GMO platform to support them in their activities (planned for 2006)

- Our member from Min.of Env. And Forestry invited to general town governors meeting for a seminar.

- Cooperation with contemporary artists to work on environmental issues

- Campaigns for donation of environmental books to the groups in need

- A small summer camp as a model for sustainable living for teenagers started to operate by one of our members.

Awards

Reputation

Media relations

High number of supporters

Shortly:

• Instead of growing as an institution

we are in increasing our activities through

multiplying ourselves...