SENTRUM Young Volunteer Meeting Held

Category: ELECTRICAL ENERGY , ENERGY AGENDA - Date: October 22, 2025

The historic village of Birgi, in the Ödemiş district of Izmir, hosted an unforgettable gathering fueled by young volunteers who set an example for sustainable tourism. As part of the SENTRUM (Sustainable Energy-Based Tourism Application Center) Project, more than 250 young people from high schools and universities came together for a "Young Volunteer Gathering" to participate in activities that contribute to nature, culture, and society.

Birgi, a leading sustainable tourism destination named one of the "World's Best Villages for 2022" by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, hosted a "Young Volunteer Meeting" organized in collaboration with Enerjisa Enerji, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, and the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA). Young people contributed to the environment and society with their activities. Attendees included Enerjisa Enerji CEO Murat Pınar; UNDP Turkey Deputy Resident Representative Miodrag Dragisic; Ödemiş District Governor Hakan Yavuz Erdoğan; İzmir Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism Sadık Doğruer; Ödemiş Deputy Mayor M. Cumhur Şener; Tourism Development Agency (TGA) Aegean Regional Coordinator and Destination Manager Elif Köseoğlu; and numerous young volunteers.

Within the scope of the project, more than 250 young people, consisting of high school and university students between the ages of 16-22, Enerjisa volunteers and the people of Birgi, came together under the SENTRUM Project and participated in activities that will add value to nature, history and society.

At the gathering, young volunteers made environmental and social contributions through activities such as planting saplings, cleaning the surrounding area, building bicycles for children in need, and painting school walls and playgrounds. These activities, held amidst historic streets and natural beauty, showcased the youth's spirit of solidarity and commitment to volunteering. Through the activities, the young people developed their social responsibility skills, contributing to society and leaving their mark on Birgi's history by participating in the project.

Pınar: “The transformation of the future is being shaped in the hands of young people.”

Speaking at the young volunteer gathering, Enerjisa Enerji CEO Murat Pınar said , “ At Enerjisa Enerji, we are strengthening our vision of a ‘Better Future’ not only through energy investments but also through sustainability projects that extend to every segment of society. Today, we held a significant event with our young volunteer gathering. The value our young volunteers have added to Birgi's nature and history through their invaluable efforts and boundless energy has become the most important work we have built together. Thanks to this initiative, we have seen that we have not only developed a sustainable tourism model but also increased social benefit by supporting the spirit of volunteerism. It has been a source of great pride to see the seed we previously planted in Küçükköy, Ayvalık, with our SENTRUM Project, sprout in İzmir's historic Birgi village through the efforts of our volunteers. As Enerjisa Enerji, we will continue to transform not only the present but also our future with every step we take together with our volunteers. We know that the transformation of the future is shaped in the hands of young people.”

Dragisic: “Real change starts with people – especially purpose-driven young people”

Miodrag Dragisic, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Turkey, said, “At UNDP, we know that real change starts with people—especially purpose-driven young people. Today, the work of our volunteers in Birgi, protecting the environment, adding value to society, and embracing cultural heritage, demonstrated how sustainable tourism is built on the ground. Thanks to the SENTRUM Project, which we are implementing in collaboration with Enerjisa, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Turkish Grain Board (TGA), and local governments, Birgi is becoming an inspiring example of sustainable tourism.”

Published by: Alperen ERTAŞ- [email protected]