SENTRUM: Now it is time for Birgi!

Sustainable tourism is not limited to the utilization of clean and renewable energy resources. It is also the most meaningful intervention that can be done with the hands of people on the protection of cultural and natural values as well as on the agricultural production in the region, biological diversity, the air and water in the region; in short, on building the necessary balance to improve life.

We have the goal to leave a better future for the next generations as well as to inspire sustainable tourism, to contribute to the community-based socio-economic development, and to adapt to the globally recognized standards at small-scale destinations in Türkiye in compliance with the specific requirements of the region.

That is how we set off for the transformation journey in Küçükköy, Ayvalık with SENTRUM in order to become the center of this change and transformation.

What is SENTRUM?

​The Center for Tourism Practices Based on Sustainable Energy, i.e., our SENTRUM project, has the purpose of transforming a destination which has not yet realized its potential, to promote sustainable tourism and to support local economic development.

We set off for the sustainable transformation journey of Birgi in the historical villages of Izmir in collaboration with the Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), Enerjisa Enerji and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and with the support of Sabancı University, HiltonSA Hotels, Sabancı Foundation and local stakeholders.

What are the Goals of the SENTRUM Project?

The main goal of the project is to adapt to the globally acknowledged standards at small-scale destinations in Türkiye in compliance with the specific requirements of the region.

Exclusive goals of the project are to;

a) Support social, environmental and economic transformation in sustainable tourism.
b) Raise awareness on energy efficiency and renewable energy utilization,
c) Create a sustainable green destination which is scalable and reproducible.

SENTRUM Küçükköy

Küçükköy, a small town in the Ayvalık district of Balıkesir, is a natural and cultural attraction point and has significant advantages, including its town structure, traditional stone architecture, solar and wind receiving capacity, in becoming a sustainable, green tourism destination. Thus, we set off for this journey to achieve the first SENTRUM project in Küçükköy, Ayvalık in June 2021 to contribute to strengthening the tourism potential and increase the competitive power of our country in the international arena, and convey the significance of sustainability at every stage of tourism; and, we have been working since then.

Transformation in Küçükköy

1. As it was the first project, due diligence analyses were performed to determine the tourism resource values, identify the cultural and natural values that can be marketed in terms of tourism, and define stakeholders.
2. Following these analyses, green destination standards in various countries were reviewed and standards that could be adapted to Küçükköy were specified. As part of these standards, roadmaps were developed on green purchasing, sustainable transportation, production and consumption, and shared with the relevant public institutions and locals to get their feedback.
3. This process which will be the starting point of a major transformation with its environmental, social and economic potential was supported by the 'Energy of My Business' brand of Enerjisa Enerji in terms of energy efficiency, saving, reduction of carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy resources, etc. which are core issues of sustainability.
4. Energy survey studies was conducted for the tourism businesses and public buildings in the region.
5. Eight local businesses in the region were supported with energy-efficient lighting and white goods in line with their requirements.
6. A solar power plant project and energy efficiency practices were implemented at two public buildings, and a private business was supported with improvements in their energy practices.
7. 140 people including high school students, local women and business owners were provided training regarding energy efficiency, sustainable tourism, waste management, climate change, and gender mainstreaming.
8. The 'SENTRUM Coordination Office’ was opened at the Creative Technologies Workshop of Sabancı University for local people and businesses as well as tourists in order to raise awareness of stakeholders on energy efficiency and utilization of renewable energy resources.
9. A permaculture garden was designed and created in the garden of the Creative Technologies Workshop of Sabancı University to support sustainable agriculture and raise awareness of visitors of the SENTRUM Coordination Office. Training provided at SENTRUM on energy efficiency, utilization of renewable energy resources, permaculture practices, composting, rainwater harvesting, climate change, etc. were supported with the practices.
10. Gender mainstreaming was taken into account to enhance engagement of women in the process and inform and strengthen women; and a Gender Action Plan was prepared to guide these studies.
11. Young graduates from engineering departments who reside in Ayvalık, and the surrounding provinces were invited to participate in energy manager training in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. The goal was to increase employment opportunities once these young graduates, who completed training and passed the relevant exams, became certified energy managers to able to conduct energy surveys.
12. Alternative hiking and cycling routes were established around Küçükköy, and the energy route and cycling / hiking route were shown on the boards and signboards and qualified maps.
13. As part of the collaboration with HiltonSA Türkiye Hotels, sustainable tourism training was provided to tourism businesses in Küçükköy, and the participants were granted certificates.
14. With these activities carried out, particularly SDG 7, i.e., affordable and clean energy, SDG 8, i.e., decent work and economic growth, SDG 12, i.e., responsible production and consumption goals, -three of the SDGs to be achieved by 2030- were contributed.
15. Following the energy surveys conducted, energy efficiency and solar power plant projects were carried out at Necmi Komili Primary and Secondary School and Küçükköy Culture Center.
16. Küçükköy Necmi Komili Primary and Secondary School became one of the first ‘Net Zero Energy Buildings’ in Türkiye.
17. Eşarj, the first and fastest EV charging station network company in Türkiye, invested in a project to be completed in the public parking in front of the Department of Technical Works of Küçükköy Municipality.
18. In total, we enabled saving 15,000 kg of coal per year and preventing 90,000 kg of carbon emissions per annum.

About SENTRUM Birgi

Together with the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Enerjisa Enerji, we set off for launching the second stage of SENTRUM in Birgi, Izmir.

How to Write the Transformation Journey of Birgi?

In Birgi, the purpose is to adapt to the globally acknowledged standards at small-scale destinations in Türkiye in compliance with the specific requirements of destinations in order to contribute to community-based socio-economic development and to support sustainable tourism. We can summarize what to do to achieve sustainable tourism and create a green destination in Birgi as follows:

1. Raise awareness on sustainable community-based tourism,
2. Develop a sustainable governance mechanism for the green destination model,
3. Enable socio-economic, cultural and environmental sustainability in Birgi,
4. Pioneer the transformation of a destination in compliance with GSTC criteria in Birgi,
5. Conduct capacity development activities for women, young people and tourism businesses,
6. Identify needs and prepare action plans by analyzing the baseline in terms of gender equality, employment of women and youth, offer internship opportunities to students of tourism vocational high school and university,
7. Identify current and future climate risks for the destination
8. Support cultural heritage by adopting innovative technologies which bring together the local craftmanship with modern designs in Birgi,
9. Create sustainable tourism routes and improve the existing routes,
10. Strengthen the environmentally-friendly transportation infrastructure and make the necessary improvements in collaboration with local authorities,
11. Enable energy efficiency transformations in public buildings to be selected,
12. Conduct energy surveys for local tourism businesses and public buildings and identify the steps to take to reduce energy consumption,
13. Organize training programs for local stakeholders and tourism businesses in order to reduce excessive water consumption, energy consumption and consumption of disposable products,
14. Work in coordination with central and local authorities to carry out all these activities in Birgi.

Now it is time for Birgi!

The transformation activities initiated in Küçükköy, Ayvalık with the SENTRUM project set a concrete example to show what kind of impact sustainable tourism can create on regional and global scales. Our project encourages energy efficiency and utilization of renewable energy resources while attaching great significance to the conservation of local culture and natural assets. The success story in Küçükköy proves that sustainable development and tourism is possible by setting an inspiring example for other regions as well.

The promising journey of the SENTRUM will continue to achieve positive transformations, not only in terms of environment, but also in terms of community and economy. In brief, we put all our efforts to inspire sustainable tourism for a better future! Now it is time for Birgi…