31 March 2026, “Activating Participation for Local Recovery: Next Steps in the PACE Participatory Processes Workshop” was held in Hatay today.

The workshop was opened with speeches delivered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate for EU Affairs, Head of Project Implementation Department Mr. A. Hakan Atik, Hatay Metropolitan Municipality Head of External Relations Department Mr. Muhammed Anıl Mutta and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Head of PACE Project Mr. Jan Reckmann.

At the workshop, the initial outputs achieved under the project were shared, interactive sessions and group work addressed priorities for participatory processes, participation mechanisms, and the roles of stakeholders.

With the participation of municipalities, NGOs, business representatives, and local stakeholders, the subjects focused on for Hatay included climate action, zero waste, and reducing the urban heat island effect.

The PACE Project jointly funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is coordinated by Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Directorate for EU Affairs in collaboration with the Directorate General for Local Authorities of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the Union of Provinces and The Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (UMT). The project is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).