Overall objectiveof the project
To deliver on the energy transition and tackle climate change in the Western Balkans and Turkey.
Specific objective
Is to support the CoM cities of the Western Balkans and Turkey in delivering on their pledges under the energy and climate targets. The CPMA is responsible for the project implementation in Turkey: specific regions, cities/municipalities.
Key results of the project
Output 1: Municipalities Empowered for Multi-Level Governance
Output 1 focuses on creating a multi-level governance mechanism to empower municipalities in climate and energy planning.
Main Goal
To increase collaboration between municipalities and national institutions and to institutionalize climate governance at the local level.
Key Achievements for Output 1
- For the first time in Türkiye, a functioning multi-level governance platform (MLGP4Climate) was established.
- Nearly 200 public and civil society actors actively participated in this platform.
- More than 70 bilateral meetings and structured dialogues were conducted.
- Local authorities engaged in over 25 high-level consultations with central government representatives.
- Municipalities contributed to regionally customized climate risk analyses
- 114 municipalities and 75+ institutions engaged by 2025
- 37 women’s cooperatives and 132 official partners registered
- Governance structure established (SC, AC, Secretariat, 2 WGs)
- 3 SC & AC and 3 WG meetings held in 2024 with 600+ participants
- MLGP4Climate website launched (1000+ resources)
Output 2: Regional and International Cooperation Strengthened
Output 2 supports knowledge exchange and cooperation among municipalities across borders and within Türkiye.
Main Goal
Strengthen regional and inter-regional cooperation between the CoM initiatives and the energy and climate municipalities to achieve of CoM targets
Key Achievements for Output 2
- Active participation in key international and regional events, including the UCLG-MEWA Executive Bureau Meeting, Konak Climate Summit, Karatay Climate Finance Workshop, COP28, WUF12, TAIEX TRATOLOW Workshop, and the Cities Meet Cities programme.Two study visits to Lithuania (July & December 2024)
- Financial Instruments Workshop was organized with the GAP Fund, alongside participation in IRENEC 2024 and 2025.
- The MLGP4Climate Declaration was launched, introducing formal cooperation frameworks with the CoM Mediterranean and the GCoM network.
Output 3: SECAP Planning and Development initiated
Supports municipalities in developing Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs).
Main Goal
To initiate the SECAP preparation process with adaptation, mitigation, and energy poverty components.
Key Achievements for Output 3
- 40+ municipalities received expert support from the project team in SECAP drafting.
- A total of 32 municipalities completed and submitted their SECAP reports.
- 7-step SECAP guideline and implementation tools published.
- SECAP Guide published on platform; quality control & English translations provided.
- Through the developed SECAPs, a total of 20 million tons of CO₂ reduction targets were reported via IMM (Monitoring Interface).
Output 4: Preparation and Implementation of Small-Scale SECAP projects
Piloting small-scale projects derived from SECAP priorities. Finance attraction
Main Goal
- To demonstrate tangible climate action through quick-impact, scalable projects, while also enabling municipalities to access small-scale climate grants and attract additional financing opportunities.
Key Achievements for Output 4
- Pilot projects in Melikgazi, Bağcılar, Çorlu implemented
- Total budget: €395.570 (with EU grants)
- Annual CO₂ reduction: 557 tons
- More than 40 municipalities were supported in developing investment plans, finance attractions, linked to their SECAPs.
Output 5: SECAP Monitoring anf Capacity Building
Strengthening capacity for monitoring SECAP implementation and supports training activities.
Main Goal
To ensure continuous improvement of local climate planning through capacity development and tracking systems.
Key Achievements for Output 5
- Toolkits and manuals such as the SECAP Baseline Emission Inventory Toolkit, Adaptation Guide, and MRV Guidelines were published.
- More than 200 people received one-on-one mentoring and technical support.
- Developed SECAP IT monitoring tool integrated with CoM requirements
- Revised and finalized Bağcılar’s monitoring plan with JRC input.
- Held SECAP Monitoring Workshop (June 2023) with JRC & CDP.
- Monthly knowledge-sharing meetings with JRC ongoing.
- Created a project fiche template for easy action tracking.
- Delivered capacity building training for pilot municipalities, planned for MLGP-wide rollout.
Output 6: TÜRKIYE GCOM Help-Desk is functional
Establishes a national support mechanism for municipalities engaged in GCoM.
Main Goal
To offer technical guidance, coordination and capacity building to Turkish municipalities under the GCoM framework.
Key Achievements for Output 6
- Türkiye CoM Help-Desk is fully operational; needs assessment conducted with 46 CoM municipalities.
- 50+ trainings held between 2021–2025, with 1,600+ officials trained;
- An impactful 12-week SECAP Masterclass in 2025 drew an average of 199 participants.
- The developed materials include 12 training documents and 12 instructional videos, AI-supported SECAP training content, informative brochures on energy poverty and nature-based solutions, as well as a SECAP Baseline Emission Inventory (BEI) toolkit, a climate finance guide, and an adaptation manual.
