PARTNERS

PROJECT COORDINATOR: Çukurova District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry

The Çukurova District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry operates as a strategic branch of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye. The organization functions as a primary public authority responsible for the regulation, monitoring, and development of the agricultural, forestry, and animal husbandry sectors within its jurisdiction. By bridging the gap between national policy and local implementation, the Directorate facilitates the modernization of agricultural practices and ensures the sustainable management of natural resources.

Institutional Mission

The organization aims to mobilize the ecological resources of the country effectively, efficiently, and sustainably through a development model perspective. Its core objective is to guarantee economic security, food supply security, and human health through the generation of ecological, plant, and animal value-added production.

Institutional Vision

The Directorate strives to establish and maintain a globally recognized model for ecological resource management.

Expertise and Operational Capacity

As the coordinating entity, the Directorate maintains a comprehensive operational capacity across diverse technical fields. The institution’s project management and implementation processes are led by a multidisciplinary team of experts, including Agricultural Engineers, Food Engineers, Veterinarians, and Fisheries Engineers. This diverse professional staff ensures that initiatives are grounded in scientific research and technical precision.

Key Activities and Responsibilities

The Directorate engages in a wide range of activities focused on sectoral advancement and resource protection:

Research and Policy Formulation: Conducting detailed sectoral analysis to inform and implement agricultural strategies that align with international standards.
Vocational Education and Training (VET): Organizing specialized training sessions and capacity-building programs for farmers, technical personnel, and agricultural stakeholders to foster innovation.
Resource Sustainability: Promoting responsible practices in aquaculture and plant production to minimize environmental impact while maximizing yield.
Food Safety and Reliability: Managing rigorous inspection protocols to ensure public health and the integrity of the food supply chain from production to consumption.

Target Groups and Educational Impact

The Directorate’s work primarily concerns professionals and practitioners within the agricultural and forestry sectors. Through its educational initiatives, the organization targets a broad demographic within the farming community, aiming to cultivate a mindset of environmental and social responsibility. By focusing on both current practitioners and the next generation of agricultural entrepreneurs, the Directorate ensures the long-term sustainability of resource management and rural development.

PROJECT PARTNER: MILIOS AND SIA OE (DIAN)

MILIOS AND SIA OE (DIAN) is a private consultancy and training organization based in Athens, Greece, with a continuous operational history since 1987. The organization specializes in the design and implementation of European projects across the fields of Education, Training, Culture, and Environment. Through decades of activity, DIAN establishes a robust presence in the European Union, collaborating with diverse organizations across nearly all E.U. member states.

Strategic Consultancy and Project Management

DIAN serves as a specialized consultant for organizations seeking to navigate European Union programs. The organization provides a comprehensive suite of services that includes:

Proposal Development: Supplying detailed information on E.U. programs, providing strategic advice on funding acquisition, and managing the preparation and submission of project proposals.
Administrative Management: Handling the preparation of technical reports and overseeing the general management of approved projects.
Coordination and Supervision: Acting as a central coordinator for partner consortiums, supervising project development milestones, and managing budgets, expenses, and fund distributions.
Evaluation: Preparing both interim and final evaluation reports to ensure project objectives and quality standards are met.

Thematic Expertise and Social Inclusion

In recent years, the organization has expanded its operational scope to address critical contemporary issues such as Youth, Environmental Protection, and the integration of Immigrants and Roma communities. This expertise is supported by a dedicated publishing department that produces specialized reference materials. DIAN maintains an extensive library of publications focusing on diverse socio-economic sectors, including:

Entrepreneurship: Focused resources for new entrepreneurs, small companies, and women’s entrepreneurship.
Sector-Specific Guides: Reference books on tourism enterprises, agriculture, and cultural issues.
Social Inclusion: Specialized materials addressing the needs of minority groups, people with disabilities, migrants, and refugees.

Operational Capacity and Training Methodology

The organization operates with a multidisciplinary team of 22 professionals, including experienced educators, university professors, and administrative technicians. DIAN’s methodology focuses on the development of innovative training materials, which undergo rigorous pilot implementation before reaching their final form. This ensures that the educational content remains effective for its diverse target groups, which range from students and teachers to socially marginalized populations and refugees.

Networking and International Recognition

As a member of the EVBB and EURORESO Consortiums, DIAN maintains an extensive network of 120 collaborators in 24 European countries. The organization is recognized for its excellence in project implementation, exemplified by receiving the 1st place award “DieEuropa2023” for its work in training disabled individuals in environmental protection measures.

PROJECT PARTNER: Terras Dentro – Associação para o Desenvolvimento Integrado

Terras Dentro (T.D) is a Portuguese non-profit association that has been a benchmark in integrated rural development and vocational training since 1991. Officially recognized by the Portuguese Vocational Training System and designated as an equivalent Non-Governmental Environmental Organization (NGO), the association operates as a multidisciplinary hub dedicated to sustainable development, social inclusion, and the modernization of rural territories.

Strategic Focus and Environmental Stewardship

Environmental issues serve as a fundamental pillar of Terras Dentro’s intervention policy. The organization implements a strategic plan that prioritizes Environmental Education and Nature Protection. Its expertise in this field is demonstrated through high-level involvement in major programs, including:

Life Program & PEDIZA: Leading projects focused on integrated development and biodiversity.
Forestry Management: Playing a pivotal role in the enhancement of “Montado” forest systems and the creation of the Pró-Montado Association.
Waste Management: Executing communication and implementation plans for sustainable waste practices in collaboration with national entities.

Rural Development and Innovation

Terras Dentro excels in fostering inclusive growth within rural areas. The organization actively supports the creation of micro-enterprises and the integration of modern technologies in agriculture. Its work promotes a holistic approach to rural development, ensuring that economic growth aligns with environmental sustainability and resource efficiency.

Vocational Training and Social Inclusion

The organization maintains a strong commitment to vocational education and training (VET), specifically focusing on:

Innovative Training Methodologies: Developing specialized materials and programs, such as the “Hand 4 Future” project, to modernize training standards.
Social Inclusion: Implementing initiatives like the “ESCOLHAS Programme” and gender equality projects to prevent violence and promote social integration in schools and communities.
Diverse Learner Profiles: Training programs address a wide demographic, including children, young people, adults, entrepreneurs, and educators.

Multidisciplinary Team and International Cooperation

The operational strength of Terras Dentro lies in its diverse team of experts, spanning fields such as Agronomy, Environmental Sciences, Sociology, Psychology, Civil Engineering, Economics, and Law. This multidisciplinary powerhouse ensures that project implementation is both innovative and technically sound.

With extensive experience in international cooperation through the Erasmus+ and Youth in Action programs, Terras Dentro leverages its membership in the Portuguese Platform of NGOs for Development to ensure wide-reaching dissemination and impact across European borders.