A 'Social Innovation Model Project Workshop' was organized in cooperation with KASTOB (Confederation of Black Sea Civil Society Organizations) and Üsküdar University. The workshop, held with the participation of academic and civil society representatives, was organized with the aim of developing innovative solutions to societal problems and producing sustainable social projects. It was stated that similar studies will continue in the coming periods within the framework of the protocol, and this cooperation will make significant contributions to the field of social innovation in Turkey.
The workshop, held at Üsküdar University Çarşı Campus, focused on the development and project design of social innovation models, aiming to provide participants with theoretical knowledge as well as practical project development skills.
Solution proposals for real-life problems were generated on an interactive platform with the participation of federation presidents and project leaders. Significant steps were taken, especially in implementing sustainable projects in areas such as family, youth, women, health, and education.
Attendees of the workshop included KASTOB President Nevzat Duyar, Kocaeli Associations Federation President Bahriye Gürpınar Geredeli, Kırklareli Associations Federation President Adnan Tüccar, Bayburt Associations Federation President Hasan Saka, KASTOB Secretary General and Tekirdağ Associations Federation President Yüksel Arslan, KASTOB Deputy President and Sakarya Associations Federation President Yaşar Saka, Gümüşhane Associations Federation President Birol Boz, KASTOB Vice President İshak Koçoğlu, Kastamonu Associations Federation Deputy President Hikmet Şahin, Üsküdar University Secretary General Selçuk Uysaler, and young members from Üsküdar University and KASTOB.
KASTOB President Nevzat Duyar: “Social innovation also means new opportunities”
KASTOB President Nevzat Duyar delivered the opening remarks of the workshop. Duyar, emphasizing KASTOB's efforts to increase the power of civil society and produce projects that will benefit all segments of society, stated: “This workshop is a testament to our commitment to producing projects that serve the community. Social innovation is not just about solving problems; it also means new opportunities. The gains we make here will form the foundation of our future projects.”
KASTOB Vice President İshak Koçoğlu: “Developing projects that touch society is our primary duty”
Subsequently, KASTOB Vice President İshak Koçoğlu emphasized the critical importance of social innovation for federations and NGOs. Koçoğlu said: “As NGOs, developing projects that touch society is our primary duty. Thanks to such workshops, we have the chance to develop projects that will increase social awareness not only in our own regions but also across Turkey.”
Dr. Lect. Nebiye Yaşar drew attention to the concept of social innovation
Dr. Lect. Nebiye Yaşar, Director of Project Development at Üsküdar University Rectorate, who moderated the social innovation aspect of the workshop, drew attention to the details of the social innovation concept. Yaşar stated: “Social innovation aims to create change in existing systems by offering sustainable and innovative solutions to societal problems. In this workshop, by developing the competencies of our federations and project leaders, we are designing projects that will leave a lasting impact on society.” Yaşar also touched upon the importance of project design in social innovation processes, offering various methods and applications to participants on this topic.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Sami Mencet emphasized the power of media in social projects
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Sami Mencet from Akdeniz University managed the promotion and media moderation of the workshop. Emphasizing the power of media in social projects, Mencet stated that effective promotion strategies must be determined for projects to be accepted by society and reach wide audiences: “The announcement of your projects not only at a local level but also in national and even international arenas depends on the professional management of promotional strategies.”
It was emphasized that social innovation is also important in the implementation and sustainability phases
Within the scope of the workshop, participants focused on developing project ideas and models that they could implement.
The goal was for each participating federation to create social innovation-focused projects in their respective fields and to put these projects into practice. As a result of the workshop, it was emphasized that social innovation is important not only in the project development phase but also in the implementation and sustainability phases.
It was stated that similar studies will continue in the coming periods within the framework of the protocol, and this cooperation will make significant contributions to the field of social innovation in Turkey.