Muğla Among the World's 300 Selected Cities

Muğla Metropolitan Municipality was accepted into Bloomberg Philanthropies' “Youth Climate Action Fund” program, one of the world’s leading organizations supporting sustainable cities.

With the results announced on April 29, 2026, Muğla joined the same global climate network as cities like Madrid, Athens, and Cincinnati. Selected among only 300 municipalities worldwide, Muğla became part of an important international collaboration to support youth climate-focused projects.

Project Prepared in Partnership with the Youth Council

The project accepted for the program by Muğla Metropolitan Municipality was prepared under the coordination of the Directorate of Foreign Relations. The Department of Climate Change and Zero Waste and the MBB Youth Council participated as stakeholders in the project.

The project aims for the youth in Muğla to have a more active participation in climate policies, have a say in local government processes, and directly contribute to sustainable city goals.

Youth Will Be at the Center of Climate Policies

Within the scope of the program, Muğla Metropolitan Municipality will implement practices that directly involve youth in decision-making processes.

Youths’ ideas and projects will be supported in areas such as increasing green spaces, improving waste management, and developing resilient city policies against disasters. Thus, the goal is for young people not only to generate ideas but also to become actors who develop solutions and guide local climate actions.

$50,000 Grant Support Will Be Provided

Under the program conducted by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Muğla Metropolitan Municipality earned the right to receive a $50,000 grant for the implementation of climate-focused projects developed by young people.

Besides the grant support, the municipality will also receive technical consultancy and capacity-building support from international experts. With this support, the aim is to turn the innovative ideas of youth combating climate change into concrete local projects.

International Support Will Strengthen Muğla’s Brand Value

The prestigious program covering 300 municipalities worldwide encourages active youth participation in climate action and contributes to cities achieving their sustainability goals.

Muğla Metropolitan Municipality’s acceptance into the program strengthens the city’s international collaborations and prepares a significant groundwork for youth to take a more active role in environmental and climate policies.

Mayor Aras: We Are Bringing Our Youth to the Center of Local Governance

Ahmet Aras, President of the Coastal Municipalities Union and Muğla Metropolitan Municipality, stated that being accepted into the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund is an important turning point for Muğla.

Mayor Aras emphasized that Muğla is not only a city that protects its nature but also acts with an approach that builds democracy and climate action from the ground up by empowering its youth in local governance.

In his statement, Aras said:

“Muğla is not only a city that protects its nature but is also progressing to become a modern local government center, setting an example worldwide by empowering its youth to have a say in local governance and building democracy and climate action from the grassroots up. Our goal is to increase Muğla’s climate resilience with the energy and vision of our youth, produce innovative solutions to environmental problems, and build a sustainable future. This international collaboration is an important opportunity that will strengthen our city’s global visibility and brand value.”