“Youth Friendly City” award for Muğla

Muğla Metropolitan Municipality was deemed worthy of the "Youth Friendly City" award for the projects it implemented in areas such as education, transportation, housing, sports, and participation in governance for youth. The award was presented to Muğla Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Aras at the organized ceremony. Muğla Metropolitan Municipality carries out exemplary work nationwide with applications that facilitate the lives of young people.

1 TL TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS

The Metropolitan Municipality reduced the transportation fee to 1 TL for university students to alleviate their financial burden. Initially started in the campus area heavily used by students, the practice was later expanded to cover intra-district transportation in all districts. In addition, student transportation was also implemented at 1 TL on the Menteşe-Akyaka line, which is heavily used by the youth.

YOUTH HAVE A SAY IN DECISION-MAKING MECHANISMS

Through the Youth Council established within the Muğla Metropolitan Municipality, active participation of young people in local government processes is supported. The youth directly convey their views and suggestions regarding city life to the administration and have the opportunity to have a say in decisions about the city’s future.

SECURE HOUSING OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS

To enable young people to continue their educational lives in healthier and safer conditions, the first student dormitory of the Metropolitan Municipality was opened in Seydikemer. The project offers significant support especially to young people facing housing problems.

YOUTH PULSE IS MEASURED VIA SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Through youth studies conducted via the Muğla Planning Agency (MUPA), the needs, expectations, and problems faced by young people are analyzed using scientific methods. The data obtained guide the shaping of policies and projects aimed at youth.

SUPPORTER OF SPORTS AND ACTIVE LIVING

The Metropolitan Municipality supports young athletes active in various sports branches and implements various incentive programs to spread sports to wider audiences. Sports investments and organizations continue with the aim of raising healthy and active youth.

THE POWER OF YOUTH IN SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

With the established Social Youth Desk (SOGEM), young people are encouraged to take an active role in social responsibility projects. Young people become part of projects producing societal benefit in many areas, from the environment to education, solidarity to volunteer work.

ARAS: WE ARE BUILDING THE CITY OF YOUTH MUĞLA TOGETHER

Muğla Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Aras stated that young people are not only the stakeholders of the future but also of today and said, “We do not see young people only as owners of the future. Youth are the subjects of today as well. They are the most dynamic force of urban life, democracy, decision-making processes, and our shared future. Therefore, the concept of a youth-friendly city is not just about producing a few services for young people for us. A youth-friendly city is a city where young people are heard, participate in decision-making processes, their ideas are valued, and they are supported in every field from education to transportation, housing to culture, sports to social life.

As Muğla Metropolitan Municipality, we implement many projects directly touching the lives of young people with this understanding. Because we know that youth participation in urban life is possible first with access to basic services. One of the most important duties of local governments today is to increase the hopes of youth. We must build, together, a life where young people feel valuable in their city, where their voices are heard, their efforts are recognized, and they can look to the future with confidence. We see this award as a new motivation for building a stronger, fairer, and freer urban life together with youth.”