Altona Delegation Visited MMU Member Municipalities
During the delegation’s first visit, MMU provided an overview of its work and areas of activity. MMU Secretary General M. Cemil Arslan shared insights into the general structure and history of local governments in Türkiye. The meeting facilitated an exchange of knowledge and experiences on local government competencies in Türkiye and Germany, covering topics such as transportation, education, migration, data management, and inclusive service provision. Emphasizing their willingness to collaborate on strengthening inter-municipal dialogue between the two countries, Secretary General M. Cemil Arslan thanked the delegation for their visit.
The program continued on March 5 with a visit to Maltepe Municipality, where the municipality's projects and activities were presented. The meeting particularly focused on tactical urbanism projects, and discussions were held on participatory methods in urban design and planning. Maltepe Mayor Esin Köymen later welcomed the delegation in her office and addressed their questions regarding the vision of Maltepe Municipality and the district.
On March 6, the delegation visited Sultanbeyli Municipality, where they attended a presentation on the municipal structure and activities, followed by a field visit showcasing refugee-focused initiatives. The visit facilitated an exchange of knowledge and experiences on migration-related municipal efforts. The delegation examined the work of the Refugees Association, Sultanbeyli Municipality Community Center, and Hem-Dem Women's Cooperative through on-site presentations by coordinators. The visit concluded with a meeting with Sultanbeyli Mayor Ali Tombaş, who provided information about the district.
On the final day of the program, Sancaktepe Municipality introduced its work in areas such as climate change, women and family, health, and youth, with the participation of deputy mayors and department heads. Best practices and experiences were shared, with a particular focus on youth empowerment and active citizenship. Lastly, Sancaktepe Mayor Alper Yeğin addressed the delegation's questions regarding the challenges faced by rapidly growing districts.
* Supported by ENGAGEMENT GLOBAL – Service für Entwicklungshilfen with funding from the Stiftung Mercator.
