A Shared Vision from Education to Culture, from Youth to Social Entrepreneurship

Bornova Municipality and the İnci Foundation have elevated their cooperation to the level of international project partnerships through a new protocol that will run until 2029. Projects to be carried out in the fields of education, youth, and culture will be supported by funds such as Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), covering a wide range of initiatives from robotics and coding to orchestral studies. This comprehensive collaboration aims to create a stronger and more sustainable social impact for Bornova on the international stage.

Bornova Municipality has taken its cooperation with the İnci Foundation—originally launched in 2015 with the Children’s Orchestra project that introduced music to children aged 7–18—to an international dimension. The new protocol, signed by Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki and İnci Foundation Board Chair Ece Elbirlik Ürkmez, outlines a comprehensive strategic partnership that will continue through 2029.

Mayor Ömer Eşki stated:
“The İnci Foundation is one of the institutions we collaborate with most actively in civil society. We have worked together on many projects, from children’s education to art-focused initiatives. We have now carried this strong partnership to a level where we can benefit from international funds. We will continue to produce work that benefits Bornova, İzmir, and Türkiye.”

İnci Foundation Board Chair Ece Elbirlik Ürkmez said:
“We are pleased to move our long-standing cooperation into a new field. We thank you for opening this new space for collaboration. From now on, we will move forward together with much broader opportunities.”

Concrete Steps from Robotics Coding to Youth Orchestra

Within the scope of the protocol, robotics and coding workshops will be organized for children and young people, vocational training collaborations will be developed, and the Children’s and Youth Orchestra activities will continue at the Naldöken Cultural Center. In addition, the Mobile Library service will be expanded across neighborhoods, and existing programs such as the Kod’İnci Project will be further supported.

Through this protocol, which aims to promote joint production in education, youth, environment, and cultural heritage, social impact in Bornova will be strengthened, and national and international funds (Erasmus+, ESC, etc.) will be used more effectively.

Sustainable Contribution to Bornova Through Local Government–NGO Cooperation

The projects to be implemented in the new period by Bornova Municipality and the Cevdet İnci Education Foundation will directly contribute to the cultural, social, and academic development of children and young people. Through workshops, culture and arts activities, and neighborhood-based social projects, the partnership aims to enhance Bornova’s overall quality of life.

The protocol signing ceremony was attended by İnci Foundation General Manager Elif Türkmen Elbirler and relevant senior officials from Bornova Municipality.