About the Project: Bornova Municipality has pioneered a unique initiative in Turkey to enhance the institutional and individual capacities of neighborhood heads (muhtars), who are the most fundamental building blocks of local government. Implemented in collaboration with Bornova District Governorship, Yaşar University, and the Bornova Neighborhood Heads Association, the Bornova Neighborhood Heads Academy is a distinctive and exemplary local government model aimed at maximizing the quality of services provided to our neighborhoods. Supported by the Ministry of Interior and lasting six months, this visionary training program has enabled the 45 neighborhood heads of Bornova to integrate into the digital world, play an effective role in times of crisis, and strengthen their communication ties with citizens.

Project Aims and Objectives: Digital Transformation: Adapting neighborhood councils to digital infrastructure and accelerating access to public services; Governance and Coordination: Strengthening coordination between local governments and neighborhood councils, especially in disaster and crisis management; Strong Communication: Enhancing the public relations, public speaking, and persuasion skills of neighborhood councils to a professional level in their interactions with citizens; University-City Integration: Combining academic knowledge with local government practices to transform it into social benefit. Training Curriculum and Scope: Within the scope of a 6-month intensive academy program, comprehensive training was provided to neighborhood councils by academics and experts on the following main topics: Digital Literacy: Basic computer use, data security, and online meeting techniques; Digital Communication: Social media management and effective use of digital platforms; Public Relations and Time Management: Public speaking, diction, public speaking, and persuasion techniques. Project Outputs and Future: Bornova Neighborhood Councils Academy, which graduated its first students with a certificate ceremony held at the historic Dramalılar Mansion, stands out with its high participation rate and unique content. It has been registered as a "Model Exemplary for Turkey". To ensure the sustainability of this project, which has brought Bornova to the vision of a "pioneering city", a new cooperation protocol was signed between the institutions at the closing ceremony. Bornova Neighborhood Heads Academy will continue its work as a rising force from the local level with newly developed projects and training modules.