For a more sustainable world: Earth Association

The Yeryüzü Derneği (Earth Association), which is working for a more sustainable world, became the 15th Changemaker of the eighth season of the Sabancı Foundation Turkey’s Changemakers Program.

In 2009, seven friends who consider global climate crisis as the most important threat against humanity established Yeryüzü Derneği (Earth Association). There is no president or hierarchic structure within the association which operates on a voluntary basis for a sustainable world.  

The association developed the Kent Bahçeleri (Urban Gardens) project as a solution to the problem of being detached from nature and to the difficulty of accessing healthy food due to urbanization. Thanks to this project, 1,350 urban gardens producing agricultural goods have been created in Istanbul. 

One of the other projects of the association is Yeryüzü Ekokoyu (Yeryuzu Ecovillage). It was built in Sakarya by volunteers of the association in order to experience sustainable life. 

The association also established a Repair Cafe in 2016 with the philosophy of “Don’t throw it out, but transform out. Repair and use again.” On the first Sunday of each month, those who volunteer to repair things and those who bring in their broken items meet in the office of the association in Kadıköy. Therefore, while creating an environment of solidarity, our broken stuff can be repaired.

The association also has different projects such as urban beehives, harvest seasons, society-supported agriculture and a swap festival. All activities of the Earth Association are free of charge and there is no need to be a member of the association to benefit from the activities.

The Earth Association imagines a more sustainable world. It has guided hundreds of people who have similar concerns to going one step closer to an ecological life. It bases its activities on volunteering and solidarity, creating a huge difference that will continue for generations in the lives of hundreds of people longing for nature.