TUI Junior Academy Türkiye
As one of the Mediterranean’s ecological treasures, the Turkish coastline is facing mounting pressure from pollution, tourism, and unsustainable fishing practices. Working in partnership with TURMEPA, the TUI Care Foundation is expanding efforts to educate and actively preserve the Turkish coast through coastal clean-ups and responsible tourism initiatives.
Building on the success of the first phase of the TUI Junior Academy Türkiye project, which educated over 5,000 young students across Turkey on environmental sustainability, this second phase focuses directly on marine conservation and community engagement along Türkiye’s coastline.
Türkiye’s marine environment is under threat from waste accumulation and pollution, which degrade biodiversity, impact coastal communities, and compromise the appeal of Turkey as a tourist destination. Building on the educational foundation of the first phase of TUI Junior Academy Turkey, the TUI Care Foundation and TURMEPA are now focusing on three key areas: expanded environmental education, community outreach, and large-scale coastal clean-ups. The project fosters long-term behavioural change and mobilises young people as active custodians of their coastal environment.
Through enhanced educational programmes, this phase will reach an additional 5,500 young people along Türkiye’s coast, providing them with resources and training on marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and pollution. These sessions are structured to deepen the environmental knowledge instilled in the first phase, now with a focus on active participation and community leadership. The project will involve 76 local schools and community groups in an expanded awareness campaign, aiming to embed sustainable habits and create a local network of advocates for marine conservation.
Coastal clean-up efforts are another important focus of this phase, with the project removing 400 kg of litter from critical areas. These clean-ups tackle waste in popular tourist regions to reduce pollution whilst also showcasing the importance of collective action. By engaging young people, local residents, and tourists in these activities, the project demonstrates how individual and community action can safeguard natural resources. The project also works with tourism businesses to encourage waste reduction practices and support a culture of responsible tourism along the coast.
This second phase of TUI Junior Academy Türkiye focuses on measurable environmental improvements and foster a new wave of eco-consciousness.
Project Partner
TURMEPA is a non-governmental organisation founded by Rahmi M. Koç and Chamber of Shipping based on the protection of our nation’s coasts and seas. Its main aim is to leave a more liveable Turkey that embraces clean seas to future generations. With projects on both national and international bases, TURMEPA became Turkey’s leading sea-oriented non-governmental organisation. To Save the Seas Declaration of a Voluntary Commitment, published in 1995, allowed TURMEPA to obtain support from organisations such as IMO, UNEP, The Club of Rome, ICS, and IUCN on an international platform. With the decision taken by the Council of Ministers on June 19th 2000, it gained the status of being a public benefit organisation.
