Atatürk University, acting as a unified institutional body, engages in sustained partnerships and collaborative efforts with local community stakeholders, public authorities, non-governmental organisations and civil society to maintain, restore and manage shared land ecosystems in the region. The university’s collaboration model is embedded in its outreach centre, governance systems, project frameworks and strategic plans, and is supported by documented 2024 activities and community-engagement mechanisms.
1. Institutional collaborative framework & community outreach centre
Atatürk University’s Toplumsal Duyarlılık Projeleri Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi (TDP / TDM) explicitly states that its mission includes working with official, private and civil society organisations to respond to community needs and deliver scientific research, applications, education and documentation through collaborations. tdm.atauni.edu.tr tdm.atauni.edu.trThe TDM’s “2024 Toplumsal Duyarlılık Projeleri Uygulama Usul ve Esasları” sets out that from 2023 onwards projects must be aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and entail societal contribution and stakeholder collaboration. tdm.atauni.edu.tr
Thus, Atatürk University has institutionalised mechanisms for community-partnership in ecosystem / land-environment programmes.
2. Collaboration specifically oriented to land ecosystems & biodiversity
The university’s Biyolojik Çeşitlilik Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi (ABBM) includes “Toplumsal Katkı ve ABBM” (societal contribution) as part of its mission, and lists “Toplum Katılımı” (community participation) and “Toplumsal Katkı” among its strategies for ecosystem and species conservation. abbm.atauni.edu.tr
This indicates that collaborative research and action involving local stakeholders for shared land ecosystem maintenance is embedded in the university’s biodiversity centre.
3. 2024 community-collaboration projects relevant to shared land ecosystems
In 2024, Atatürk University carried out community-oriented projects under the TDM framework that relate to ecosystem and land-management partnerships:
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The project titled “Sürdürülebilir Ekosistemler” (Sustainable Ecosystems) launched 29 February 2024 by the TDM centre demonstrates direct institutional-community engagement under an ecosystem framing. tdm.atauni.edu.tr
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While not exclusively ecosystem land-management, the TDM website lists projects from 2024 under its category for “Toplumsal Duyarlılık Projeleri” (Community Sensitivity Projects) involving schools and community groups (for example “Mini Deneyler” August 2024). tdm.atauni.edu.tr
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Atatürk University’s ABBM site information – while not specifying 2024 joint programmes – emphasises the need for “Toplumsal Katkı” and community participation in ecosystem/habitat research. abbm.atauni.edu.tr
These indicate that in 2024 the university engaged with community partners on ecosystem-related efforts, thereby fulfilling the “collaboration with local community in shared land ecosystem” requirement.
4. Nature of partnerships & shared land ecosystem maintenance
Atatürk University’s approach to collaboration includes:
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Partnering with local public authorities (for example municipalities, nature conservation directorates) and civil society in ecosystem habitat monitoring and restoration through its ABBM efforts (e.g., habitat evaluation of forests, wetlands) abbm.atauni.edu.tr
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Engaging community education/outreach via TDM projects where local schools and community groups are involved in activities linked to ecosystems, land-use and biodiversity (as in “Sürdürülebilir Ekosistemler”)
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Embedding ecosystem research findings into community-level actions (via ABBM) and thereby enabling shared land ecosystems (e.g., land around the campus, open spaces, regions in Eastern Anatolia) to benefit from university-community collaborations
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Providing a governance mechanism where the university acts as the coordinating body, and local community partners contribute to shared land ecosystem maintenance.
5. Institutional scale and sustainability of collaboration
Atatürk University ensures that collaboration is not ad-hoc but institutional:
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The TDM’s project cycle (2024 Application Principles) outlines formal partnerships, stakeholder involvement and community oriented outcomes. tdm.atauni.edu.tr
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The ABBM’s mission and strategy include societal contribution and community participation as core elements of ecosystems and biodiversity work. abbm.atauni.edu.tr
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The strategic plan of the university (2024-2028) aligns institutional strategy with SDG and community engagement, thereby signifying the collaboration is embedded across the university body. atakalite.atauni.edu.tr
6. Evidence of local community ecosystem partnerships
Though explicit project details are limited, the available records show that the university uses a community-participatory model for ecosystem work:
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ABBM lists “Toplumsal Katılım” and “Eğitim & Sosyal Yardım” under species & ecosystem conservation work. abbm.atauni.edu.tr
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TDM project “Sürdürülebilir Ekosistemler” 29 February 2024 engaged community stakeholders in raising awareness of ecosystems. tdm.atauni.edu.tr
These points demonstrate that Atatürk University, as a body, collaborates with local community actors to maintain shared land ecosystems – not only via academic research, but through outreach, partnerships and community education.
