81 Young Delegates to Be Selected Across 81 Provinces as Part of COP31 Preparations
The Ministry of National Education has launched a new project to increase youth participation in climate change policies ahead of COP31, which will be hosted by Türkiye.
In line with the preparations for the United Nations 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to be held in Türkiye between November 9 and 20, 2026, the Ministry of National Education has implemented the '81 Young Delegates from 81 Provinces' initiative. The project aims for secondary education students to develop solution proposals regarding climate change and sustainability.
Youth Participation in the Climate Agenda
Within the scope of the project, one principal and two alternate delegates representing each province will be selected among students studying in secondary education institutions. This process aims for young people to play an active role in combating climate change.
Selection Criteria and Evaluation
Students' abilities to observe their surrounding environment, original solution proposals, and research and expression skills have been determined as the main criteria in delegate selections. Students are expected to produce ideas by taking local geographical and cultural characteristics into consideration.
National Declaration of Local Experiences
The selected delegates will prepare declarations containing climate issues and solutions specific to their own provinces. These studies will bring together the youth perspective from different regions of Türkiye to create a comprehensive climate agenda.
Management and Coordination of the Process
The information of the designated young delegates and the declarations they prepare will be forwarded to the Directorate General of Secondary Education through provincial national education directorates. Thus, it is aimed to combine local-level studies on a central platform.