We are looking to hire either:
• a Programme Expert
or
• a Programme Officer
depending on the qualifications of the applicants.
At Yolda Initiative, we are dedicated to biodiversity conservation, tackling the climate crisis and preserving sustainable land and sea use systems. If you share our vision, we’d love to hear from you!
📍 Location: Çanakkale (preferred) or Ankara (acceptable).
📩 Application deadline: January 13, 2025.
As a consultant to the International Union for Conservation of Nature – Center for Mediterranean Cooperation (IUCN MED), Yolda Initiative has been tasked with developing the management and action plan for the Patara Special Environmental Protected Area (SEPA) in Antalya, Türkiye. This area is a pilot site within the framework of the Mediterranean-level RESCOM project.
🐠 Patara SEPA is a site of exceptional ecological, cultural and archaeological value. Its unique multi-biome ecosystems and rich historical significance highlight the critical need for sustainable management to protect its natural values and cultural heritage for future generations.
We are proud to announce that our Saros Bay Conservation and Restoration Planning Project has received endorsement from the European Commission as playing a central role in contributing to multiple objectives of the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters”.
This endorsement not only strengthens our commitment to protecting and restoring this ecologically and culturally rich area along Turkey’s Aegean coast but also highlights the importance of our project in driving transformative change in the Mediterranean. It integrates our work into the broader European commitment to marine #conservation and #sustainability.
On World Environment Day, we’re at the Kadıköy Environment Festival, sharing insights on mobile pastoralism and Sarıkeçili nomadic pastoralists under Geççi’s goat-hair tent. We’ll highlight how local communities like the Sarıkeçililer, with centuries-old practices, contribute to biodiversity and the climate crisis fight.
In our recent fieldwork, we mapped the migration routes of mobile pastoralists in Turkey, collected data on traditional ecological knowledge, and examined the ecological benefits of this system. We found that mobile pastoralism, unlike industrial systems, relies minimally on high-carbon-footprint feed, supporting healthier livestock and ecosystems. Special thanks to the Sarıkeçililer Survival and Solidarity Association for their support.
The new PASTRES report on pastoralism and climate change highlights the overlooked climate benefits of low-impact pastoral farming, cautioning against decisions based on misleading data. It emphasizes the differences between extensive livestock production and factory farming, urging better consideration of sustainable practices in climate and food debates.
