Yozgat, Turkey

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Being a learning city is the most important step to building Yozgat’s future. I am excited to work with the UNESCO GNLC for future generations and to see what we can achieve as we learn together.

Mr Celal Köse

Mayor

An important junction between the West and East

Yozgat’s history dates to Hittite civilization in the late eighteenth century. Its ancient Roman baths are still open to the public today. Economic activities are mainly based on agriculture, as well as clothing production, metalworks, and brick and concrete manufacturing. Because of its proximity to Turkey’s capital, Ankara, Yozgat is considered an important junction between the West and East. 

Vision and Strategy

 Our strategy aims to increase employment rates through vocational education. Lastly, it is hoped that a robust lifelong learning strategy will contribute to reducing the loss of natural habitats and biodiversity and mitigate the effects of climate change. 

Policies, Plan and Implementation

Sustainability and health

• Yozgat provides not only medical services but also trainings and events to promote healthy lifestyles. Through its ‘mother- and baby-friendly’ initiative, consultancy services are provided during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. The city has also made efforts to carry out COVID-19 vaccine-awareness campaigns. 

Equity and inclusion

• Reducing inequalities is a major topic for Yozgat. Vocational training is therefore provided to disadvantaged groups along with support and grant programmes. To promote the rights of children and young people, students of all ages are elected as spokespeople and given civil rights training. 

Decent work and entrepreneurship

• Yozgat provides financial support to people who have completed entrepreneurship training to help them establish their own businesses. In addition, the city’s Teknopark promotes the creation and development of technology-oriented companies, increases synergy and cooperation opportunities, and creates job opportunities for qualified people. 

Good practices

Nature Education Centre

• Programmes on wildlife and biodiversity are offered at the Nature Education Centre, which has to date served 3,730 people, including 131 schools. Trainings consist of the introduction to wild animals, visits to a herbarium, nature walks and bird watching.  

Play Street

• One of the goals of the Play Street initiative is to facilitate the integration and adaptation of refugee children through cultural, scientific and artistic activities, especially considering the influx of Syrian refugees in the city. The project intends to increase children's play and interaction areas, while raising awareness of the parents about child education. Within the scope of the Project, which started in 2021, it is planned to provide education to 500 children, 50% of whom are immigrants.

OkuYoz Project

• The aim of the OkuYoz Project is to increase children’s reading habits. By including parents in the process, it hopes to create a reading culture throughout the province.