The Heart of Green Transformation Beats in Birgi: SENTRUM Birgi Implementation Center Opened

While the SENTRUM Project continues to foster local development in the historic village of Birgi in Izmir, the newly inaugurated Implementation Center now stands at the heart of efforts to drive the sustainable transformation of the destination. This center will serve as a hub for coordinated activities that aim to generate meaningful impact across multiple dimensions - from energy efficiency and cultural heritage preservation to empowering women and youth, and raising awareness on climate change. As part of the SENTRUM Project, launched by Enerjisa Energy and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and later strengthened with the support of the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), the Implementation Center officially opened its doors in Birgi, marking a significant milestone in the region’s sustainable development journey.

The opening ceremony of the SENTRUM Birgi Implementation Center was attended by Enerjisa Energy CEO Murat Pınar, UNDP Türkiye Resident Representative Monica Merino, Ödemiş District Governor Fatih Aksoy, Ödemiş Deputy Mayor Cumhur Şener, and numerous residents of Birgi. TGA Vice General Manager Dr. Elif Balcı Fisunoğlu also contributed to the event with a video message. During the ceremony, the social, environmental, and economic impacts of the project were highlighted, alongside a presentation of the work accomplished thus far and the goals ahead. The sustainable tourism efforts launched in Birgi under the SENTRUM Project - supported by Sabancı University, HiltonSA Hotels, and the Sabancı Foundation, and implemented in collaboration with the Ödemiş District Governorship and Municipality - entered a new phase with the opening of the Implementation Center.

While sustainable tourism efforts in Birgi will be coordinated through the Implementation Center, this hub will also ensure that all green transformation initiatives in the region - centered on local heritage - become more lasting, more accessible, and more visible.

With the sustainable tourism model that has been developed, a tourism concept that spans four seasons is encouraged
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The work carried out aligns with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) criteria, supporting Birgi’s transformation into a model destination that advances environmental, cultural, and socio-economic sustainability.

As part of this effort, training programs and workshops have been conducted to emphasize and preserve local values. A total of 1,000 participants - including tourism professionals, women, youth, and children - have taken part in 21 different training sessions. Additionally, comprehensive stakeholder meetings have been held with local actors to promote sustainable tourism, gender equality, and alignment with international standards.

Murat Pınar: “We remain committed to creating inspiring success stories”
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Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Implementation Center, Enerjisa Energy CEO Murat Pınar remarked: “As Enerjisa Energy, we are not only leading Türkiye’s energy transformation but also setting an example for the world through our sustainability-driven efforts under the vision of ‘A Better Future’. With the SENTRUM Project, we have once again demonstrated that our achievements are no coincidence - replicating the success we first realized in Ayvalık Küçükköy, now in the historic village of Birgi in Izmir. With the launch of our Implementation Center, we will accelerate our efforts and engage a broader audience. As we transform Birgi into a sustainable 'green destination' that embraces tourism year-round, we remain committed to creating success stories that will inspire globally in the field of sustainable development.”

Monica Merino: “We advocate for a new approach to tourism that places sustainability and community well-being at the center”
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“At UNDP, we advocate for a new approach to tourism — one that places sustainability and community well-being at the center,” said UNDP Türkiye Resident Representative Monica Merino in the opening ceremony. “The SENTRUM Project embodies this vision: Building destinations that are sustainable and livable for local communities. This new center will serve as a hub for community trainings, workshops, family-friendly visitor services, and sustainability initiatives. Birgi is steadily advancing to become a recognized green destination, showing how sustainability principles can be embedded into local tourism development.”

Dr. Elif Balcı Fisunoğlu: “The SENTRUM Project is a pioneering model that translates our vision for sustainable development into on-the-ground action”
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TGA Vice General Manager Dr. Elif Balcı Fisunoğlu stated, “The SENTRUM Project is a pioneering model that translates our vision for sustainable development into on-the-ground action. The SENTRUM Birgi Implementation Center, which we are opening today, serves as the local implementation hub of this vision. As a key gathering space for women, youth, children, and local businesses, the center will advance sustainable tourism through awareness-raising, capacity-building, and inclusive participation. Within the framework of our national agreement with GSTC, Türkiye stands as a leader championing global standards in sustainable tourism. SENTRUM represents one of the strongest reflections of this transformation on a local scale.”

A Journey of Sustainable Transformation in Tourism: From Küçükköy to Birgi
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The SENTRUM Project began its journey in the Küçükköy neighborhood of Balıkesir, where energy assessments were conducted in public buildings and solar energy systems were installed. As part of this pioneering initiative, Necmi Komili Primary and Secondary School became Türkiye’s first “Net Zero Energy School,” serving as both a flagship and a replicable model for future efforts.

The second implementation site of the project is the historic village of Birgi in Izmir. Here, the project expanded its scope to include both energy-efficiency infrastructure improvements and community-based cultural and productive activities tailored to support sustainable tourism. For women, creativity-focused workshops such as Eco Print - a natural fabric dyeing technique - and gastronomy sessions led by Şerife Aksoy provided opportunities for skill development and income generation. Additionally, capacity-building trainings were delivered to local businesses, focusing on sustainability practices, GSTC criteria, and disaster preparedness.

A Sustainability Story: From Local to Global Impact
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Elevated by the opening of the Birgi Implementation Center, the SENTRUM Project advances not only sustainable tourism but also broader social transformation goals, including gender equality. By promoting the active involvement of women in decision-making and implementation processes, the project fosters inclusive development. At the same time, it aims to ensure a balanced, year-round visitor flow through a sustainability-driven tourism model.

SENTRUM Implementation Center, which is an important milestone in Birgi’s transformation into a sustainable tourism destination, will continue to strengthen local development through expanding partnerships and growing community engagement in the period ahead.