About Us

“Zeytince Association for Supporting Ecological Lives” is an non-profit, membership-based civil society organization that was founded on 31 December 2013 in İzmir/Turkey, by a group of academicians and research students. So far there are 35 members of the association. Our objective is to promote sustainable living and lifestyles which are in harmony with the ecological principles and functioning of our planet. In the face of the vast environmental problems and climate change we believe that enabling citizens to assume active roles for ecological lifestyles, is needed in addressing these problems.

We recognize that, people becoming true actors of change is a key mover towards a more sustainable world within a safe and resilient Planet.

Our vision is to promote sustainable lifestyles and practices where people understand their relationship to nature, live by knowing their footprint on our planet earth and hence to live up to nature’s ecological life systems. To this end, Zeytince Association, undertakes education; workshop, civil engagement and research activities across the İzmir Peninsula. Through these activities we aim to contribute to strengthening awareness on sustainability and environmental issues, and to raise understanding, knowledge and inspiration in order to assume active roles in their individual and community lives.

Olive (“zeytin ”), has been adopted as a symbol of Zeytince’s relationship with nature, because olive fruit has been known as one of the most outstanding symbols of peace and friendship, but also as one of the common symbol of civilizations in the region. Olive and olive trees strengthen our bonds with life and with the earth.
The Olive Academy (“Zeytin Okulu”) which is situated at Karaburun district of İzmir, is the school building of

Zeytince Association. At Olive Academy the following activities are undertaken:

Organizing national and international workshops to support the integration of the peninsula into international ecological tourism and eco-networks.
The Academy operates as information and advice center for visitors, hikers and cyclists visiting the Ephesus – Mimas Cultural Route and Olive Route in Karaburun.
Organizes workshops (in painting, music, tale, photography, philosophy, agriculture, ecology) and harvest festivals (monumental tree tours, antique and stone print workshops) that will contribute to increasing the awareness of the natural, industrial and cultural heritage of the Karaburun region.
Undertakes training courses, projects to the olive and olive oil producers situated in Karaburun Region, on Olive cultivation.
An ecological education center, which provides protection of natural, cultural and industrial assets, especially olive and olive products, and assists in fostering opportunities for employment and income generation based on these assets.

Zeytince

Yönetim Anlayışı

Zeytince Derneği faaliyetlerini; yönetim kurulu, danışma kurulu ve denetim kurulu aracılığıyla yürütmektedir. Yönetim Kurulu Başkanlığı her yıl dönüşümlü olarak yapılmaktadır. Dernek Başkanlığı; 2014 yılında Yüksek Lisans öğrencisi Akın Erdoğan, 2015 yılında Yard. Doç. Dr. Dilek Akyalçın Kaya, 2016 yılında Yüksek Lisans öğrencisi Özge Yılmaz tarafından yürütülmüştür. 2017 yılında ise, Yüksek Lisans öğrencisi Aykut Uçar Başkan olarak görev yapmıştır. 2018 yılında Yönetim Kurulu Başkanlığı’nı Özge Yılmaz yürütmektedir.

Zeytince Derneği, eğitim, atölye, proje ve sosyal faaliyetleri yoluyla, İzmir yarımadasındaki gençlere ve yetişkinlere yönelik olarak şunları hedeflemektedir.

Zeytince Derneği, eğitim, atölye, proje ve sosyal faaliyetleri yoluyla, İzmir yarımadasındaki gençlere ve yetişkinlere yönelik olarak şunları hedeflemektedir.

Bölgenin doğal ve kültürel mirasının gelişmesine ve korunmasına katkı vermek

Karaburun’da özellikle zeytin ve zeytinyağı üretimini güçlendirmeye katkı vermek

Bölgedeki özellikle gençlerin, kadınların ve yetişkinlerin ekolojik yaşam biçimlerinin hayata geçirilmesi sürecine katkı vermelerine destek olmaktır.