İzmir became one of the 13 European cities that made it to the finals in the 2026 European Youth Capital candidacy among 5 European cities. Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç SoyerContinuing to work in line with the youth-oriented city vision of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, it is experiencing a new excitement after the European Award. The good news for the 2026 European Youth Capital application was announced by the European Youth Forum. Among the applications of 13 European cities, it was announced that İzmir made it to the final. Izmir and Malaga from Spain, Sarajevo from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tromso from Norway and Vila do Conde from Portugal will also compete for the title of 2026 European Youth Capital.
Soyer: “I am ready to do my part in the process”
Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç SoyerAfter the short list was announced and the final news was received, it met with non-governmental organizations and young people who contributed to the application process and carried out work. Stating that this development is a very important success, the President Tunç Soyer“You young people's guidance is very important to us. I believe that this success will be completed in the final and that our city will win this title. Such a title will be earned not only for İzmir but also for our country. We will achieve gains for the youth in many different fields such as culture, art, literature, music, sports and tourism.”
14 January “City and Youth” Meeting
On January 14, 2023, a meeting of Izmir Youth Initiatives was held under the title of “City and Youth” with 28 people representing 10 non-governmental organizations and 58 district municipalities. During the application process that started with this meeting, 2026 European Youth Capital applications were made with an intensive and participatory method.
Tugay: “We have become a model city for Turkey”
İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Secretary General Ertuğrul Tugay said, “We started to walk together with non-governmental organizations and young people during the application process that started on 14 January. I would like to thank our young people who were involved in this process and did not spare their valuable contributions. We, administratively, will do our best as facilitators in the works that young people will carry out for the cities they dream of. It was a great success for İzmir to reach the finals last year. It is a source of pride that this success is an example to other cities from Turkey. Apart from Izmir, Konya, Ankara and Antalya also applied from Turkey this year," he said.
“European Youth Capital”
The title of European Youth Capital is seen as an important step to increase the opportunities for cultural, social, political-economic life and development programs for young people and to improve more livable urban ecosystems for young people. The European Youth Capital application was made in order to promote all the work done with the youth in the international arena, to contribute to the recognition of Izmir and to create more funds for youth work.
Work on the 2026 European Youth Capital application will continue throughout the year in partnership with the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality City Council Youth Assembly, in cooperation with the relevant units of the Metropolitan Municipality and with different institutions, organizations and organizations that carry out youth work. Having successfully completed the first of the 3-stage application process, İzmir, which made it to the finals, will proceed with a participatory method with the non-governmental organizations in İzmir for the 2nd and 3rd applications to be made in June and August.