The signing ceremony of the cooperation protocol for the Yarma District Digital Center for the “Villages of Tomorrow Project”, which will be implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Konya Metropolitan Municipality, KTO Karatay University and Karatay Municipality under the sponsorship of Trendyol, was held.
“IF THE PROJECT IS RESULTED POSITIVELY, MIGRATION FROM VILLAGE TO CITY WILL STOP”
Speaking at the program organized at Konya Metropolitan Municipality Taş Bina Culture and Art, Karatay Mayor Hasan Kılca said, “Konya is a city that stands out with its agriculture. Our Konya Plain has enough agricultural land to feed all of Türkiye if sufficient opportunities are provided on its own. But this project is much more important. Because digitalization comes to the fore with the project. Sustainable agriculture and digitalization in rural areas are paved the way. In my opinion, if this project is concluded positively, migration from villages to cities will stop and perhaps we hope that reverse migration may even begin. I would like to thank those who contributed to the project.”
“THIS PROJECT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US”
Konya Chamber of Commerce (KTO) Karatay University Rector Prof. Dr. Fevzi Rifat Ortaç thanked them for their trust, kindness and inclusion in the project, and said, “This is an important project for Konya. This is an important project for our university. I would like to thank the United Nations, our Metropolitan Municipality, Karatay Municipality, the Chamber of Commerce and my own university for the realization of this vision.”
“IT IS A SOURCE OF PRIDE FOR US THAT OUR KTO KARATAY UNIVERSITY CONTRIBUTES TO THIS IMPORTANT VISION”
KTO President Selçuk Öztürk stated that they did not only take a development step with the “Villages of Tomorrow Project”, but also that they would collectively implement a new model in Konya that would shape the future of Türkiye, and said the following:
“It is a source of pride for us that our KTO Karatay University contributes to this important vision. We know that development is not limited to city centers. Real development is possible by combining the fertility of the soil, the value of labor, and the richness of culture with technology. The Villages of Tomorrow is a project that was born with this understanding and set out with this vision. This project, which is being carried out under the leadership of our Metropolitan Municipality, is an indicator of our institutional cooperation. On this occasion, I would like to thank our Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay and Karatay Mayor Hasan Kılca for their contributions to the project.”
“WE WILL BRING THE OPPORTUNITIES OF TECHNOLOGY TO OUR VILLAGES AND INCREASE PRODUCTION POWER WITH THE SURROUNDING VILLAGES”
Konya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay said that the “Villages of Tomorrow Project” is a project that will shed light on the future, bring villages together with technology and bring a brand new breath to rural development.
Expressing their belief that the protocol signed within the scope of the project will lead to a digital transformation in the heart of Anatolia, President Altay made the following assessments:
“I hope that this digital development initiative that extends from the villages of Konya to the world will be beneficial for both our cities and our country.
In such an era, placing digitalization at the center of our 'Konya Model Municipality' understanding is not just a technological preference; it is a natural result of our vision, our vision of civilization and our claim for a sustainable future. In this context, we will bring the possibilities of technology to our villages with the 'Villages of Tomorrow Project' and increase the production power together with the surrounding villages. We will open new horizons for our youth, women and disabled citizens by establishing digital equality of opportunity. We will add value to the value of our local products with packaging, design, e-commerce, e-export and branding trainings. While increasing efficiency with smart agricultural practices, we will root a production culture that is sensitive to nature.
“WE AIM TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY AND PROFITABILITY”
Mayor Altay stated that the Digital Center, which will be established in Yarma Neighborhood as part of the project, will pioneer Konya's rural development drive, and said, "I believe that this center will not only be a building; it will be a concrete symbol of rural development, green transformation and digital equality of opportunity. With the 'Villages of Tomorrow' project, we aim to bring together the local people, the public and private sectors, to eliminate waste and increase the efficiency and profitability of our producers. In this way, we are taking another important step towards ensuring the welfare of our producers, which is one of our top priorities in rural areas while managing our city, and preventing migration from rural to urban areas."
“IT WILL ALSO GUIDE Türkiye’S RURAL FUTURE VISION”
President Altay said, “This project will guide not only Konya’s but also Türkiye’s rural future vision. In line with our principles of sustainable production, value-added exports and decent employment, we will continue to carry each of our villages and regions to the future with the power of digital technology. On this occasion, I would like to express my gratitude to UNDP Turkey Resident Representative Ms. Monica Merino Domınguez, all UNDP officials, Karatay Municipality, KTO Karatay University and the Trendyol family who contributed to the implementation of the project. I would like to thank all of my fellow citizens who added strength to our power with their support. I believe that the Villages of Tomorrow Project will transform from Konya into a strong brotherhood, production and technology movement spreading all over Anatolia. With the project, we will bring the possibilities of technology to our villages and increase our production power together with the surrounding villages. Konya is a city that has grown with its labor and risen with its wisdom since the Seljuks. Now is the time to bring labor together with digital. We are carrying out very important projects with UNDP. First, the integration of migrants, then the strengthening of Konya's climate change action project, and the Green Sukuk study that we have recently launched, which will be the first of its kind in the world to be carried out by a municipality, have reached their final stages. In fact, the expression we all use when describing Konya as the city with the highest culture of working together is reflected once again in this project. This togetherness is very valuable, especially in our work with international organizations. This also forms a very important basis for our future projects. For this reason, I would like to thank our local stakeholders. I would also like to thank UNDP for the support it has given to the culture of working together with us so far.”
“THE CENTER WE WILL OPEN IN YARMA NEIGHBORHOOD WILL PROVIDE IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES TO FARMERS”
UNDP Turkey Resident Representative Monica Merino Dominguez expressed her great pleasure in working with Konya Metropolitan Municipality, Karatay Municipality and KTO Karatay University, and said, “We are making this memorandum of understanding by bringing together local administrators and the private sector. We are opening a new chapter in Konya. We are opening a digital community center in Yarma Neighborhood. This center will provide important activities to farmers in the region. It will especially increase the awareness of children, women and youth. It will help these people to produce higher quality products and products that will be offered to e-commerce in a better way. I would like to thank Konya Metropolitan Municipality for your hospitality and wish our cooperation to continue.”
In the program; Project Director Cihat Balcı and Portfolio Manager Cem Bayrak also gave presentations and information about the project.
Following the speeches, the agreement was signed by UNDP Türkiye Resident Representative Monica Merino Dominguez, Konya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay, KTO Karatay University Rector Prof. Dr. Fevzi Rıfat Ortaç and KTO President Selçuk Öztürk.
