Cittaslow Türkiye and TRNC Network Met in Northern Cyprus for a Shared Future
Cittaslow cities—which operate with a focus on preserving local values, sustainable development, and quality of life—came together to strengthen cooperation between Turkey and Northern Cyprus.
At the meeting held from September 17 to 20, 2026, mayors and representatives from municipalities belonging to the Cittaslow Turkey and Cittaslow TRNC networks gathered alongside Ms. Büşra Özdemir—Deputy Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, Cittaslow Turkey Coordinator, and International Cittaslow Vice President—to evaluate areas for joint work, examples of best practices, and future cooperation opportunities.
Mayors and representatives from Cittaslow Turkey member municipalities had the opportunity to observe best practices and projects in the Yeniboğaziçi, Geçitkale, Tatlısu, and Mehmetçik regions over the course of three days.
The Cittaslow Turkey & Cittaslow TRNC Cooperation Development Meeting took place on Saturday, September 19, 2026, in Mehmetçik-Büyükkonuk.
At the meeting, attended by mayors and representatives from the Cittaslow networks of Turkey and the TRNC, participants evaluated potential joint initiatives, the sharing of best practices, and areas of cooperation regarding local development, sustainable tourism, cultural heritage, and the future of Cittaslow cities.
Throughout the meeting, a wide range of topics were addressed, including sustainable local development, environmental protection, the preservation of cultural heritage, support for local production, gastronomy, tourism, youth initiatives, and the sharing of experiences among municipalities. At the meeting, where successful initiatives undertaken by Cittaslow municipalities were shared, views were exchanged on mutually evaluating best practices implemented in different regions and transforming these efforts into new joint projects.
Discussions also focused on establishing a stronger and more sustainable cooperation model between the Cittaslow Turkey and Cittaslow TRNC networks, enhancing communication and coordination among municipalities, and developing joint projects.
The Technical Coordination Office of the Cittaslow TRNC Network noted that the meeting represented a significant opportunity for Cittaslow municipalities in the TRNC to increase the sharing of knowledge and experience with their counterparts in Turkey.
SHARED GOAL: MORE LIVABLE CITIES
The meeting—conducted in line with the Cittaslow philosophy of a human-centric, sustainable urban model that preserves local values and prioritizes quality of life—aims to contribute to the further development of cooperation between the two networks in the period ahead.
At the conclusion of the meeting, participants expressed their mutual goodwill and determination to strengthen cooperation based on shared values and goals, and to spread the Cittaslow spirit across a wider geography.
