Brussels — The European Project Agency (EPA) has officially announced the commencement of its activities in Türkiye through its authorised National Operator, Global AI Youth Project and Management Consultancy Services Inc. (Global AI Gençlik Proje ve Yönetim Danışmanlık Hizmetleri A.Ş.), following the implementation of a strategic cooperation framework designed to support long-term institutional development and international project capacity building.
The operational framework entered into force on 11 June 2026 and marks the first phase of EPA’s institutional presence in Türkiye. This milestone has been established with the support of the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Youth and Sports, İzmir Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports, which has been designated as the pilot implementation and reference region for the EPA Türkiye structure and its initial operational deployment.
The cooperation framework aims to contribute to the development of project culture, institutional capacity, international partnerships, and access to European and international funding opportunities across the fields of youth, education, sports, innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, research, digital transformation, and international cooperation.
Türkiye is regarded as one of the most strategically significant countries for international project development due to its young population, extensive higher education network, expanding innovation ecosystem, dynamic entrepreneurial environment, active civil society sector, and growing participation in international programmes. Positioned at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa, Türkiye offers exceptional opportunities for project development, knowledge transfer, institutional capacity building, and sustainable international cooperation.
Through its digital infrastructure, operational methodologies, and international partnership network, EPA seeks to facilitate access to project opportunities for Turkish institutions while strengthening cooperation with European and international stakeholders. Particular emphasis will be placed on knowledge transfer, project management capacity building, consortium development, international networking, institutional modernisation, and digital transformation initiatives.
EPA’s activities in Türkiye will be implemented through a phased and sustainable growth model. The objective extends beyond increasing participation in project programmes and funding mechanisms; it is to establish a long-term project ecosystem capable of generating measurable social, educational, economic, and institutional impact. In line with this vision, EPA intends to support Türkiye’s project development and management capabilities through advanced digital tools, specialised training programmes, expert networks, and international cooperation mechanisms.
EPA’s five-year roadmap foresees the gradual expansion of activities throughout Türkiye. This strategy includes the development of strategic partnerships with public institutions, universities, municipalities, regional development agencies, technology development zones, private sector organisations, and civil society entities. It also encompasses the wider deployment of the MyEPA digital project ecosystem, the strengthening of international project design and management capacities, enhanced access to European Union programmes and international funding instruments, and the establishment of thematic collaboration platforms focusing on artificial intelligence, digital transformation, sustainability, energy, environment, youth, and sports.
The roadmap further includes the organisation of national and international summits, the development of training and certification programmes, the creation of expert networks and knowledge communities, and the promotion of a multi-stakeholder project development culture connecting public institutions, academia, civil society organisations, and the private sector. These initiatives are expected to increase Türkiye’s international visibility, facilitate the formation of new partnerships, and strengthen institutional integration into global project and innovation ecosystems.
EPA also aims to contribute to the enhancement of institutional competencies in project design, consortium management, innovation management, research collaboration, internationalisation processes, and sustainable development strategies. These efforts are expected to strengthen Türkiye’s capacity to generate internationally competitive projects, increase participation in international funding opportunities, and reinforce integration with global cooperation networks.
All activities conducted under the cooperation framework are implemented in accordance with applicable legislation, institutional governance principles, data protection obligations, and EPA’s established operational standards. The implementation model is guided by the principles of transparency, accountability, quality assurance, institutional integrity, and sustainable organisational development.
By combining EPA – European Project Agency’s European expertise in project development and international cooperation with Türkiye’s strong human capital, institutional capabilities, and strategic geopolitical position, the initiative aims to establish a scalable, sustainable, and long-term cooperation model capable of generating significant value for public institutions, academic organisations, civil society entities, and private sector stakeholders.
Disclaimer
This press release is provided for informational purposes only. The information contained herein does not constitute any legal, financial, governmental, regulatory, or institutional commitment. The activities, cooperation frameworks, operational arrangements, and future development plans described herein remain subject to applicable legislation, institutional procedures, internal policies, and the approval processes of the competent authorities. References to cooperation with public institutions relate solely to approved activities and areas of collaboration and shall not be interpreted as an endorsement, sponsorship, or official position of any national, international, or supranational authority. The statements contained in this document do not represent the official views, policies, or positions of the institutions or bodies of the European Union.
