Zeytince association

Zeytince Association for Supporting Ecological Life is a community-based civil society organisation founded in İzmir, Türkiye, in 2013. It works at the intersection of ecological literacy, agroecology, local food systems, olive culture, biodiversity, circular economy, rural development, climate action, and cultural heritage. The organisation positions sustainability as a social, cultural, and economic transition rather than only an environmental one. It brings together citizens, local producers, municipalities, universities, and other civil society actors through participatory learning, co-creation, and Living Lab methods, with a strong focus on the İzmir Peninsula and Karaburun. Zeytince also operates the Zeytin School in Karaburun as a place-based learning hub. There, it hosts workshops, seminars, research, and community activities related to agroecology, ecological literacy, olive culture, and heritage. Core Values Living in harmony with nature : Zeytince emphasizes respect for ecological systems, biodiversity, and planetary limits in all of its work. Participation and co-creation : It believes durable solutions emerge when different perspectives, experiences, and stakeholders learn and act together. Place-based thinking : The organisation values local knowledge, culture, and identity, and roots its work in the landscapes and communities of the İzmir Peninsula. Bridging knowledge and practice : It connects scientific knowledge with field experience so that ideas can become usable, real-world actions. Partnership and solidarity : Zeytince works through long-term collaboration with public institutions, producers, universities, civil society, and citizens. Learning and innovation : It uses participatory methods, Living Labs, and experimentation to develop new approaches to ecological and social transformation. Unique Aspects Strong olive-culture identity : Zeytince is deeply rooted in the olive landscapes, local food systems, and cultural heritage of the İzmir Peninsula. Zeytin School in Karaburun : Its Olive School serves as a dedicated community learning center for agroecology, biodiversity, ecological literacy, and heritage activities. Living Lab methodology : The organisation uses field-based co-design and participatory learning as a core working method, not just as an occasional project tool. European project partnerships : Zeytince has participated in Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020 projects, including ruralCOMMONS, Like-A-Pro, and PSLifestyle, extending its local work into European collaboration. Olive Route contribution : It helped shape the Olive Route and contributed to the olive inventory work behind the İzmir Peninsula cultural route. Olive fruit fly project experience : Zeytince worked with İzmir Metropolitan Municipality on a project to reduce olive fruit fly pressure through producer meetings, training, and mass trapping in Karaburun.