The Water Fellowship Project, implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (TOB), the Ministry of National Education (MEB) and TEMA Foundation, continues to provide important information to children and teachers about the protection of water resources and the efficient use of water. Disseminated within the scope of the Mobilization for Water Efficiency with the cooperation protocol signed in April, the project continues its work without losing momentum in the 2024-2025 academic year.
As our country is located in the Mediterranean zone, we feel the effects of global climate change more intensely today, and due to the rapid population growth and industrialization, the protection of water resources is of vital importance. Based on this fact, the Mobilization for Water Efficiency, launched as an important initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in 2023, aims to protect water resources in Türkiye and use water efficiently and to raise public awareness on this issue. In our country, 77% of annual freshwater is used for agriculture and 23% for drinking and industrial purposes. Accordingly, various strategies are devised to reduce water losses and increase efficiency.
In this context, education activities continue in schools with the Water Fellowship Project. The project aims to raise awareness among individuals and in society. While face-to-face activity activities continue in classes in the new academic year, the project will be open to all teachers on the digital platform. The aim of the project is to raise awareness among children about the importance of water resources for life, water ecosystems, water efficiency and water footprint.
The Water Fellowship Project teaches children the importance of water for all living things
The project explains how valuable water is to life in a fun and interactive way, with educational materials specially designed for 3rd and 4th graders.
The activities under the scope of the project address the topics of water resources in our world, water cycle, aquatic ecosystems and the creatures living in them, water footprint, water usage, water saving and efficiency. At the same time, children have the opportunity to volunteer to protect water in their homes and schools.
Various materials prepared for the project, such as an application guide, educational presentation, animated film and children's book, aim to increase children's curiosity about water resources. Each child participating in the event is given a letter to share what they have learned with their families and friends; those who complete the tasks in the letter as volunteers receive a "Water Volunteer" ID card. Reaching 5,000 children in 183 classes in the spring of 2024, the project aims to reach a total of 10,000 children in one year, with a target of 5,000 children in the fall.
Full support from authorities to Water Fellowship Project
Regarding the protocol signed in April to disseminate the actions taken within the scope of the Mobilization for Water Efficiency, TOB, MEB and TEMA Foundation officials emphasized the project's contribution to efforts of Türkiye to protect water resources.
Afire Sever, Director General of TOB DG for Water Management, stated that the project will contribute to the sustainable management of national water resources and said, "The effects of global climate change on water resources are felt increasingly. At this point, the Water Fellowship Project raises important awareness for future generations to cope with water crises. As the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, we will continue to provide all support for the efficient use of water."
Ömür Fatih Karakullukçu, Director General of MEB DG for Support Services, drew attention to the importance of the education aspect of the project and said, "With the Water Fellowship Project, we are raising awareness among our children about the indispensable place of water in the lives of all living things. With such projects we implement in schools, we aim to build this awareness not only among children but also among their families. As the Ministry of National Education, we are aware of our responsibility in this project as well, as in every project that will increase awareness of environment, and we will continue to support the activities."
Deniz Ataç, Chair of Board of Directors of the TEMA Foundation, emphasized that water is not a resource but an asset, and said, "With the Water Fellowship Project, we aim to explain that water is not only necessary for drinking, but also for the production of everything we eat, wear and buy, and most importantly, it is the source of life for all living things on our planet. With this project, carried out within the scope of the Mobilization for Water Efficiency, we aim to make a significant contribution to the protection of water by raising awareness of water assets among children."
The project supports awareness of water with educational materials
The project takes an important step towards the goals of protecting water resources of Türkiye and encouraging sustainable use. In addition, the Water Fellowship Project offers an important opportunity to raise awareness about the protection of natural resources. Teachers can easily access all educational materials developed within the scope of the project from the website “Su TEMA”.
For more information and updates about the project, you can visit the TEMA Foundation's communication channels and the website “sutema.org”.
We are raising hope! The TEMA Foundation
