Birgi Village in İzmir Becomes a Model for Sustainable Tourism in Türkiýe

The historic village of Birgi in İzmir province, Türkiýe, is becoming an eco-friendly tourist destination as part of the SENTRUM project, aimed at promoting sustainable tourism and supporting the local economy. The initiative is jointly implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Türkiýe’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), and Enerjisa Enerji, as reported by the Turkish Embassy in Turkmenistan.

Birgi, known for its preserved Seljuk and Ottoman architectural heritage, was named one of the "Best Tourism Villages" by UNDP in 2022. Located in Türkiýe’s Aegean region, the village invites visitors to immerse themselves in centuries of history while strolling cobblestone streets lined with traditional 12th-century houses. The new SENTRUM project center in Birgi serves as a coordination hub for environmental and cultural transformations within the village.

The center focuses on advancing sustainable solutions ranging from energy efficiency and cultural heritage preservation to empowering women and youth. Programs promoting climate change awareness and community involvement are also underway. The active participation of women in decision-making makes the project an example of an inclusive approach to development.

SENTRUM aims to establish Birgi as a year-round tourist destination based on an environmentally sustainable development model. The center plans to continue expanding partnerships and increasing local engagement to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project’s achievements and to set a precedent for other regions in Türkiýe.