3 June 2026, Istanbul, Türkiye – As part of Istanbul Zero Waste Week, held under the auspices of the Zero Waste Foundation and the Governorship of Istanbul, an Underwater Waste Collection and Cleanup Dive was launched from BAU Port into the Bosphorus. The event was organized in collaboration with BAU BUSAK, BAU ELSP, CIFAL Istanbul, UNITAR, and Bahçeşehir University.
Diving from BAU Port, BUSAK (Bahçeşehir University Underwater Student Club) students and teams from the Turkish Coast Guard Command collected waste accumulated beneath the waters of the Bosphorus. Aiming to protect marine ecosystems and draw attention to underwater pollution, the activity also enabled university students to take an active role in addressing environmental challenges.
During the dives, a wide range of waste materials that could harm the marine ecosystem was removed from the depths of the Bosphorus, including vehicle tyres, plastic products, packaging waste, and various everyday items. The waste collected during the activity once again highlighted the effects of unsustainable consumption habits and discarded materials on the seas and underwater life.While removing the waste, the diving teams also encountered small crabs and various shellfish that had taken shelter inside or around the discarded materials. The marine creatures were carefully separated from the waste and released back into the sea so that they could continue living in their natural habitats. In this way, the activity prioritized not only the removal of underwater waste but also the protection of marine life throughout the cleanup process.
An underwater lighting device developed by Bahçeşehir University was used during the dives. By supporting the divers’ visibility beneath the surface, the device demonstrated how scientific and technological solutions developed within universities can be applied in field activities aimed at protecting the environment and natural ecosystems.
The underwater cleanup contributed to raising public awareness of marine pollution, responsible waste management, and the protection of natural resources. Bringing together public institutions, academia, and university students around a shared environmental goal, the event emphasized that cleaner seas and healthier ecosystems can only be achieved through cooperation and a collective sense of responsibility.
Held as part of Istanbul Zero Waste Week, the activity represented an important step towards protecting the natural heritage of the Bosphorus and leaving future generations a cleaner, more liveable, and more sustainable environment.
Istanbul, Türkiye – 21 April 2025, In celebration of World Art Day, Bahçeşehir University’s Departments of International Trade and Business and Economics and Finance, in collaboration with CIFAL Istanbul, brought together students, academics, and creatives for an enriching event exploring the intersection between art and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Participants visited the Mona Art Gallery, where Architect Sena Özgürcan guided attendees through a curated selection of artworks related to sustainability. The exhibition featured distinguished Turkish painters and sculptors whose pieces addressed themes such as ecological balance, urban transformation, and climate responsibility. Through open discussion, students and guests reflected on the connections between these works and various SDGs—particularly in terms of awareness, emotional engagement, and long-term impact. Among the highlights was Dear Sinan Balta’s watercolor series “Spring in Istanbul,” which provided a poetic and vivid interpretation of urban seasonality and local environmental heritage.
Finally, a dialogue between CIFAL Istanbul and Mona Art Gallery explored future collaborative opportunities to further integrate art into sustainability initiatives. The event reaffirmed the profound potential of creative disciplines not only to communicate complex global challenges, but also to mobilize communities, inspire action, and contribute meaningfully to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The program concluded with a field visit to Kuzguncuk Orchard, where Prof. Ahu Ergen, Head of the International Trade and Business Department, introduced students to an exemplary model of urban agriculture. Located in the heart of the city, this orchard allows citizens to engage directly with sustainable living practices, offering a tangible connection between local community empowerment and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
6 February 2025, Malatya, Türkiye – In the second anniversary of the devastating February 6 Earthquakes, CIFAL Istanbul, in collaboration with the Bright Futures Foundation, and with the support of Bahçeşehir University and UNITAR, carried out a four-day impactful field visit to Malatya, one of the most affected regions. Between February 3rd and 6th, the CIFAL Istanbul team visited schools and temporary accommodation centers to support the educational and emotional recovery of children affected by the disaster.
Throughout the visit, a wide array of hands-on workshops and interactive activities were conducted to empower children through science, environmental awareness, and creativity. At Beydağı Temporary Accommodation Center, the team spent quality time with Syrian children affected by the earthquake, painting, talking, and organizing art-based activities inside the container homes, offering moments of joy and connection.
On 4 February, CIFAL Istanbul and Bright Futures Foundation, in collaboration with the BilimSenOl Platform, visited Yenice Secondary School in Darende and hosted science workshops introducing children to basic chemistry through natural hand-sanitizer experiments made from essential oils and vinegar. These workshops not only fostered creativity but also demonstrated the practical use of science in daily life, sparking hope and enthusiasm.
On 5 February, CIFAL Istanbul and Bright Futures Foundation visited Şehit Aytaç Altunörs Primary and Secondary School, where they carried out a multifaceted day of support. With the partnership of Bahçeşehir University, books were donated to help enrich the school’s library—offering children expanded access to learning resources, imagination, and healing. On the same day, a Seed Ball Workshop was organized using recycled newspaper, flower seeds, soil, and cinnamon powder. Following this, students planted saplings in the schoolyard, strengthening their bond with the environment and learning about biodiversity, waste reduction, and eco-friendly production methods. These activities reinforced SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 15: Life on Land by promoting both academic growth and sustainability awareness.
The event series also included team games, sustainability-themed discussions, and meaningful conversations with students and teachers about the road ahead. These collective experiences emphasized the importance of unity, empathy, and shared responsibility in recovery and rebuilding processes.
“The solidarity shown in the face of the February 6 Earthquakes reminds us that building a better future begins with unity, empathy, and shared action—first at the individual level, and then globally.”
CIFAL Istanbul extends its heartfelt thanks to all participants, educators, students, and especially to the Bright Futures Foundation, Bahçeşehir University, and UNITAR for their unwavering support. These efforts underline CIFAL Istanbul’s continued commitment to promoting sustainable development and empowering children through education, creativity, and compassion.
This field visit reflected CIFAL Istanbul’s belief in building hope through education, sustainability, and solidarity—planting the seeds of a stronger future, one child at a time.
STEP Ambassadors Development Journey has begun with the cooperation of Yapı Kredi Banking Academy, Bahçeşehir University & CIFAL Istanbul! We aim to create STEP Ambassadors who value the world and nature and embrace the importance of sustainable life.
Within the scope of the STEP Ambassadors Development Journey Program, it is planned to provide sustainability literacy trainings for Yapı Kredi Bank employees in cooperation with Yapı Kredi Bank, CIFAL Istanbul, UNITAR and Bahçeşehir University, in order to increase the efforts to reflect the sustainability vision of the institution and to increase the knowledge of the employees on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Within the scope of this program, a curriculum of 16 sessions, three sessions a week, will be studied with the trainers to be determined by CIFAL Istanbul via the Webex platform of Yapı Kredi.
