Within the scope of the Erasmus+ "Youth Participation Model for AI-Supported Inclusive Governance (IMPACT HUB)" Project, coordinated by Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality and with Erzurum Technical University (ETU) as a project partner, meetings, institutional visits, and training activities were held in the Ponte di Piave, Treviso, Padova, and Veneto regions of Italy between July 6-10.
During the contacts held within the scope of the program, project activities were evaluated, and the development of international collaborations, applications to strengthen the participation of young people in decision-making processes, and new work opportunities in the field of AI-supported governance were discussed.
IMPACT HUB Project Aims to Strengthen Youth Participation in Governance
The IMPACT HUB Project aims to strengthen the understanding of governance, support digital transformation, share international best practices, and develop innovative models that will enable young people to contribute more effectively to the formation of local policies, all through AI-powered simulations and digital tools that allow young people to actively participate in the decision-making processes of local governments.
Project Partners Meet in Ponte Di Piave
On the first day of the program, the Second Transnational Project Meeting (TPM2) was held in Ponte di Piave, hosted by Ponte di Piave Mayor Matteo Buso, Deputy Mayor Sergio Lorenzon, and Project Manager Handan Akarsu Scarabello.
The meeting was attended by Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mehmet Sekmen, Erzurum Technical University Rector Prof. Dr. Bulent Cakmak, Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Secretary General Ibrahim Sekmen, Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality Head of Foreign Relations Department Eren Izcioglu, Erzurum Technical University Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences Lecturer Assoc. Dr. Mehmet Emirhan Kula, and representatives of project partners from Italy, Romania, and France participated in the meeting.
During the meeting, the activities carried out so far within the scope of the project were evaluated, and future work was planned. In addition, new international cooperation opportunities that could be developed between cities and institutions were discussed.
New Cooperation Opportunities with the University of Padova Evaluated
As part of the program, meetings were also held with Prof. Dr. Antonio Iudici, Head of the Psychology Department and General Manager of Psicopraxis at the University of Padova.
In the meetings, artificial intelligence, social innovation, and new international projects that could be developed within the scope of the Erasmus+ program were evaluated. The parties exchanged ideas on strengthening academic collaborations and increasing joint project development processes.
Meetings Held on International Cooperation with Local Governments
On the second day of the program, meetings were held with the Deputy Mayor of Treviso, Alessandro Manera, and the Deputy Mayor responsible for Education, Gloria Sernagiotto.
The discussions focused on international collaborations that could be developed between local governments, best practices in education, and new joint projects that could be implemented under the Erasmus+ program.
The delegation then met with the Deputy Mayor of the Regione del Veneto responsible for Social Policies and Culture, Paola Roma. The meeting evaluated joint projects that could be developed between regional and local governments, social innovation initiatives, and new cooperation opportunities that could be carried out under Erasmus+.
Young People Received AI-Powered Governance Training
As part of the project, 16 young people from Turkey, Italy, France, and Romania participated in the Learning, Teaching and Training Activities (LTTA) program, held between July 6-10, receiving training on AI-powered governance, digital participation, active citizenship, and international project development.
Thanks to the training program that brought together young people from different countries, participants shared knowledge and experiences, while also contributing to the development of an international cooperation culture.
The IMPACT HUB Project aims to strengthen the participation of young people in the decision-making processes of local governments through innovative AI-powered applications, support digital transformation, and spread the concept of inclusive governance in Europe.
Mayor Sekmen: "We are Strengthening Our International Collaborations"
Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mehmet Sekmen stated that Erasmus+ projects are important platforms that increase the international visibility of cities, adding, "With the IMPACT HUB Project, which we are coordinating, we aim to develop innovative applications that will enable young people to participate more effectively in decision-making processes. During our contacts in Italy, we had the opportunity to strengthen our existing partnerships as well as evaluate new cooperation opportunities. We are working together with local governments, universities, and international stakeholders..."
