The award nominee My Project İstanbul aims at supporting research projects, graduate and postgraduate dissertations related to the work of the Municipality within the framework of protocols executed with all of the 22 universities in İstanbul. Since its inception in June 2006, 372 project entries, out of which 141 was admitted, have been received. My Project İstanbul supports projects that are feasible to be applied in public services within the Municipality’s scope of duties and that might help improve the living standards in İstanbul. The related public service sectors are mobility; infrastructure, environment and energy use; planning and development; disaster and risk management; culture and tourism; and health, social aid and well being. 32 projects have been finalized so far.
EUROCITIES is a network established in 1986 that gathers 179 European cities, municipalities and other forms of local authorities from more than 30 European countries. EUROCITIES provides a platform for promoting exchanges, analyzing common problems and producing effective responses. EUROCITIES is in close relation with the European Union Institutions, through this it can afford its members having their say in the Community’s decision making processes, policy agenda and work programme. This network is actively involved in economic development and cohesion policy; provision of public services; environment; mobility and transportation; employment and social affairs; culture, education, information and knowledge society; governance and international cooperation. İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality became an associated member in EUROCITIES since November 2004, whereas full membership is confined to cities from EU member countries only.
Shortlisted entries are listed at EUROCITIES 2008 AGM website and can be accessed through the link below:
http://www.eurocities2008.eu/page.php?id=54