Çorlu Municipality

Çorlu Municipality is a public institution established in 1877, located in northwestern Türkiye. Serving a population of nearly 300,000 residents—including approximately 90,000 young people—the municipality operates with more than 1,000 employees and 28 directorates. Its service areas span a wide spectrum including urban planning, social services, youth work, cultural development, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, climate action, and international cooperation. The municipality holds a strategic vision that combines local development with European values. Through its Strategy Development Directorate, Çorlu Municipality designs, coordinates, and implements national and EU-funded projects, particularly in the fields of youth empowerment, inclusion of disadvantaged groups, climate resilience, and active citizenship. The municipality has successfully participated in multiple cross-border initiatives, including Erasmus+ KA210-YOU, Black Sea Basin programmes, and bilateral cooperation projects. Çorlu is a signatory of the Covenant of Mayors and completed its Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) in 2023. One of the flagship implementations of this plan is the Carport Model Solar Energy System Project, developed in partnership with the Central Project Management Agency (CPMA) and supported by the European Union. Internationally recognized for its active European engagement, Çorlu was named European Sports City 2020 by ACES Europe, received the European Diploma in 2022, and was awarded the European Honour Flag in 2025, becoming the only Turkish municipality to receive the distinction that year. The municipality also actively celebrates and contributes to European values through events such as European Mobility Week, European Local Democracy Week, Europe Day, European Week of Sport, and International Yoga Day. It fosters citizen participation through the establishment of Children’s, Women’s, and Disabled Councils, and is currently forming a Youth Council to enhance democratic engagement among young residents. In addition, Çorlu Municipality places strong emphasis on social inclusion. A recent example includes the project "Empowering Women through Vocational Training", funded by the UK’s Bilateral Cooperation Programme, which provided 70 Roman mothers with training and economic inclusion opportunities. The municipality is a member of various international networks, such as the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye, NALAS (Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe), and BABLE Smart Cities. It holds ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certifications, ensuring quality and secure urban governance practices. Çorlu Municipality remains committed to strengthening its international partnerships and enhancing its institutional capacity in line with EU standards, with a particular focus on youth participation, solidarity, and sustainability.