Meetings and Workshops
Second Meeting
Gostivar
2nd Transnational Meeting of the Carelink Project Held in North Macedonia
Supported by the European Union and aiming to strengthen the mental, psychological, and emotional well-being of vulnerable young people during and after disasters, the second Transnational Project Meeting of the CARELINK – Creating a Resilient Environment Project was held on April 3-4, 2025, in Gostivar, North Macedonia, hosted by International Vision University.
The meeting began with an opening speech by International Vision University Vice-Rector Mensur Nureddin, who shared information about the institution. All participants introduced themselves.
During the meeting, the overall progress of the project was evaluated. It was confirmed that the project is proceeding in line with the planned schedule, and no extensions are needed. The interim report is expected to be finalized by the end of April 2025 and submitted to relevant national and international bodies in May.
The titles of the educational modules to be developed within the scope of the project were determined, and the responsibilities of each partner institution were clarified. Contents related to spiritual care, communication techniques, post-disaster trauma, psychosocial resilience, and self-care for youth workers are planned to be completed by the end of 2025.
Workshops held in Poland, Osmaniye (Turkey), and North Macedonia revealed the challenges and needs faced by young people after disasters. According to the findings, young people especially need professional psychological support, safe spaces for sharing, and structured support programs.
The CARELINK Project continues to be an important initiative aimed at showing young people affected by disasters that they are not alone, enhancing their emotional resilience, and making psychological support systems more accessible.
Workshop
Türkiye
Osmaniye Provincial Directorate of National Education organized a workshop for the CareLink Project.
Osmaniye Provincial Directorate of National Education organized a workshop for the CareLink Project.
The workshop titled "Focus Group Discussions on the Mental, Psychological, and Emotional Health of Vulnerable Youth During and After Disasters", organized by the Osmaniye Provincial Directorate of National Education on January 16, 2025, was held at the Osmaniye Teachers' House. The event, conducted as part of the Erasmus+ KA220-YOU Program project "Creating A Resilient Environment – Linking Mental, Psychological, and Emotional Health for Vulnerable Youth During and After Disasters," was successfully completed.
Workshop Objectives
The workshop aimed to address the mental, psychological, and emotional challenges faced by young people during and after disasters and to develop effective strategies to tackle these issues. The event began with an opening speech by project team member Mehmet Ali Savcı, followed by a presentation by Ali Boyraz, the Director of Osmaniye Guidance and Research Center, who shared psychosocial intervention strategies for supporting youth mental health after disasters. Participants engaged in interactive sessions and group discussions, sharing their experiences and insights.
Key Highlights of the Program
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E-Learning Platforms: Mehmet Ali Savcı emphasized the importance of digital solutions for supporting youth mental health after disasters and presented details of the e-learning platform developed within the project.
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Psychosocial Support Strategies: Ali Boyraz discussed intervention methods before, during, and after trauma.
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Participant Feedback: At the end of the workshop, participant feedback was collected, with positive evaluations on the overall quality of the event.
Certificate of Participation
At the conclusion of the workshop, participants were awarded certificates of participation, symbolizing their enhanced knowledge and experience in supporting youth mental health after disasters.
Impact and Future Steps
The event highlighted innovative approaches to supporting the psychological recovery of youth after disasters. Teachers, psychologists, youth workers, and local administrators who attended emphasized the importance of collaboration and increased awareness in this process.
Project Partners
The project is being carried out in cooperation with institutions from Türkiye, Portugal, Poland, and North Macedonia, alongside the Osmaniye Provincial Directorate of National Education.
Participants stressed the need for more frequent workshops of this nature in the future, along with the sharing of practical solutions to enhance resilience after disasters. The ideas and suggestions presented at the event will guide the next phases of the project.
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Partners
Kick - Off Meeting
The transnational initial meeting of the project titled “Creating A Resilient Environment – Linking Mental, Psychological, and Emotional Health for Vulnerable Youth During and After Disasters,” led by Hitit University under the Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnerships in Youth (KA220-YOU) projects, was held in Çorum on October 24-25, 2024.
The project aims to shed light on the unique challenges faced by youth and young people from vulnerable groups after traumatic disasters, to analyze existing gaps in support systems, and to propose evidence-based interventions applicable at local, national, and international levels. Project partners include the International Strategic Management Association (Turkey), Osmaniye Provincial Directorate of National Education (Turkey), International Vision University (Republic of North Macedonia), Wysza Szkola Biznesu I Nauk O Zdrowtu (Poland), and Redefine - Association for Research, Education, and Development (Portugal).
Kick - Off Meeting
Türkiye
The transnational inital meeting of the project titled the Carelink Project led by Hitit University under the Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnership in Youth (KA220-YOU) projects, was held in Çorum on October 24-25, 2024.
Partners
Social Program
BoÄŸazkale, Çorum
As the CareLink Project team, we visited the historical heritage of Çorum on the second day of our meeting.
Social Program of the Carelink Project
BoÄŸazkale, where cultural artifacts from 5,000 years ago have been discovered, is home to Hattusa, the first capital of the Hittites, who established the first organized state. Situated in the heart of Anatolia, Hattusa is one of nine sites in our country included in UNESCO's World Heritage List. BoÄŸazkale is the city where Hattusa, the capital of the Hittite civilization, is located.
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The first settlement began in the Chalcolithic period; during the Early Bronze Age, Hattusa was inhabited by the Hattians, followed by Assyrian trade colonies, and became the capital during the Hittite period. Thus, the true history of the district dates back to around 2000 BCE. The main center of the city is the Great Fortress, while the Lower City houses the Great Temple. Yazilikaya, an open-air sanctuary, is also one of the most important sites of the Hittite civilization. The tablets unearthed here shed light on history.
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