The first year of the "Identification and Remediation of Contaminated Sites with Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Project" which is implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization in close cooperation with the UNDP, was completed.

Having commenced on 9^th of October 2019 with a duration of 36 months, the project aims at protecting human health and environment from adverse effects of Persistent Organic Pollutants and other hazardous substances especially in contaminated sites through enhancing the implementing capacity of EU POPs Regulation and Soil Contamination Strategy.

The project’s objective and activities were shared with 158 participants at Launch Event, which was held on October 14^th, 2019 in Ankara. Senior representatives from the UNDP, EUD, Ministry of Environment and Urbanization gave presentations and participants from the Directorate for EU Affairs, Ministry of Industry and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, companies certified by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization and relevant stakeholders attended this event.

Activities have been conducted to strengthen technical and institutional capacity and increase institutional experience during the first year. Despite the adverse effects of COVID-19 outbreak, online training and workshops were organized with the participation of Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, Provincial Directorates, and relevant public institutions. More than 100 representatives attended these events.

In the first year of the project, which is to be implemented for 2 years, public institutions were interviewed for rehabilitation works to be carried out in the pilot sites. Rehabilitation studies which are to be conducted in the pilot sites in the next period, will be a reference to other studies in Turkey.

To find out more about the project, visit the project website.