ABOUT
THE:PLACE is a collaborative exchange program designed to establish enduring networks between Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Local Authorities(LAs) in Türkiye and the European Union. Managed by ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy and MAD – Mekanda Adalet Derneği and supported by the Mercator Foundation the program explores empowering its participants through capacity-building activities and grant support for co-designed, exchange-based projects.
PROGRAM & OBJECTIVES
THE:PLACE program is based on the idea that social and spatial challenges encountered in Türkiye and the EU countries often share similar origins, even if they are not exactly the same. Local actors, civil society organizations, and local authorities in this context, have much to gain by collaborating and joining their forces to make a meaningful impact. The program, therefore, targets to enhance CSOs’ capacity and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and cooperation among them. As much, it encourages collaboration with local authorities through quadrilateral partnerships.
1st Edition (2021–2025)
The first edition of THE:PLACE was implemented between November 2021 and October 2025 by ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy and MAD – Center for Spatial Justice, with the support of Stiftung Mercator.
During this period, the programme supported two rounds of beneficiaries and brought together 30 civil society organisations and local authorities from Türkiye and across Europe to develop 15 joint partnerships and projects, exchange knowledge, and build lasting collaborations.
➔ 1st Round: February 2022 – October 2023
➔ 2nd Round: September 2023 – June 2025
The first edition combined capacity-building activities, peer-learning opportunities, study visits, mentoring, and subgrant support for collaborative projects developed and implemented by international partnerships.
2nd Edition (2026–2029)
Building on the experience, partnerships, and lessons learned from the first edition, THE:PLACE entered its second phase in 2026.
The second edition continues to support exchange-based collaboration between civil society organisations and local authorities from Türkiye, the European Union, and with EU enlargement countries in this edition. Alongside international exchange, peer learning, and collaborative project development, it places a stronger emphasis on participatory approaches, citizens’ engagement, and local democracy. Projects addressing climate adaptation and digitalisation are particularly encouraged.
The second edition will support two new rounds of beneficiaries between 2026 and 2029 through networking and matchmaking activities, capacity-building and mentoring programmes, and subgrant support for jointly developed projects. Our first round call for the 2nd edition has recently completed on the 5th of June 2026. Our second round call is on the way in 2027.
Follow our website and THE:PLACE social media account to stay tuned!
PARTICIPANTS
Here you may check 1st and 2nd round participants and explore details of their jointly designed, implemented exchange projects. If you are from an organization looking to engage in such an exchange process while enhancing collaboration with local authorities at the city level, please follow us and wait for the announcements of the next round.
THE:PLACE is inviting non-profit associations, foundations, and cooperatives from both Türkiye and the European Union to participate. There are no specific field requirements for participants, as long as their work aligns and interacts with the overarching framework of Human Rights and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
1st Round Participants
Click on the logos below to explore the first-round partnerships in detail.
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Mekanda Adalet Derneği2023-12-07 16:23:302026-02-06 16:50:29THE:PLACE – 1st Round Projects | Exchange for Equal Public Spaces
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Mekanda Adalet Derneği2023-12-07 16:19:502026-02-06 17:29:35THE:PLACE – 1st Round Projects | Transforming the Local Food System in Istanbul and Setúbal with Local Authorities
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Mekanda Adalet Derneği2023-12-07 15:36:032026-02-06 18:27:34THE:PLACE – 1st Round Projects | Play 2 Gather
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Mekanda Adalet Derneği2023-12-07 14:39:222026-02-06 18:23:11THE:PLACE – 1st Round Projects | emPOWER YOUth
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Mekanda Adalet Derneği2023-12-07 12:07:262026-02-06 18:34:07THE:PLACE – 1st Round Projects | Active Youth – Active City
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Mekanda Adalet Derneği2023-11-14 17:54:502026-02-06 18:18:09THE:PLACE – 1st Round Projects | Learning About The Collective Development and Management of Buildings2nd Round Participants
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Mekanda Adalet Derneği2025-06-16 15:00:552025-11-05 14:00:19THE:PLACE – 2nd Round Projects | SPACES Methodology
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Mekanda Adalet Derneği2025-06-16 14:56:452025-11-13 17:33:25THE:PLACE – 2nd Round Projects | Impact Campaigns for Climate Action
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Mekanda Adalet Derneği2025-06-16 14:48:412025-11-04 13:01:36THE:PLACE – 2nd Round Projects | Digital Democracy Boost
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Mekanda Adalet Derneği2025-06-16 14:42:282025-11-05 15:19:41THE:PLACE – 2nd Round Projects | Youth and Ethic in Fashion
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Mekanda Adalet Derneği2025-06-16 13:45:012025-11-05 13:47:58THE:PLACE – 2nd Round Projects | Community Engagement in Zagreb & Eskişehir
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Mekanda Adalet Derneği2025-06-16 13:30:332025-11-05 10:36:20THE:PLACE – 2nd Round Projects | We Are Strong Together!
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Mekanda Adalet Derneği2025-06-16 13:06:132026-02-26 12:29:31THE:PLACE – 2nd Round Projects | AI for Language Legacy
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Mekanda Adalet Derneği2025-02-06 13:58:392025-11-05 11:16:22THE:PLACE – 2nd Round Projects | Inclusion in Actions
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Mekanda Adalet Derneği2025-01-20 15:52:122025-11-05 14:27:30THE:PLACE – 2nd Round Projects | Cross-cultural Community Network
CALENDAR
This is how the program operates in every round, and the calendar displays the dates for the 1st round of the 2nd edition. The program begins with an open call for applications across Türkiye and the EU. Selected CSOs, chosen based on motivation and organizational capacity, gather through both physical and virtual meetings. During these sessions, participants share what they are good at, their challenges, needs, or interests. Then they collectively shape THE:PLACE’s upcoming capacity-building and peer learning activities. Ultimately, organizations are paired up – one from Türkiye and one from the EU – to collaboratively design and execute projects with the aid of a project grant.
ORGANIZATION
THE:PLACE is jointly managed by ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy and MAD – Mekanda Adalet Derneği and supported by the Mercator Foundation since 2021.
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Mekanda Adalet Derneği2026-05-06 00:28:312026-05-20 11:47:50Applications are now open for THE:PLACE Programme (2nd Edition)!
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Mekanda Adalet Derneği2024-08-14 12:31:462024-08-14 12:39:03THE:PLACE / Online Learning Programme
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Mekanda Adalet Derneği2023-12-15 17:13:092023-12-15 17:23:25THE:PLACE is in its new interface!NEWS
News, happenings, applications etc…
CONTACT
Get in touch with THE:PLACE team:
info@theplaceprogramme.org
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