Hicran Çiğdem Yorgancıoğlu, a senior editor at Enerji Gazetesi and an expert in Energy Contracts (Forensic Expert), participated in the launch reception of the “Geleceğe Değer” (Value to the Future) project. The event was organized by Entek Elektrik, an energy company growing with Koç Holding’s renewable energy investments, and the Sustainability Steps Association (Sürdürülebilirlik Adımları Derneği), hosted at Divan Kuruçeşme. Yorgancıoğlu attended as a press guest and shared her impressions of the event, her own educational projects, and the inspiration she received, with Turkey News Portal. She mentioned that, due to the intersections with her own MIM CHI 360 and CLC 360 Interactive Sustainability Training-Workshop projects, she was very excited about this collaboration between Entek and the Sustainability Steps Association, finding it meaningful in terms of raising awareness and adding value to society. She continued her speech by saying:
“The idea and will to professionally implement the comprehensive experience, strategic mindset, and ability to deliver extraordinary results for the younger generation with a sense of social responsibility always catches my attention. I had a brief and efficient conversation with Entek Elektrik Senior Sustainability Manager Ece Caymaz, SADE (Sustainability Steps Association) President Emrah Kurum, and Board Member Doğa Tamer during the launch. I don’t know if we will collaborate on future projects, but I hope so. Even if not, it was a good introduction, as being in similar fields will always inspire each other, and those walking on shared goals will find their paths crossing eventually. I appreciate their efforts. From the beginning, I can say that it was an event I’m glad to have attended and one I truly admired.”
The launch meeting of the “Geleceğe Değer” project, which was realized in collaboration with Koç Holding’s renewable energy investments and Entek Elektrik, was held at Divan Kuruçeşme. The project aims to guide future energy world leaders and those wishing to pursue careers in renewable energy. The project was first launched at the Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Vocational School in the Electrical Department. As the country moves toward becoming a strong regional leader through its potential and renewable energy investments, the “Geleceğe Değer” project aims to contribute to this transformation. New projects are on the way in Kırklareli, Edirne, and Ankara. The slogan “Geleceğe Değer” is very creative when read in two ways. If I were to add a slogan to it, I would probably say: “GELECEĞİN DEĞERİNİ DÜŞÜRMEYEN GELECEĞE DEĞER” (Those who don’t diminish the value of the future, add value to the future) – “DEĞERLİLERİMİZ VE DEĞERLERİMİZE DEĞEN GELECEĞE DEĞER” (Those who add value to our valuable ones and values add value to the future).”

Firstly, in general terms, the increasing awareness of environmental issues has led to a growing interest in sustainability projects in educational environments. This is a global trend. High schools have started to embrace the idea of becoming centers for renewable energy experiments and ecological management. Programs promoting recycling, energy conservation, and the implementation of renewable energy have become an integral part of the curriculum. These projects not only educate students about sustainability but also develop a culture of environmental responsibility. Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal have become increasingly important. Technological advancements and decreasing costs have made these options more accessible. For example, schools implementing solar panels can significantly reduce energy costs while offering students hands-on learning experiences. Through these projects, students can learn about solar energy systems, their advantages, and their role in combating climate change.
Schools in various regions have adopted innovative projects aimed at utilizing renewable resources. For instance, the Solar Schools Initiative in the United States allows high schools to install solar panels with financial support from government programs and local organizations. Through this initiative, students can monitor the system’s performance, participate in financial literacy discussions about return on investment, and learn about the environmental impact of solar energy. This project exemplifies how schools can become living laboratories for sustainability. Similarly, there are various initiatives and projects of different scales in Russia, continental Europe, and many other continents.
The impact of such initiatives goes beyond immediate educational benefits. By participating in sustainability projects, students often experience a heightened sense of impact. They become participants in larger social movements aimed at combating climate change. This empowerment can translate into lifelong habits and a commitment to sustainability in both their personal and professional lives. Participation in these projects enhances critical thinking skills and encourages students to seek solutions to real-world problems. Moreover, the diverse perspectives in sustainability discourse highlight the importance of collaboration and inclusivity. Including students from different backgrounds fosters richer discussions about environmental issues. To accommodate diverse perspectives, schools can create interdisciplinary projects that integrate science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) or STEM. With this approach, students can explore sustainable solutions from multiple perspectives while analyzing local environmental issues.
As renewable energy technologies continue to develop, high schools will have more opportunities to implement innovative solutions. For example, greater integration of smart technologies could facilitate energy management and efficiency. Students could learn how to monitor their energy consumption in real-time and make data-driven decisions, promoting a culture of accountability.
Chi Lange Challenge CLC 360-MIM CHI 360 Programs and CRM Crew Resource Management Applicability
The Chi Lange Challenge CLC 360-MIM CHI 360 Drama Dance Theatre Philosophy Math programs provide training that equips students with the essential skills needed to lead digital and sustainable transformation in future work environments. We offer voluntary support to schools as part of our social responsibility initiatives. In the MIM CHI 360 workshops, children, youth, and adults come together to work on advanced transformation projects, finding creative, solution-focused answers to reduce waste and carbon footprints. You will receive personalized alerts and regular tips to help you achieve these goals.
The CLC 360-MIM CHI 360 programs train students to lead digital and sustainable transformation in future work environments and provide solutions for the industry’s need for a qualified workforce, equipping them with ethical and agile leadership and essential skills. We also offer DESIGN-FOCUSED INTERACTIVE training sessions and volunteer support to schools as part of our social responsibility. In this context, the topic is extremely exciting. Young people are crucial because they will design, build, and manage sustainable business practices in the future. It is wonderful to imagine this in the near future. Agile young people will analyze big data to reduce environmental impact, manage businesses that solve social and environmental challenges, lead corporate social responsibility initiatives, develop machine learning models for green technologies, innovate in sustainable technology products and services, develop sustainability-focused growth strategies, and manage nonprofit organizations for societal impact. In short, trusting young people to shape our future and investing in them is a beautiful and worthwhile effort that should be supported. Projects like these also provide young people with the opportunity to understand the dynamics of corporate life and sustainability, helping them navigate the trajectory of their professional careers.
Furthermore, such programs help crew members develop the necessary skills to successfully anticipate and recognize hazards and then rectify situations. This is something we value in the MIM CHI – CLC 360 programs as well. In addition to the aviation and maritime sectors, Crew Resource Management (CRM) is becoming increasingly valuable in areas such as healthcare and energy. In this context, CRM is a protective shield against accidents, near-misses, or disasters caused by “human error” and is applicable to school project work. Concepts like effective communication, leadership, human factors, and error prevention are essential for ethical decision-making processes. On top of that, skills such as situational awareness, planning, delegation, guidance, and facilitation (making things easier) can be adapted for agile team collaboration, which can elevate the effectiveness of project activities to an even higher level. Through CLC Programs, the qualified workforce identified as a need during the project’s needs analysis can become more accessible. Emrah Kurum, President of the Sustainability Steps Association, stated that the needs analysis conducted as part of the “Geleceğe Değer” project reveals how the challenges young people face in their career choices, including perceptions like blue-collar vs white-collar jobs and various biases, as well as the renewable energy sector’s needs, can be addressed through a holistic approach. This approach to addressing the root causes of problems makes it easier to identify solutions.
The answer to the question, “What inspired Çiğdem Yorgancıoğlu about the project launch?” can be found in the press release below, which outlines the panorama of the event. Further details about the event can also be followed in both Turkish and English in Çiğdem Yorgancıoğlu’s column in Enerji Gazetesi.

Entek Elektrik Prepares Vocational School Students for the Future with Sustainability Steps Association
The “Geleceğe Değer” project, launched by Entek Elektrik, a renewable energy company of Koç Holding, and the Sustainability Steps Association, aims to provide qualified field workers to the renewable energy sector. The project offers a wide range of training opportunities, from digital technologies to analytical skills, and provides students with an opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the industry through field visits and hands-on activities, shaping their careers according to their goals. The extensive training program addresses the industry’s need for qualified workforce while also providing students with a strong foundation for their future careers.
“We are also providing a solution to the industry’s need for qualified workforce”
Entek Elektrik General Manager Bilal Tuğrul Kaya highlighted the origin and benefits of the project, saying, “The story behind the creation of ‘Geleceğe Değer’ began when we observed that students graduating from the relevant departments of vocational schools were unaware of the opportunities in the renewable energy sector. We wanted to take concrete steps to help these students realize their potential and train the energy workforce of the future. Thus, we conducted a comprehensive needs analysis with the participation of academics, public institutions, private sector representatives, and NGOs. The findings from this study, aimed at understanding both the students’ needs and the sector’s expectations, formed the basis of the training program. As a result of this analysis, we developed a training program that would not only help students adapt to the business world but also equip them with the 21st-century skills they need. Seeing the interest and enthusiasm of young people for the sector and their eagerness to pursue careers in this field during our training sessions that started in December at Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University was both inspiring and a source of pride for us.”
“We prepared a comprehensive training program based on needs and expectations”
Entek Elektrik Group Director of Shared Services and Transformation Ömer Gün explained how the project took shape within the Entek culture, saying: “At Entek, the core of our corporate culture is valuing people. We know that the sustainable success of institutions depends on having competent and skilled employees. With this awareness, we aim to invest in the development of our colleagues, bringing young people who possess a culture of continuous learning, can read the spirit of the times, and look to the future with hope into the workforce. At Entek, our field employees follow technological developments and actively use them in business processes, work in teams, and have high analytical thinking skills. These competencies are crucial in the development of the renewable energy sector, and vocational schools play a key role in this process.”
“In the ‘Geleceğe Değer’ project, our goal is to equip the future of our country, the youth, with skills and awareness in areas such as digital technologies, communication, problem-solving, and environmental and social responsibility. At the same time, we aim to support their development through field visits and hands-on training where they will meet with industry professionals. With our innovative training programs and field visits, we aim to take our students’ competence not only academically but also in practical skills to the next level.”
Sustainability Steps Association President Emrah Kurum shared the results of the needs analysis conducted during the initial phase of the project, providing insights into vocational school students’ career choices:
“Through the needs analysis conducted as part of the ‘Geleceğe Değer’ project, we aimed to better understand the challenges young people face in their career choices and the needs of the renewable energy sector. Based on interviews with stakeholders ranging from private sector employees and academics to students, public institutions, and NGOs, we identified significant barriers faced by young people, including economic concerns, difficulty following current changes, lack of field visits, and limited access to career opportunities.”
“During the interviews, while the importance of technical knowledge, communication skills, and a willingness to continuously learn was emphasized in the renewable energy sector, we found that there was a lack of knowledge about the sector and insufficient field visits. Additionally, factors such as the lack of inspiring role models and internship opportunities were found to hinder young people from pursuing careers in the sector. This analysis not only helped us uncover the existing issues but also provided concrete recommendations for strengthening collaboration between academia, public and private sectors, renewing educational content, and ensuring that young people look at their careers with hope.”