Director of Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) Environmental Problems Application and Research Center (ÇEVSAM) Prof. Dr. Yüksel Ardalı met with BIGG entrepreneurs in a Samsun Technopark organization.
In the online program called "Green Transformation for Sustainable Life", moderated by Dr. Selin Ceren Yamak, Dr. Ardalı gave information about the green initiative, green deal, BIGG projects and environmental restoration and answered the questions of the entrepreneurs.
Emphasizing the importance of the European Green Deal at the beginning of her talk, Dr. Ardalı said, "The Green Deal has become very important for the world and our country; it is no longer possible to solve the problems within the borders of the country. The green deal strategy is a strategy that demonstrates the determination of the European Union (EU) to tackle the issues related to climate change and environmental pollution. Why urgent green growth? Because we consume more than 60 per cent of the world's production capacity due to excessive consumption. If it goes like this, we will need three Earths by 2050. We produce a lot of waste, wasting billions of tons that could be used as a resource. Electronic waste amounts to 625 billion dollars and textile waste to 500 billion dollars. We are releasing too many emissions into the atmosphere and harming our resources."
Talking about green entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs in this field in her speech, Dr. Ardalı continued: "Green entrepreneurship, in its most general definition, is the development and marketing of products and services that are considered environmentally safe. The main difference that distinguishes the green entrepreneur from the traditional entrepreneur is that the green entrepreneur wants to create a business model that is economically profitable and environmentally friendly, creating social value. On the other hand, these people are environmentally friendly in their activities and growth strategies. In addition, they provide products and services to contribute to a better world and living spaces while meeting the needs of society."
In the following parts of the conversation, Ardalı drew attention to the scope of the Green Deal and the BIGG project areas. These are; "Biodiversity" (Limited pesticide use, increasing the number of pollinators and afforestation), "From Farm to Table" (Sustainable agriculture and food production, reducing food waste), "Clean Energy" (Affordable and safe), "Sustainable Industry" (Environmentally friendly, sustainable industrial production), "Construction and Renovation" (Zero-emission and self-powered buildings), "Sustainable and Intelligent Transport" (Rail and maritime transport, low-emission vehicles, alternative green fuels), "Pollution Elimination" (environmental alternatives to hazardous chemicals, zero pollution).
Ardalı stated that students enrolled in any associate, undergraduate, graduate or doctoral program and graduates of any associate, undergraduate, graduate or doctoral program can apply to BIGG projects. She also shared the following information: "Applicants must have not previously received support under the Ministry of Industry and Technology Techno-enterprise Capital Support or the second phase of the TÜBİTAK 1512 Program, and must not have been involved in the partnership structure of any enterprise as of the pre-application date. Within the scope of the call; Applications for business ideas that will be transformed into innovation-oriented products and services with verified commercial value in priority research and development (R&D) and innovation that serve green growth will be accepted."
At the end of the interview, moderator Dr. Selin Ceren Yamak thanked the guest Prof. Dr. Yüksel Ardalı and reminded the participants that the applications for the TÜBİTAK Entrepreneurship Support Program (BIGG) 2022-2 "Green Growth" project have been extended until August 24, 2022, and called on entrepreneurs to make a preliminary application.
You can access the pre-application form from the link below:
https://forms.gle/cxhqFxKYzgxjiu71A
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