About Us

Zeytince Association for Supporting Ecological Life (Zeytince) is a community-based civil society organisation founded in İzmir, Türkiye, in 2013 to promote ecological living and contribute to the transition towards more sustainable and resilient communities.

We believe that living in harmony with nature requires more than environmental awareness; it calls for social, cultural and behavioural transformation. In the face of climate change, biodiversity loss and increasing pressure on natural resources, we see citizens and local communities as key actors in creating meaningful and lasting change. Sustainability becomes possible when ecological knowledge is translated into everyday practices through collaboration, participation and local action.

Our work focuses on ecological literacy, sustainable lifestyles, behavioural change, agroecology, local food systems, olive culture, biodiversity, circular economy and rural resilience. Through participatory learning, Living Lab methodologies, co-creation and community engagement, we bring together citizens, local producers, municipalities, universities, civil society organisations and researchers to develop practical solutions for sustainability transitions.

Our activities are deeply rooted in the unique socio-ecological landscapes of the İzmir Peninsula. By connecting scientific knowledge with local experience, we support place-based approaches that strengthen communities, landscapes and local economies while protecting cultural and natural heritage.

One of our flagship initiatives is the Olive Academy (Zeytin Okulu) in Karaburun, a place-based learning hub where agroecology, biodiversity, olive culture, local food systems, ecological literacy and cultural heritage come together through education, research, workshops and community dialogue.

Since our establishment, Zeytince has coordinated and contributed to numerous national and European initiatives, including PSLifestyle, Like-A-Pro, Project POMACE, Olive Route, Olive School and ruralCOMMONS. Through these collaborations, we have developed strong expertise in behavioural change, community engagement, Living Lab facilitation, ecological interpretation, sustainable food systems and place-based sustainability transitions.

At Zeytince, we see people, nature and culture as interconnected parts of the same living system. By connecting knowledge, communities and landscapes, we work towards resilient, inclusive and regenerative futures where ecological sustainability is embedded in everyday life.