Where ecology, culture and sustainability meet at the olive's root.
Zeytince is an İzmir-based civil society organisation working in the fields of agroecology, rural development, sustainable food systems, circular economy, living labs, ecological literacy, sustainable living, the climate crisis and cultural heritage. As a partner in the European Union's Horizon programmes, we share what we learn locally on a European and global scale.
"A community movement rooted in olive culture, local food systems and the cultural landscape of the Aegean Peninsula."
Founded in İzmir in 2013, Zeytince is a community-based association working at the intersection of ecological literacy, cultural heritage, sustainable lifestyles and agroecology. As a partner in projects under the EU's Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020 programmes, we bring together local producers, municipalities, universities and civil society through participatory learning and Living Lab methods. Our Zeytin Okulu in Karaburun works as a community learning hub for olive culture, agroecology, biodiversity and ecological literacy.
Our Purpose & Values
Our purpose is to support ways of living in harmony with nature, to strengthen local knowledge and co-creation, and to contribute to a participatory, inclusive sustainability transition. We see the climate crisis not only as an environmental issue but as a social, cultural and economic one - and we support individuals, communities and institutions in learning and acting together.
Harmony with Nature
We take the mutual bond between people and nature as our starting point, respecting ecological limits in all our work.
Participation
We believe sustainable solutions are only possible when different kinds of knowledge and experience come together.
Locality
We treat local knowledge and cultural heritage as essential ingredients of sustainable transformation.
Where Science Meets Practice
We bring academic knowledge together with field experience to produce practical, measurable solutions.
Solidarity & Partnership
We build strong partnerships with public bodies, local governments, producers, universities and civil society.
Continuous Learning & Innovation
Through Living Lab practices and co-design processes, we learn from experience and develop new methods.
Our Projects
PSLifestyle
A free test that shows the carbon footprint of your daily life.
Run in 8 European countries: a free web app measuring personal carbon footprint and offering sustainable-lifestyle guidance.
Official project page →
Like-A-Pro
A European research project bringing plant-based protein to the table.
42 partners, 14 countries: an EU-funded research and innovation project moving alternative proteins from niche to mainstream.
The LIKE-A-PRO project (No. 101083961) is funded by the European Union under the topic "HORIZON-CL6-2022-FARM2FORK-01-07".
Official project page →
ruralCOMMONS
A European project keeping cultural heritage and mutual aid alive in olive villages.
Runs Türkiye's Cultural Commons Lab in the Karaburun/Urla olive landscape, connecting imece (mutual aid), participatory governance and heritage safeguarding with agroecological transformation - with İzmir Institute of High Technology.
Official project page →
Zeytinin Bir Bildiği Var
An eight-month ecological literacy education project in Karaburun, led by Ege University's Faculty of Economics under the TÜBİTAK 4004 Nature Education and Science Schools programme.
Project page →
Toprağın Kadını Ödülü
Our co-founder Assoc. Prof. Meneviş Uzbay Pirili received the Yves Rocher Foundation's "Woman of the Soil" award for her ecological literacy education work in İzmir.
Read the news →
Zeytin Okulu Projesi
Housed in a former village school in İnecik, Karaburun, Zeytin Okulu (Olive Academy) hosts workshops, seminars and field research on ecology, philosophy, sustainable development and olive culture.
Olive Academy website →
Aylak Mutfak — Tramp Kitchen
A food movement questioning the journey from seed to table.
A movement examining the seed-to-table food cycle in search of a shared, equitable food ecosystem.
Official project page →
Project POMACE
A creative-industries project designing new circular materials from olive pomace.
Inspired by olive cultivation in Karaburun: a creative-industries project turning olive pomace into bio-based materials through circular design.
Official project page →
Olive Route
Connecting olive culture and producers along a route you can visit.
A route linking olive culture, agroecology, local producers and eco-cultural tourism across the İzmir Peninsula.
Official project page →
Combating the Olive Fly
A chemical-free pest-control method developed together with producers.
A project with olive producers to spread ecological pest-control methods that reduce chemical inputs.
Official project page →Zeytin Okulu: home to our ecology, climate and olive-culture workshops
Zeytince decided to establish the Olive School in 2015, choosing Karaburun as its focus area under İZKA's Peninsula Sustainable Development Strategy. An old, disused primary-school building in İnecik Village - empty since 1992 - was leased to the association; with support from İzmir Metropolitan Municipality a new building was constructed in its place, and the school opened in May 2017. Today we run Living Lab workshops, olive-tree pruning training, climate-crisis and ecological-literacy seminars, and cultural-heritage workshops here; it also serves as a stop for walkers and cyclists on the Ephesus-Mimas Culture Route and an information point for the Olive Road, building skilled labour for agriculture and tourism - with a particular focus on women.
Our publications and tools
Ecological Literacy Guide
PSL Lifestyle App
Like-A-Pro Leaflet
Citizen Science Report
The Climate Crisis and Sustainable Development in an Age of Uncertainty
By Assoc. Prof. Meneviş Uzbay Pirili, in "The Economy of the Century," Vol. III, Efil Publications, Ankara.
PSLifestyle 2022 Newsletter
PSLifestyle 2025 Newsletter
Citizen Science Applications Report
Olive Has Something to Know.
Our Programmes
We are a civil society organisation that applies the Living Lab methodology — designing these activities, coordinating them in the field, and also offering consultancy. Four programmes municipalities, institutions and schools can apply for.
Ecological Literacy Education
Our core training programme, run with urban stakeholders since 2013, connecting the climate crisis to everyday behaviour.
We Measure Your Institution's Carbon Footprint
Measurement, GRI reporting support and sustainability-office setup for municipalities and institutions.
We Bring Communities Into Data Collection
Citizen science programme design drawing on bioblitz and inventory work.
We Design Your Living Lab Together
We provide consultancy and guidance in designing ecological events, workshops and field programmes tailored to your organisation.
Our EU Project Team
Doç. Dr. Meneviş Uzbay Pirili
Prof. Dr. R. Funda Barbaros
Akın Erdoğan
Leyla Öğüt Yeşilpınar
News and updates
Table Talks with Alternative Proteins — an evening in the kitchen
Zeytince becomes Turkey partner in the ruralCOMMONS project
Like-A-Pro online training modules now free to access
PSLifestyle featured in İzmir Metropolitan Municipality's GRI Report
"Ecological Literacy Guide for a Sustainable Future" published
The Zeytince Ecosystem
From municipalities to universities, the business world to civil society and international bodies — the partners we learn and build with.
Municipalities
Universities & Public Bodies
of Technology
Business & Trade
Civil Society & International
Social Enterprise & Solidarity
partnerships
