Izmir gets to the finals for European Youth Capital

Izmir became one of the 5 European cities that made it to the finals in the 2026 European Youth Capital candidacy among 13 European cities.

Continuing to work in line with the youth-oriented city vision of Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Tunç Soyer, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality is experiencing a new excitement after the European Award. The good news for the 2026 European Youth Capital application was announced by the European Youth Forum. Among the applications of 13 European cities, it was announced that Izmir made it to the final. Izmir and Malaga from Spain, Sarajevo from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tromso from Norway and Vila do Conde from Portugal will also compete for the title of 2026 European Youth Capital.

Soyer: “I am ready to do my part in the process”

After the announcement of the short list and the news of the final, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer came together with non-governmental organizations and young people who contributed to the application process and carried out work. Stating that this development is a very important success, Mayor Tunç Soyer said, “The guidance of young people is very important for us. I believe that this success will be completed in the final and that our city will assume this title. Such a title will be assumed not only for İzmir but also for our country. We will achieve gains for the youth in many different fields such as culture, art, literature, music, sports and tourism.”

14 January “City and Youth” Meeting

On 14 of January in 2023, a meeting of Izmir Youth Initiatives was held under the title of "City and Youth" with 58 people, consisting of participants representing 28 non-governmental organizations and 10 district municipalities. During the application process that started with this meeting, 2026 European Youth Capital applications were made with an intensive and participatory method.

Tugay: “We have become a model city for Turkey”

İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Secretary General Ertuğrul Tugay said, “We started to decide together with non-governmental organizations and young people during the application process that started on 14 of January. I would like to thank our young people who were involved in this process and did not spare their valuable contributions. We, administratively, will do our best as facilitators about the works that young people will carry out for the cities they dream of. It was a great success for Izmir to reach the finals last year. It is a source of pride that this success is an example to other cities from Turkey.He said that apart from Izmir, Konya, Ankara and Antalya also applied from Turkey this year.

“European Youth Capital”

The title of European Youth Capital is seen as an important step to increase the opportunities for cultural, social, political-economic life and development programs for young people and to improve more livable urban ecosystems for young people. The European Youth Capital application was made in order to promote all the work done with the youth in the international arena, to contribute to the recognition of Izmir and to create more funds for youth work.

Studies about the 2026 European Youth Capital application will continue throughout the year in partnership with the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality City Council Youth Assembly, in cooperation with the relevant units of the Metropolitan Municipality and different institutions, organizations and organizations that carry out youth studies. Having successfully completed the first of the 3-stage application process, İzmir, which made it to the finals, will proceed with a participatory method with the non-governmental organizations in İzmir for the 2nd and 3rd applications to be made in June and August.