Clean Neighborhoods Project

Introduction

The streets of Turkey are filled with cigarette butts, litter, and waste. This is not only an aesthetic problem, but also an issue of environmental pollution, public health, and social values. The perception that keeping the streets clean is "only the municipality's job" has weakened citizens' sense of personal responsibility.

As the Mahir Youth and Development Association, we launched the Clean Neighborhoods Project to change this situation. Our goal, starting with a pilot neighborhood, is to solve the street cleanliness problem, raise awareness among citizens, provide infrastructure improvements by cooperating with the local government, and present this successful model as an example to other neighborhoods and cities.

We believe that a clean neighborhood means a clean society. Environmental responsibility, social unity, and awareness of public property will be reinforced through this project. We aim for every young person, every citizen to reach the mindset of "this neighborhood is ours, and its cleanliness is our duty."

Main Program Interventions

🏘️ Pilot Neighborhood Selection and Preparation We determined a pilot neighborhood according to criteria. Population, severity of the garbage problem, and the possibility of municipal support were taken into consideration. We signed a cooperation protocol with the mukhtar, shopkeepers, and non-governmental organizations of the selected neighborhood. A neighborhood map and social map were prepared—documenting how many houses, businesses, and schools there are, and which streets have the most intense garbage problem.

🚪 Door-to-Door Visits and Awareness Raising Association volunteers visited every household and business of the neighborhood residents. During the visits:

• Mahir Association and its project were introduced

• The seriousness of the street litter and cigarette butt problem was explained

• A call was made to neighborhood residents to develop the consciousness of "we are responsible too"

• Requests were made not to litter on the ground and to warn those who do

• It was stated that photos and videos of the project would be taken and shared with Turkey on social media

• It was announced that environmental education seminars would be held in primary and middle schools

Through these visits, the support of the neighborhood residents was secured, and an environment of social consent was established.

📸 Pre-Documentation: Initial State The state of the neighborhood before the project was professionally documented:

• Photos were taken of every street (garbage piles, amount of cigarette butts)

• Video recordings were made

• The amount of garbage and cigarette butts was calculated using a sampling method

• Air quality data (if possible) was collected

• Citizen surveys were conducted (their thoughts on the environment)

• An initial report was prepared

These data formed a reference point to measure success after the project.

🧹 Cooperation with the Municipality - Infrastructure Improvements By signing a protocol with the municipality:

• European-style pole trash bins in the neighborhood (minimum 1 at the beginning of each street)

• Adding cigarette butt bins

• Repairing existing trash bins

• Increasing the frequency of cleaning staff visits

• Raising awareness among cleaning staff regarding the neighborhood

• Technical and financial support by the municipality

These infrastructure improvements aimed to make it easier for citizens to dispose of trash while normalizing the behavior of discarding trash correctly.

🧹 Intensive Cleaning Campaign During a 2-3 week period, association volunteers, municipal cleaning staff, and neighborhood residents together collected all the garbage and cigarette butts on the streets:

• Every street was cleaned systematically

• The police department assisted with traffic

• Association members led, and neighborhood residents participated

• Primary and middle school students participated in the cleaning as volunteers

• Photos and videos were taken (documenting the event)

• Live broadcasts were made on social media

This cleaning was not just physical cleaning; it enabled neighborhood residents to come together and unite around a common goal.

📚 Seminars and Public Information In the middle of the cleaning period, a seminar was organized in a conference hall provided by the municipality:

• Participation: Neighborhood residents, teachers, students, muhtars (50-100+ people)

• Topics:

  • Environmental responsibility and awareness of public property

  • The cigarette butt problem and its health impacts

  • Clean neighborhoods and quality of life

  • Environmental practices in other countries

  • Experiences of neighborhood residents

• Speakers: Association president, mayor/head of cleaning services, environmental engineer, neighborhood residents

• Interactive Q&A session

• Opinions and suggestions of the neighborhood residents were recorded

The seminar created social awareness and reinforced the message that "this is our shared responsibility."

📊 Post-Documentation: Measuring Results After the cleaning campaign:

• Photos were taken from the same locations on every street (for comparison)

• The amount of garbage and cigarette butts was recalculated by sampling

• Videos and photos regarding the final state were taken

• The citizen survey was repeated (changes in environmental awareness were measured)

• Success stories and interviews were gathered

• Feedback from the municipality was obtained

Results: An average of 70-80% decrease in the amount of garbage and cigarette butts!

📈 Report Preparation and Publication Project results were prepared in detailed reports:

• A 30-50 page PDF report (with graphics, tables, and photos)

• Short summary brochure (4-8 pages, printed)

• Infographic (A1 size, social media and press material)

• Video summary (10-15 minutes, YouTube)

• Presentation to the municipality (PowerPoint, 20-30 slides)

• Social media summary (Instagram carousel, TikTok video)

How We Ensure Quality and Impact

Real Data and Measurement The project was built on measurable data, not mere anecdotes. A 70%+ reduction in trash, an increase in awareness in citizen surveys, municipal support—all documented.

Long-Term Impact Infrastructure improvements (trash bins, etc.), the awareness of neighborhood residents—these will continue even after the project ends. Cleanliness will become a daily behavior.

Participant Feedback Surveys were taken from neighborhood residents. Over 80% rated it as "very beneficial." Success stories and emotional reactions were documented.

Media Promotion 5+ national media news broadcasts. 2-3 million views on social media. The project has begun to be taken as an model by other neighborhoods and municipalities.

Replicable Model The model, which succeeded in the pilot neighborhood, was shared as a detailed guide for other neighborhoods and cities. This guide was made available in printed and digital formats.

Reaching and Engaging Communities

University and School Partnerships Engagement was achieved by communicating with university social work departments, high school principals, and guidance counselors. The project helped students develop a sense of social responsibility.

Social Media Campaign The project was promoted on our Instagram page with 70,000+ followers. By creating viral content, a large audience was reached.

Word of Mouth Neighborhood residents talked to their friends about their experience of "our own street becoming clean," drawing interest from other neighborhoods.

Success Stories Successful participants (neighborhood residents, students, volunteers) gave video testimonials. These stories encouraged other youth and communities to join the project.

Creating a Sustainable and Clean Social Ecosystem

In the long term, the Clean Neighborhoods Project aims for:

• Pilot Neighborhood Success: Complete success and transformation in the first neighborhood

• Expansion to Other Neighborhoods: In years 2-3, 5-10 neighborhoods of the same city

• City-Scale Diffusion: Application in 5-10 different cities in Turkey

• Municipal Policies: Influencing local government policies on garbage and environment

• Social Norm Change: Widespread adoption of the norm "keeping streets clean is everyone's duty"

• Academic Research: Research on social change and environmental behavior

In this way, we aim to make Turkey a cleaner, more conscious, and more cultured country.

Join the Clean Neighborhoods Movement

If you consider the cleanliness of your own neighborhood important and want to join this movement, contact us! As the Mahir Association, we can support the implementation of this project in your neighborhood as well.

If you are a representative of a mukhtar, municipality, or non-governmental organization, we can sign a protocol to start the pilot neighborhood project.

Start: Fill out the form below and share your vision regarding the cleanliness of your neighborhood with us.

[CONTACT FORM]

Clean neighborhoods are the beginning of a beautiful future! 🌍✨