Enhancing Youth Resilience to Earthquakes through Digital Interventions Project

 

The Erasmus+ KA210 Small-Scale Partnerships project in the field of youth titled “Enhancing Youth Resilience to Earthquakes through Digital Interventions,” coordinated by Marmara University and led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aslıhan Nişancı from our institute, was successfully completed as of May 29, 2025.

Within the scope of the one-year project, digital content and innovative learning tools were developed to increase earthquake awareness and resilience among youth. In addition to Marmara University, the project included the University of Messina (Italy), Humak University of Applied Sciences (Finland), Harran University, the Marmara Municipalities Union, and the Association for Social Cohesion and Entrepreneurship (UYUM). The partners brought together their various expertise and experiences to create a unique and comprehensive study aiming to empower young people against disasters.

 

Italy Workshop: Development of the Guidebook Content

The first workshop held in Italy was conducted with the participation of young people from different cultures and backgrounds. In this workshop, which applied non-formal learning methods, the content of a guidebook for youth workers and educators was developed with the direct contributions of young people. In the later stages of the project, the content was revised and enriched in subsequent workshops, and the final version of the guidebook was completed by the end of the project.

 

Şanlıurfa Workshop: Film Scripts and Artificial Intelligence Applications

At the workshop held in Şanlıurfa, young participants from each university and civil society organization partner came together. Using non-formal learning methods once again, the scripts of short animated films placed on the project website were written, and visual content was produced. Facilitated by an artist, this process offered the youth a creative and collective production experience.

Additionally, thanks to the visit to Şanlıurfa Technopark and the technical presentations conducted there, the process of developing an AI-supported chatbot was learned in detail. Participants had the opportunity to see practically how the large language model method works. Content in different languages was uploaded into the system by project partners, and the chatbot was created and made accessible to users on the project website.

 

Finland Workshop: Academic Production and Knowledge Sharing

In the final workshop held in Finland, academic article contents on three main themes were discussed and finalized. These articles were elaborated under the following titles:

 

√              √              √

Technology and Youth Resilience to Earthquakes Migration and Youth Resilience to Earthquakes Disaster Law from the Perspective of Youth Work

These contents are intended to serve as important reference materials both in the academic world and in the field of youth work.

 

Istanbul Dissemination Activity: Promotion and Sharing Meeting

At the closing stage of the project, a dissemination activity hosted by the Marmara Municipalities Union and held at the Marmara University campus in Istanbul was organized to present the project outcomes to invited guests from the public sector, NGOs, and youth representatives.

Subsequently, with a visit to the Kadıköy Municipality Disaster Education and Awareness Park, a practical disaster awareness training was conducted with stakeholders, aiming to enhance the participants’ preparedness levels for disasters.

Within the scope of the event, a panel was also held under the theme “Resilience to Earthquakes and Digitalization,” where innovative project examples were shared. This event served as an important meeting point to announce the impact of the project to wider audiences and to encourage sustainable collaborations.

This project not only aimed for young people to acquire knowledge but also encouraged them to take an active role, produce, and lead the construction of resilient communities. Current developments and content regarding the project can be followed through the official project website resilienceyouth.com and the social media account @digi_res.tr.

As Marmara University, we will continue to generate social benefit and build a resilient future through such projects that place young people at the center.