As Save the Children Türkiye, in cooperation with Disaster and Emergency Management Authority, the Ministry of National Education, local municipalities and our local partner, we implemented the Climate Awareness and Resilience for Emergencies & Sustainability Project (CARES), a child-centred initiative carried out in collaboration with the Refugees Association in Sultanbeyli, Istanbul.
CARES project aimed to strengthen children’s preparedness for disasters and climate-related risks by supporting safe and inclusive learning environments and ensuring the continuity of education in disaster-prone and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.
Strengthening Children’s Climate and Disaster Awareness in Early Ages
Aimed at children aged 4–8, the project involved creating and piloting 16 educational modules designed to foster climate awareness and emergency preparedness through engaging content and activities. These activities were then complemented by teacher capacity-building trainings and a family guidebook to support parents and caregivers.
For children like Sena*, Didem*,and Elif*, who attended the pilot trainings and public festival, learning about disasters and the environment became an exciting experience rather than something to fear. Through interactive games, storytelling, puppetry, and hands-on activities, they discovered how to stay safe during an earthquake or a fire, while also developing a better understanding of nature and the environment. Didem explains: “We might get nervous or scared. In an earthquake, we should do the ‘Drop–Cover–Hold On’ move. And during a fire, I also learned something else today: to crouch and cover my nose and mouth.”
Elif particularly enjoyed the playful activities that helped her understand complex topics like the atmosphere and climate in a fun way. She enthusiastically shared how she now understands that the atmosphere is the Sun’s best friend and how important it is to protect the Earth by not littering on the land or in the sea. “We should kindly warn others.” she said, reflecting her growing sense of responsibility and leadership.
For children, the project turned learning into an exciting, confidence-building experience that stayed with them long after the sessions ended.
From Children to Families and Communities
The project’s impact extended beyond the children themselves. Elif’s mother, Nehir* (48) observed her daughter become more confident, positive, and expressive after the group activities. “She tells her brother and friends about what she’s learned and even repeats the activities at home,” Nehir shared. “She learned new words like ‘atmosphere’ and truly understood what climate means, all through games.”
Within the scope of the project, a family guide was developed to help families reinforce key messages at home and support children’s learning processes. The Climate Awareness, Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Guide for Families offers practical guidance for parents on raising awareness around climate change, disaster preparedness, and emergencies, underlining the critical role of families in building resilience at the community level. The guide is available here.
National Impact Through Cooperation with Disaster and Emergency Management Authority
As part of this project, training-of-trainers sessions were organized for teachers assigned from all 39 districts of Istanbul, marking a crucial first step toward scaling up the program across Türkiye. The program is planned to be integrated into Disaster and Emergency Management Authority’s national training framework in coordination with the Ministry of National Education. It aims to strengthen children’s awareness of climate and disaster risks and to build their basic preparedness skills without creating fear or anxiety.
Safe, Inclusive, and Resilient Learning Environments
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating earthquakes in southern Türkiye, gaps in education and psychosocial well-being became more visible, particularly for children from marginalized communities. The pilot trainings are implemented in Sultanbeyli, one of Istanbul’s socioeconomically disadvantaged districts with a high concentration of migrant populations. In response to these challenges, the project creates safe learning spaces that support both cognitive and emotional development.
Throughout the project, approximately 500 children were reached through activities focusing on climate change, natural cycles, ecosystems, and emergency preparedness. Educational materials and activities such as Doğa Takvimi (Nature Calendar), Ağaç Atlası (Tree Atlas), and Hadi Ormana Gidelim (Let’s Go to the Forest) supported individual and group learning, while also providing teachers with practical tools to sustain learning in classroom settings.
As Save the Children Türkiye, under the leadership with Disaster and Emergency Management Authority and in coordination with the Ministry of National Education, we continue our work to raise future generations equipped to face crises with confidence and resilience.
