Key skills and expertise

With 20 years of experience, the expert specializes in urban and regional planning, strategy and policy development, and investment promotion. Bringing expertise in governance and innovation, they have led significant projects such as the İzmir Innovation Centre Project and EU initiatives. Key qualifications include project management, analytical skills, and strong communication abilities. Career highlights include coordinating the İzmir Investment Promotion Strategy and managing the first EU project at İZKA. Responsibilities have included advising on corporate location decisions and developing cluster strategies, demonstrating leadership in regional development and capacity building.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving collaboration with the European Union on technical assistance initiatives. Notable projects include the "Support to the Solution of Economic and Social Integration Problems in Ankara, İstanbul, İzmir, and Bursa" and the "Economic and Social Integration Project in Major In-Migrant Destinations." These roles involved conducting in-depth interviews, desk research, and preparing baseline analyses and policy recommendations focused on governance and social service provision within Turkey, reflecting a regional scope.

Sectors and geographic focus

Background includes positions at the intersection of urban and regional planning, social development, governance, and investment promotion. Previously held roles in strategy development, project management, and policy advisory, the expert has interdisciplinary knowledge in innovation policies and cluster management. The geographic scope of work has been primarily in Turkey, with extensive experience in cities such as İzmir, Ankara, İstanbul, Bursa, Diyarbakır, Şanlıurfa, Erzurum, and Gaziantep. Additionally, the expert has engaged in international assignments in the Netherlands and participated in training programs in Spain and the United Kingdom, enhancing expertise in regional development and policy planning.

Languages and education

The expert is a native Turkish speaker with excellent proficiency in English, evidenced by a PTE-A score of 82/90 in 2018. These language skills have been utilized in various professional contexts, including working with multilingual teams and participating in international projects and conferences. The educational background includes a Master's degree in Economic Geography from Utrecht University, Netherlands, supported by the Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme. Additionally, the expert studied Urban Policy Planning and Local Governments at Middle East Technical University, Turkey, although the master's thesis was not completed. They also earned a Bachelor's degree in City and Regional Planning from Middle East Technical University.