Contributing to Local Development through the DIGIBOOST and REFRESH Projects: International Partners Gather in Döşemealtı

In collaboration with Antalya Bilim University and the Döşemealtı District Governorate, the joint multiplier event of the DIGIBOOST and REFRESH Erasmus+ projects was held on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the Döşemealtı District Governorate Conference Hall. At the event, digital entrepreneurship, the knowledge economy, and digital skills, alongside climate change adaptation and the "cool islands" approach, were discussed with local stakeholders.

The program, intended for representatives of public institutions, neighborhood headships, municipalities, professional organizations, non-governmental organizations, and educational institutions, aimed to contribute to development by aligning the knowledge, skills, and practices developed in international projects with local needs.

Following the opening speeches by Döşemealtı District Governor Ünal Çakıcı and the Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Administrative, and Social Sciences at Antalya Bilim University, Prof. Dr. Sefa Çetin, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Emre Civelek addressed artificial intelligence, new skills, and the opportunities presented by digital entrepreneurship in his presentation titled "Knowledge Economy and Digital Transformation."

Antalya Bilim University faculty member Dr. Melike Çetin introduced the training modules, digital learning platform, and the Turkey pilot implementation of the DIGIBOOST project, which aims to support digital entrepreneurship and local economies in rural communities. In addition to partners from Slovenia, Italy, Spain, and Lithuania, representatives from the Atabey Public Education Center shared their work and experiences in the fields of adult education and digital skills.

In the second part of the event, the "cool islands" approach developed by the REFRESH project for climate change adaptation was discussed. Dr. Melike Çetin and Dr. Hamid Farrokh Ghatte presented the project's goals, training contents, and solutions applicable at the local level. International partners also shared best practice examples for creating cool public spaces and reducing heat risks.

The program concluded with evaluations regarding the local use, dissemination, and sustainability of the REFRESH outputs. The event provided a significant foundation for cooperation by bringing Antalya Bilim University's international project expertise together with local stakeholders.