Monday Talks is a civic engagement and participatory democracy initiative implemented by Mersin Metropolitan Municipality’s Women and Family Services Department. The project, which began in 2023 as a continuation of the Municipality’s Pazartesi Buluşmaları (Monday Meetings) series, brings together women, women’s associations, community groups, civil society representatives, activists, and academics to discuss gender equality, care issues, and social policy development in inclusive, dialogue-oriented sessions.
Designed as a regular forum for exchange and collaboration, Monday Talks creates a space where participants can share insights, identify challenges, and develop practical ideas to strengthen women’s participation in public life and local decision-making. By facilitating ongoing conversations between municipal officials and diverse community voices, the initiative supports more transparent, responsive, and accountable local governance.
Since its launch, Monday Talks has gained international recognition for its innovative approach to civic engagement. In 2025, the project was selected as a finalist in the “Gender and Care” category of the OIDP (Observatory of Participatory Democracy) Awards, one of the most prestigious global awards recognizing local government practices that advance citizen participation and inclusion. The selection places Monday Talks among the world’s leading participatory initiatives presented from local and regional governments spanning dozens of countries.
The success of Monday Talks reflects Mersin Metropolitan Municipality’s commitment to inclusive policymaking, gender equality, and strengthening community voices. By uniting local stakeholders on a weekly basis to engage in meaningful dialogue, the project continues to contribute to social solidarity, mutual understanding, and innovative solutions for addressing urban social issues.
