We Have a Say in the City is a series of participatory democracy and civic engagement gatherings organized by Mersin Metropolitan Municipality. These meetings are designed as platforms where Mayor Vahap Seçer meets directly with various stakeholders of the city, including civil society organizations, professional chambers, youth groups, local associations, and other community representatives to exchange ideas, opinions, and suggestions on urban issues.
The We Have a Say in the City project aim to implement a transparent, inclusive, and participatory local governance approach in Mersin. Through these meetings, city stakeholders are given the opportunity to express their views directly on key urban topics such as education, culture and arts, social policies, infrastructure, transportation, and other priority areas of municipal service delivery. Municipal activities and policies are openly presented and discussed in line with the feedback received.
The meetings are organized as a series of thematic and stakeholder-focused sessions, such as meetings with civil society organizations, professional chambers, youth representatives, or hometown associations. This structure strengthens dialogue between the Municipality’s service approach and the expectations of the city’s diverse social dynamics, ensuring that different voices are heard and reflected in decision-making processes.
We Have a Say in the City contributes to the co-governance of Mersin, supports the inclusion of citizens’ opinions and proposals in municipal decision-making, and focuses on strengthening local democracy by fostering a culture of dialogue, collaboration, and shared responsibility.
