Ankara / Online – 9 January 2025
The SPM² project was officially presented to key representatives of the Ministry of Health of Turkey in a strategic online session organized by the European Academy. This targeted meeting marked a vital milestone in the project’s dissemination efforts aimed at embedding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into public sector project management across Europe.
Positioning Sustainability at the Core of Public Health Projects
The meeting served three interlinked objectives:
- To introduce the SPM² project and its ambition to reform project management education by integrating ESG competencies.
- To raise awareness among Turkish health policymakers about the relevance of sustainable project management in improving project outcomes.
- To lay the groundwork for future engagement, including tailored training sessions, feedback mechanisms, and possible collaboration with Turkish institutions in upcoming project phases.
These goals align with the broader SPM² strategy of engaging regional and national agencies in co-creating a new competence framework for sustainability-aligned project management.
Direct Dialogue with Policymakers: A High-Level Strategic Engagement
Held in an interactive Zoom format, the presentation provided a focused overview of how the SPM² methodology—grounded in empirical research and driven by a competency-based framework—can support systemic change in how public projects are designed and delivered. Special emphasis was placed on the health sector’s role in leading the transition toward more sustainable and socially responsible governance.
Key discussion points included:
- The role of ESG integration in improving the impact and longevity of health sector initiatives.
- The value of competence-based training programs for public sector project managers.
- Future opportunities for Turkey to join the community of SPM² partners piloting the tools and curricula developed through the project.
Positive Reception and Future Outlook
The Ministry’s representatives expressed keen interest in the SPM² model and welcomed the opportunity for continued dialogue and collaboration. Several participants emphasized the strategic importance of introducing sustainability competencies into public administration and expressed interest in upcoming webinars and training opportunities.
This session was not publicly broadcast but constituted a critical step in deep stakeholder engagement, demonstrating the project’s ability to attract interest and support from high-level governmental actors.
Expanding the Model
This strategic format will be replicated in upcoming meetings with other regional and national authorities, including:
- Central Denmark Region
- North-East Romania Region
- Greek Government and National School of Public Administration
- Government of Malta
By engaging these actors early, SPM² ensures its outputs are deeply aligned with institutional needs, maximizing real-world applicability and long-term adoption.
SPM² continues to demonstrate that true sustainability starts with competence. By initiating direct, meaningful conversations with public bodies, the project moves from concept to implementation—where impact is made.
