Collaboration · Mentoring · Support
Let's produce together, let's transform together.
Toprak ve Yeryüzü Association is an independent, Ankara-based civil society organisation that aims to develop skills for living in harmony with nature and to put them into practice through ecological living centres that can sustain themselves economically.
Our purpose and approach
Every job is another's input or output.
Our main purpose is to develop skills for living in harmony with nature. Every course and event we offer today serves the establishment of ecological living centres. So that such a structure can also sustain itself economically, we design our units to feed one another: not waste, but resource.
The cycle we are aiming for
Agricultural waste → Oyster mushrooms → Spent mushroom substrate → Textile waste and natural binders → Natural building materials → End of life → Compost, return to the soil
We aim to put this cycle into practice in our first ecological living centre, in the near future.
Our Vision
A liveable new world, beyond words alone
There is a lot of talk about climate and nature. We want to go beyond talk and build a place that can actually be lived in.
In the living centres to be established, we aim to see young people and individuals grow up with a view of climate, nature and the world that is respectful of the world and of their own lives, and useful to themselves and to the community they live in. The centres will offer accommodation; open the way to increasing income and acquiring new professions in ways that are in harmony with nature; and let people experience together a new way of living that includes everyone.
Let's work together
What are we looking for?
We can work together in four ways. Whichever suits you, a short email is enough to begin.
Organisations and investors
Organisations, investors and communities who want to take part in the centre, for example those who want to make room in the centre for people from their own country. The legal and financial framework of participation is set together, in a way that suits the structure of the association.
Those seeking cultural exchange
Individuals, student groups and organisations from other countries who want to learn by living together and to take part in cultural exchange.
Mentors and experts
People who will share their experience in mushroom growing, permaculture, social enterprise and income models, grant writing and project management, and weaving and textile recycling.
Grant and in-kind support providers
We are preparing for the 2027 call periods (such as Erasmus+, development agencies, TKDK/IPARD and GEF Small Grants). In-kind support is also valuable: for example, tools and equipment for the mushroom production unit. As a principle, we report the use of every support we receive within the legal time limits.
This page is not a call for donations or investment. Collaboration proposals are reviewed; the legal and financial framework of each partnership is set separately in writing.
Where are we today?
A newly founded, documented and transparent beginning.
The items below appear, with their documents, on our Activity Summary page (last updated: 31 October 2026). Anything not yet done is stated separately as a goal.
- June 2026: The association was founded. The first general assembly met on 28 August 2026; the management and audit boards were elected.
- July 2026: Registered in the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Participant Register (PIC 863181855).
- August 2026: A 5-year Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement was signed with a Serbia-based organisation working in mushroom growing and circular production. It is a letter of intent with no commercial or financial binding force.
- October 2026: Weekend weaving workshops began at the association's centre (17, 24 and 31 October; 7, 5 and 6 participants respectively). Attendance lists and photographs are held in the association's archive.
- Ongoing: The Ecological Living Centre is at the establishment stage. Legal and administrative reviews of the site and land rights are continuing.
- Goal, 2027: We are preparing for the 2027 call periods of national and international grant programmes.
Transparency
Our documents are open to everyone.
We see accountability as the foundation of our institutional culture.
Contact
Write to us with your proposal.
It is enough to describe yourself, your organisation and the collaboration you have in mind in a few sentences. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
coordinator@tvyd.info
0546 193 77 63
Büyükesat Mah. Koza 1 Cadde No:153 Sev Apt. İç Kapı No:7, Çankaya/Ankara