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2015
Originn
Coworking
2018
Coffeece
2017
Originn
In its new place
2019
İzmir Design Factory
Creative Space
2018
Originn
FoodLab
2023
Originn
Creative
Hub
2020
Originnovation
2022
Sustainability
& Impact
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ORIGINN
CREATIVE HUB
Originn is a creative hub that offers innovation and sustainability services, while encompassing co-working and collaborative spaces.
Together with its Ahali (community), Originn builds creative communities around shared values.
Guided by these values, it develops collaboration models for its stakeholders and creates shared workspaces with the motivation to serve as an interface for a multidisciplinary culture of production.
ORIGINN
LOOKING FORWARD TO 2024
As the first co-working space in İzmir, we continue to grow each year through new experiences that remind us of who we are, reinforce our values, and strengthen our culture of collaboration.
In 2024, we once again placed participation at the heart of how we designed our space and services. We continued to build a living environment that supports creativity, encourages co-creation and enables sustainable economic value.
The past year was a period of reflection one in which we re-examined the values that define us, deeply felt the power of transparency and moved together through challenges that tested our resilience. The trust we’ve built with the individuals and institutions who support us remains the strongest foundation of our collective approach to creation.
2024 has been a year of greater impact, deeper collaboration, and more meaningful outcomes. As we stepped into the year, our intention was clear: to keep working with full commitment to building partnerships focused on positive and lasting impact to be a determined and compassionate partner in every step.
In this report, we invite you to look back with us and reflect on the value we’ve created together.
Here’s to many more shared achievements in the years to come.
AHALI
In Turkish, “Ahali” refers to a “community of people living in a certain place.”
At Originn Creative Hub, Ahali represents more than just a community it embodies a structure built on collaboration, sharing, and solidarity.
For Originn, Ahali is the foundation of a shared culture of living and working. Individuals who work, create, and come together in the space generate collective values through collaboration.
Ahali is shaped by an understanding rooted in sharing common spaces, co-creation, and meaningful interaction within the community.
As emphasized in Hardt and Negri’s Commonwealth, the commons are not limited to physical resources—they also include the social, cultural, and intellectual values shared by communities.
At Originn, Ahali carries these commons and grows through collaboration.
At the heart of our story is inspiration.
Originn is more than just a space it’s an ecosystem that inspires the individual journeys of its Ahali.
Here, every contribution feeds another. This structure—where individuals inspire one another and collective creation adds value—defines Originn’s identity.
Guided by a vision of solidarity, Originn continues to be a center where individuals discover themselves while creating together. This community, shaped by the stories of Ahali, offers a model for future collaborations.
Designed with a human-centered approach, Originn offers a broad perspective—from spatial services to innovation projects, from a sustainability vision to the development of creative communities.
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SPACE
Originn features both indoor and outdoor areas and is designed to foster movement and organic encounters for its community, thanks to its spacious atmosphere and high-ceilinged loft architectural style.
With a modular structure, Originn offers a holistic space experience that includes event areas, co-working spaces, offices, and meeting rooms, as well as dedicated spaces like FoodLab for culinary projects and Coffeece for coffee breaks.
Originn Space includes a total of 40 fully equipped private offices of varying sizes, each thoughtfully furnished to meet users’ needs.
Services offered to office users at Originn include:
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Reception and secretarial services
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High-speed internet access
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Use of meeting and conference rooms
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Access to lounge and outdoor areas
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Unlimited self-service hot beverages
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Parking
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Office cleaning
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Projector, printer, photocopying, and scanning services
With its modern design and spacious atmosphere, Originn provides an efficient and inspiring work environment. The venue also hosts over 30 open office spaces, ideal for entrepreneurs and remote workers.
Event and meeting spaces are equipped with technical infrastructure such as projectors and sound systems for presentations and performances. With an event area that accommodates up to 200 people, Originn is one of İzmir’s key creative gathering spots.
This space hosts a wide range of events, including:
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Cultural and artistic events
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Workshops
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Brand launches
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Corporate meetings
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Trainings, seminars, panels, and summits
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Exhibitions, music performances, and cocktail events
Additional amenities offered to event and meeting participants include guest reception and guidance, hot and cold beverage service, catering, and parking access.
With meeting rooms of various sizes, Originn can host events for 10, 20, 60 or up to 120 attendees.
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Throughout 2024, #OriginnPopUpStore was opened 16 times. 26 different brands took part in these meetings.
Each month, we opened up a space for a different entrepreneur, boutique producer or designer, allowing them to share their stories and promote their products. Pop-Up Store events were more than just a sales point; they also created an interaction area where conversations about design and production processes took place and the community met directly with producers.
In this way, we have managed to introduce a social purchasing culture to our community. These events will continue in 2025 and will continue to provide more visibility to local producers. In addition, economic benefits were achieved and social ties were strengthened thanks to the collaborations with local producers.
Originn continues to evolve as an ecosystem where individuals inspire each other and production progresses in a community-based manner, rather than just a physical workspace.
Originn Creative Hub aims to transform physical spaces into platforms that foster creativity and enable productive collaborations.
In 2024, a total of 161 events were organized, welcoming 4,849 visitors to our space.
Through these events, creative processes of both individuals and institutions were supported, while community culture and collaborative networks were strengthened.
Ahali: More Than a Community—The Power of Creating Together
Ahali actively engaged not only through events but also in daily production processes, making full use of Originn’s spatial resources.
Over the course of 2024, more than 150 meetings were held in our meeting rooms.
To strengthen Ahali—one of Originn’s core pillars—we created a structure that fosters new connections and collective production within the space.
By adopting a principle of “spatial neutrality” for shared areas, we facilitated smoother collaboration processes and enhanced solidarity among individuals.
Manufacturers Featured in Originn Pop-Up Store
40 Oven, Anasanya, Aslıhan Erdur, Badecanlar, Balwax, Becalm, Wheat Association, Dodo Book, Dreamer Art Style, Duygu Seçen Ceramics, Food Community, Girqit studio , İlaglass,
KeepRise, Kep Textile, Kidolina, Lalubags, LSV Dükkan, Mana Flowers, Minedolive, Mold Natural, Monday Kick, Çok Seramik, Poupee, Ritzz, Tonishe Design, Yozakura
CREATIVEMORNINGS
IZMIR
CreativeMornings is a free monthly breakfast meetup event designed for the creative community. CreativeMornings is an international event currently held in 69 countries and 238 cities worldwide.
Approximately 27,000 people attend CreativeMornings talks each month. Each month, we invite relevant speakers around themes determined by a different host city in the world; bringing their work, life stories, projects and views to creative communities.
The Izmir section of the CreativeMornings event series, which was started by Tina Roth Eisenberg in 2008 with creative communities in New York and is based on the idea that "everyone can update each other's status while having breakfast," started to be run by Originn as of December 2020.
Throughout 2024, we came together with participants on different themes and with different speeches.
The shared tables we have been holding in December for two years have now become a tradition and this year, we met at the same table with all the participants.
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ORIGINN BOOK CLUB
FACILITATOR:
DODO - NİHAL YURTSEVEN
Originn Book Club began its journey at Originn as a space where we nourish one another through diverse perspectives on the books we read.
With a new book each month, our club continues to grow through learning, listening, sharing, and being inspired by different viewpoints.
The joy of reading and the power of collective reflection continue to enrich our experience.
Dodokitap, operating since 2018 in Karşıyaka, İzmir, is both a bookstore and a café.
Initially founded as a bookstore focused on children’s literature and parenting resources, Dodokitap has since expanded to offer a thoughtfully curated collection for adult readers as well.
What sets Dodokitap apart is its boutique approach.
With a deep understanding of its readers, it offers carefully selected books based on content quality and the depth of the reading experience—rather than popularity or author recognition.
In addition to hosting book clubs for both open and closed groups, Dodokitap brings together reading enthusiasts in intimate settings, allowing for focused discussions and in-depth engagement on specific topics.
Beyond regular reading sessions, it organizes events for both children and adults, fostering a sense of belonging within its growing community.
With its curated shelves designed for readers eager to explore, Dodokitap aspires to be more than just a bookstore—it aims to be a true meeting point for book lovers.
BOOKS READ IN 2024
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January | İnsanın Acısını İnsan Alır — Şükrü Erbaş
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February | Cassandra at the Wedding — Dorothy Baker
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March | Waiting for Fear (Korkuyu Beklerken) — Oğuz Atay
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May | Another Sea (Bir Başka Deniz) — Claudio Magris
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June | The Great Gatsby — F. Scott Fitzgerald
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August | Cat Letters (Kedi Mektupları) — Oya Baydar
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October | Orlando — Virginia Woolf
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November | Homo Narrans — İsmail Gezgin
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December | My Father, the House, and Eggshells (Babam, Ev ve Yumurta Kabukları) — Fatma Nur Kaptanoğlu
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ORIGINN
FoodLab
Originn Foodlab is more than just a kitchen workspace it's an ecosystem where innovative ideas in food and agriculture are born, friendships are strengthened, and communities grow around taste and creativity.
Designed specifically for food entrepreneurs and innovative projects in the agricultural sector, Foodlab is a culinary laboratory that brings together industry stakeholders and academic circles to enable research, development, and the realization of forward-thinking initiatives.
As a 360-degree food design and production space, Foodlab offers a range of service models tailored to entrepreneurs and organizations alike:
Food Design & Product Development:
Creating recipes for new products, trial productions
Customer Experience & Product Shoot:
Gastronomy focused experience design for brands
Kitchen Studio & Menu Design:
Creating menus and concepts for special occasions and brands
Boutique Restaurant Experience:
Renting the area as a restaurant to private groups on certain days
Kitchen Workshops & Corporate Team Events:
Kitchen-based activities that increase internal motivation
Foodlab also hosts artistic events that encourage creativity. Last year, it hosted a theatre play called Macbeth in the Kitchen, demonstrating that the kitchen can also be a platform for artistic and cultural interaction.
In 2024, a total of 12,073 plates of food were served at Foodlab. This figure reveals that Foodlab is not just a production area, but a center for sharing, discovery and taste experiences.
In Izmir, food is not just an element of consumption; it is a space where conversation, collaboration and new projects are born. Originn Foodlab will continue to inspire sustainable food projects on both a local and global scale by combining this tradition with a modern understanding of entrepreneurship and innovation.
COFFEECE
Located at the heart of Originn Creative Hub, Coffeece is not just a coffee spot; it is an experience space where meetings and conversations continue.
With carefully roasted coffees and accompanying desserts, it adds pleasure to work breaks and provides a warm atmosphere for business meetings and events.
Coffeece offers a unique experience with world coffees and desserts to the public, events and everyone visiting Originn.
At Coffeece, which has become a popular destination for coffee lovers, coffees accompany conversations and productive work.
In 2024, more than 20 thousand coffees were served within Coffeece.
This figure is not only a consumption data; it is also an indicator that strengthens the coming together and sharing culture of the Originn community.
ORIGINN
NETWORKS
Impact Hub
European Creative Hubs Network
Women's Empowerment Principles
REN The Refugee Entrepreneurship Network
Social Value International
Türkiye Social Entrepreneurship Network
UN Global Compact Network Türkiye
Catalyst Now
As Originn Creative Hub, we aim to disseminate impact-oriented solutions not only locally but also globally.
By becoming part of these networks:
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We enhance knowledge sharing.
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We develop new collaborations and projects.
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We create synergy to generate sustainable solutions across communities.
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We aim to address global and local challenges through a collective approach.
Through the partnerships we’ve built within these powerful networks, Originn Creative Hub continues to make an impact and shape sustainable business models for the future.
ORIGINN
FOOD COMMUNITY
Originn Food Community brings producers and producers together directly as a solidarity model supporting the natural and direct food movement.
Food communities are reshaping the direct producer-consumer relationship that has been going on for centuries, with the possibilities of the age. This community offers not only food supply, but also an area of interaction that supports information sharing, awareness-raising and nature-friendly production.
The Originn Food Community met at Originn 15 times in 2024.
What is Originn Food Community?
This community, supported by GETO, meets once a month on Originn:
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It consists of small producers and individuals who adopt pesticide-free, natural farming.
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It brings producers directly together with producers through a model without any intermediaries.
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It is open to anyone who wants to join, not just the Originn People.
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Producers determine their needs through the food list shared via e-mail and receive their products from Originn once a month.
Why Originn Food Community to Produce and Derive Food?
This community not only buys food;
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Participating in harvests,
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To take part in the division of labor within the Group,
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It makes it possible to share the story of the products on your plate.
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You can become part of this community to support clean production, contribute to the sustainable practices of small-scale producers, and take responsibility as a prosumer.
What is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)?
CSA is a solidarity-based model in which responsibility is shared between producers and prosumers.
In this model, community members:
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Provide financial support and purchase guarantees to producers,
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Reduce producers’ concerns, allowing them to produce with the confidence of being supported by a community,
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Gain access to clean and fair food through a spirit of solidarity. Through the food communities in İzmir of which Originn is an active member—a total of 700 kilograms of potatoes and 1.2 tons of bread were shared through solidarity efforts in 2024.
Originn Food Community Producers:
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Fadime & Kaplan Zülfikaragil Çiftliği - TATUTA Çiftliği
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Necdet Ayma
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Pınara Organik Çiftlik
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Oya - Nedret - Pelin
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3 Elma
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Apo (Abdullah Samet)
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Necmiye Gücenmez
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Ahmet Özdemir
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Aşod Çelebi
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Sırma Gökler Çiftliği
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Ozan Özkan
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Melinin Çiftliği
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ALOĞLU Tarım
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Marmaris Koop.
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SUSTAINABILITY & IMPACT
At Originn Creative Hub, we place sustainability and impact not just as a concept, but at the core of how we do business.
Throughout 2024, we have implemented projects, collaborations and events that encourage individuals and institutions to take action for a more sustainable future.
Originn provides a collective learning and impact space that supports sustainability transformation by taking an active role in local and international networks.
While we increased our participation in global collaborations such as the Impact Hub Global Network, we also worked on local impact-oriented projects, social enterprise support and sustainable business models.
Our sustainability and impact journey in 2024;
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Community-based initiatives,
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Fighting the climate crisis,
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Food sustainability,
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Social innovation and
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Inclusive economic models
It was shaped by the important projects we carried out in various fields such as.
In this process that extends from local to global, from individual impact to systemic transformation, we continued to inspire a common culture of living and working.
In this section of the report, we share in detail how we strengthened our mission of sustainability and impact through the events, projects and programs we implemented throughout 2024.
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ABOUT THE IMPACT
Izmir Podcast Series
The Izmir episode of the On Impact podcast series, brought to life by the Koç University Social Impact Forum, was organized in collaboration with Yaşar University Social Entrepreneurship and Impact Office (YU SoFi) and Originn.
In this section, the experiences and studies on social impact of various social enterprises operating in Izmir are included.
Social enterprises examined in the podcast:
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Workshop Mer
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Collective Impact Programs (KEP)
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Dodo Book
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Another School is Possible
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SS Pagos Women's Cooperative
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Goodsted
These initiatives have contributed to podcast broadcasting with the projects they have carried out and the experiences they have gained in the field of social impact.
CreaTech BULGARIA
Summit 2024
At the CreaTech Bulgaria Summit 2024, as Originn Creative Hub, we had the opportunity to share the active role we have undertaken in regional and international collaborations in the creative sectors and the projects we have successfully completed.
With this event, we are pleased to sign a protocol with our valued stakeholders, aiming to promote collaboration and synergy in the cultural and creative industries (CCI) sector in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region; bringing together stakeholders from design, fashion, game development, cultural heritage, marketing, digital art and many more fields, and to create a coalition of collective expertise, resources and networks for regional growth, innovation, internationalization and sustainability in the creative economy.
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GLOBAL
DONUT DAY IZMIR
Global Donut Day Türkiye Days, which took place between November 6-9, 2024, opened up discussions on the possibilities of a new economic model with events held in three different cities over three days. The last stop of the event was Originn Creative Hub in Izmir on November 9.
At the Izmir meeting, participants held in-depth discussions on topics such as the applicability of the donut economy, its localization, individual transformation, and fair sharing of responsibilities. The courageous questions and participatory ideas provided inspiring insights into how a new economic model could be implemented on a local level.
The event was realized with the collective energy of the participants who came together around common dreams. Shaped in line with the basic principles of the donut economy, this meeting laid the groundwork for long-term collaborations among stakeholders in Izmir.
GLOBAL DONUT DAY
TURKEY FOLLOWING
The Global Donut Day event, first held in 2023, expanded its reach across Turkey in 2024. Organized under the umbrella of Doughnut Economics Turkey, this three-day series of events was realized through the collaboration of Onarım Atölyesi, Impact Hub Ankara, and Originn Creative Hub. The event centered around a regenerative, fair, and transformative economic model.
Held in different cities with varying themes and methodologies, the gatherings offered both theoretical and practical insights into the local reflections of doughnut economics in Turkey. The event also fostered a network that encouraged sustainable collaborations among participants.
As part of the event, a special episode of the Onarım Atölyesi Podcast series was recorded. In this episode, Berivan Eliş and Nazey Erdilek shared their insights and experiences regarding the doughnut economics movement in Turkey.
AZERBAIJAN
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP DELEGATION
UNDP Azerbaijan Country Office carried out a comprehensive study visit in 2024 to get to know the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Türkiye better and to transfer the experience it gained to Azerbaijan. The Izmir part of this visit was organized under the leadership of Impact Hub Ankara and coordination of Originn Creative Hub.
An interactive and inspiring program was designed for this multi-stakeholder meeting, which brings together representatives of the public, private sector, social entrepreneurs, civil society and collective structures from different sectors.
Within the scope of the visit:
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The voice of women entrepreneurs was raised with Aryawomen,
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At the Izmir Social Entrepreneurship Meeting 2024 event, knowledge and experiences from different geographies were blended with the interactive circle method,
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With Tarkem, Izmir's transforming dynamics in the field of social entrepreneurship were observed,
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During the visit to Izmir Commodity Exchange, ideas were exchanged on agriculture and sustainable food policies,
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The role and impact of women in social entrepreneurship was discussed at the Collective Impact Programs Association.
The experiential dimension of the visit was also kept strong. Participants had the opportunity to discover sustainable products from local designers and producers through #OriginnallMarket. In addition, menus prepared with products from the Originn Food Community were accompanied by conversations on sustainable food systems in the Originn FoodLab.
We believe that this rich content program will inspire long-term collaborations between Azerbaijan and Türkiye focused on social entrepreneurship.
BCF 2023
IMPACT REPORT
Bozcaada Jazz Festival 2023 Impact Report, in which Ece Yılmazdemir and Alperen Yörük from the Originn Creative Hub team took part in the research team, has been published.
This report examines in detail the cultural and social impacts of jazz music, the festival's sustainability approach and its contribution to the creative industries.
While the study makes the social and economic impacts of creative industries visible, it also highlights the role of music in social transformation with powerful examples.
Bozcaada Jazz Festival stands out as a platform that produces value in the fields of sustainability, local development and social impact, beyond being just a music event.
We would like to thank the Impact Hub Ankara and DNDLAB teams for their contributions to this valuable work.
We believe that this report will strengthen the perspective on creative industries and cultural events in our country.
ENTREPRENEUR WORKSHOPS
Hosted by Originn Creative Hub and organized in collaboration with Akbank and AryaWomen, Arya Entrepreneur Workshops met with individuals who want to take bold steps in the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Izmir.
Throughout the event, participants gained both theoretical knowledge and had the opportunity to listen to inspiring experiences to make a strong start on their entrepreneurial journey, implement their innovative ideas and move their current projects forward.
While this meeting provided an in-depth perspective on the dynamics of the business world, it also became an important learning and connection platform that opened the doors to transformation and development for entrepreneurs.
As Originn Creative Hub, we are proud to be a part of such programs that support women entrepreneurship and aim to spread the entrepreneurship culture in Izmir.
İZMİR
is Looking for Its Equality Stars
Spearheaded by the Izmir Commodity Exchange and carried out in collaboration with the TOBB Izmir Women Entrepreneurs Board, Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Business Administration, and UN Women, we were proud to take part in the meaningful “Izmir is Looking for Its Equality Stars” project as a mentor to Metro Türkiye.
As a result of the efforts throughout the project, we had the honor of receiving the Silver Star Award together with Metro Türkiye.
As Originn Creative Hub, we have been a signatory of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) since 2017. Guided by this commitment, we continue to place equality and inclusivity at the heart of our work culture, and we strive to foster collaborations aligned with these principles.
This collaboration marked an important step toward our goals of enhancing women's representation in the business world, promoting internal institutional equality policies, and generating sustainable social impact, and was proudly included in our annual impact report.
IMPACT INVESTMENT FORUM
IZMIR 2024
The first meeting organized in collaboration with TARKEM and the Impact Investment Advisory Board Türkiye was held in Izmir in 2024.
In this forum, where Nazey Erdilek, one of the founding team of Originn Creative Hub, participated as a speaker, the topic of “Place-Based Impact Investment” was discussed.
At the event, examples and practices were shared on how impact investments intersect with local development processes and how they can produce deeper and more lasting results in social benefit production.
As Originn, we were pleased to take part in and contribute to this meeting where knowledge and experience were shared on how the impact investment approach can be implemented at the local level.
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AGRI CLIMACCELERATOR
TURKIYE
Developed for start-ups that produce solutions in the fields of agriculture, food and sustainable economy, Agri ClimAccelerator Turkey is being implemented by EIT Climate-KIC, Europe's largest clean technology and sustainability network, with the support of EIT and Horizon Europe.
The Türkiye leg of the program will be carried out under the leadership of Atlas Hub and in partnership with Originn Creative Hub.
This collaboration aims to support and scale innovative initiatives working in the field of sustainable agriculture and food systems and to develop impact-oriented business models.
As Originn, we are happy to contribute content to this program and take an active role in supporting startups on their sustainability journey.
GLOBAL STARTUP AWARDS
NEW BESTCOMMER
CYCLISM
Cyclizm, an Izmir-based startup born out of Originn, attracted attention as the only Turkish startup to receive awards in all categories at the Global Startup Awards (GSA) in 2024.
Considered the world's most prestigious independent entrepreneurship award program, GSA was organized for the 12th time this year and for the first time, the Turkish leg was included in the program.
At this major event, where a total of 101 finalists from different parts of the world took part, Cyclizm won the “Global Startup Awards, Edition X – Best New Startup (Global Winner)” award.
As Originn Creative Hub, we are very proud of this success of Cyclizm, which stands out with its solutions developed at the intersection of sustainability and technology, and we are inspired by the global impact of the initiatives we support.
BAUTOPIA
METAMORPHOSIS
In 2024, we participated in the Bautopia4 – Metamorphosis meeting hosted by STPLN in Malmö.
Members of the European Creative Hubs Network (ECHN), of which Originn Creative Hub founder Esra Gönen is on the board of directors, came together at this meeting and;
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Green transformation,
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Social dialogue,
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Democracy and
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Social Justice
They exchanged ideas on the subjects and held working sessions together.
Throughout the event, the potential of creative industries to develop practices that will contribute to the transformation in these areas was highlighted.
The joint studies carried out were not limited to sharing information only, but also provided collective learning environments that would form the basis for future collaborations.
During the program, we took inspiration from Malmö's unique parks and all the living things surrounding us, strengthening our vision of sustainable creative production models that are in harmony with nature.
This meeting was an important step for Originn Creative Hub to strengthen its interaction with European creative networks and to disseminate its vision focused on social impact on an international scale.
PECHAKUCHA
IZMIR
We are very excited to support PechaKucha Izmir. Held in over 800 cities around the world, PechaKucha Nights is a friendly and dynamic series of events where creative individuals come together to share their ideas, work and inspiring stories. Each talk consists of 20-second narrations accompanied by 20 visuals, conveying ideas in a concise and impressive manner.
PechaKucha Izmir was started by Cenk Dereli in 2013 and aims to make the city's creative ideas and design culture visible. Thanks to these meetings, an important memory and sharing area regarding the creative spirit of Izmir is created.
As Originn, we believe in the power of local collaborations and the importance of moving forward together. That's why we think that events like PechaKucha Izmir make a great contribution to city culture and regional development.
Vol. 33 Change - Transformation - Improvement - Making a Difference
Originn Creative Hub, one of the first co-working spaces in the city, aims to create effects that spread from the local to the global, in line with its vision of “being a constant source of inspiration for a shared living and working culture”.
In this context, Originn focuses on learning together with its stakeholders, supporting partnership-based production models and creating positive social impacts. Actively participating in international networks whose values it embraces, Originn has been continuing its efforts to spread impact, transformation and community-based innovation as part of the Impact Hub Global Network for the last two years. We were delighted to be on the PechaKucha İzmir stage for the third time with Ece Yılmazdemir’s narration.
Vol. 34 Food-Drink-Food
Originn Foodlab is a special workspace designed for entrepreneurs with projects in the field of food and agriculture. Hosting original content events on a national and international scale, Foodlab also offers menu design, product shooting and boutique restaurant services.
Originn Foodlab, which contributes to the development of projects focused on food design and technology, in collaboration with industry representatives, academia and entrepreneurs, supports initiatives that will create an impact in the food ecosystem. We were proud to be on the PechaKucha Izmir stage for the fourth time with Nazey Erdilek's narration.
We continue to tell our new stories and inspire with the same excitement.
THERE IS GOODNESS
IN IZMIR
Within the scope of World Volunteer Day, an event with broad participation was organized by the “İzmir’de İyilik Var” Community in 2024. The event, where more than 90 civil society organizations, public institutions, universities and local government representatives came together, took place at Alsancak Dominik Street and Türkan Saylan Cultural Center.
Originn Creative Hub Sustainability Department Leader Ece Yılmazdemir was a speaker at the panel titled “Sustainable Volunteering Towards 2026” organized as part of the event.
During the panel, discussions were held on sustainable volunteering approaches, the social impact of volunteering, and permanent volunteering mechanisms that can be established at the city level.
The “There is Kindness in Izmir” Project is a kindness movement initiated by Yaşar University to celebrate World Volunteer Day and encourage the spread of volunteering.
Declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985, December 5 is celebrated as World Volunteer Day in 123 countries every year, and the visibility and social benefits of volunteer work are highlighted.
As Originn, we were proud to be a part of this meaningful event and to support a culture of volunteerism that prioritizes social benefit.
MENTORING
SUPPORT
SUSTAIN2SOLVE SUMMIT 2024
As part of the Sustain2Solve Summit 2024, Originn Creative Hub Sustainability Department Leader Ece Yılmazdemir served as a mentor at the event.
In this event, where innovative ideas, solution-oriented approaches and interdisciplinary collaborations in the field of sustainability were highlighted, Ece Yılmazdemir guided the participants and shared her knowledge and experiences.
This participation is included in our report as one of the important steps that enable Originn to strengthen its sustainability vision through sectoral interactions and contribute to the ecosystem through knowledge sharing.
IZIKAD 12. YOUTH IZIKAD PROGRAM
Within the scope of the 12th Young İZİKAD Program organized by İzmir Business Women Association (İZİKAD), Originn Creative Hub Sustainability Department Leader Ece Yılmazdemir served as a mentor in the fields of sustainability and artificial intelligence.
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In this program, which aims to support the career development of young women, the intersection points of sustainability vision and technological transformation were discussed. With the contribution of Ece Yılmazdemir, participants had the opportunity to listen to inspiring examples and gain practical information in these two areas.
This contribution is included in our report as a reflection of Originn's approach to supporting knowledge sharing with a focus on social impact.
ORIGINNOVATION
Throughout 2024, we have developed projects in many different areas, from entrepreneurship to community management, from the energy sector to social innovation.
Under the umbrella of Originnovation, we guide individuals, organizations and communities to produce innovative solutions.
In this regard, we created an impact both locally and internationally with the hackathons, training programs, workshops and consultancy services we organized in 2024. Thus, we revealed how creative thinking has a transformative power in the business world.
This year;
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Creative industries,
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Social entrepreneurship,
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Innovation in the energy ecosystem,
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Creative solutions to combat the climate crisis,
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Community-based innovation and
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Digital transformation
While we produced projects in our fields, we also continued to develop new collaborations.
We aim to be a companion for everyone who embraces innovation not just as a process but as a culture.
This section of the report provides a comprehensive overview of Originnovation’s work, projects and collaborations through 2024. We continue to design the future together.
SOFİ
COMMUNITY DESIGN & MANAGEMENT TRAINING
Social entrepreneurship, as an approach that implements socially beneficial business models, is one of the most impactful fields of our time.
In this context, a comprehensive training program has been designed to cover not only fundamental topics such as:
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What is social entrepreneurship?
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What are the key traits of social entrepreneurs?
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How are problem analysis and solution development carried out in social enterprises?
But also:
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Volunteering and volunteer management
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Community building, values, and principles
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Communication strategies
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Brand creation and management
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Fundraising
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Design thinking
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Business model canvas
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Impact-driven thinking
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Implementation and monitoring processes
The program was developed to address the current needs of social enterprises and civil society organizations. It consists of 10 modules, each supported by subtopics, video content, and end of module quizzes.
At the end of each module, a 30-question quiz is provided to help participants reinforce their knowledge. A comprehensive 100-question exam is administered at the end of the program as part of the certification process.
As part of the Social Entrepreneurship Program carried out in collaboration with Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and Yaşar University, the development of training content, incubation program trainings, and mentorship activities were conducted.
In this framework, Originnovation contributed to the program’s content and impact by offering a dedicated training module titled “Community Design and Management.”
This contribution, aimed at strengthening community-based approaches, holds a significant place in the development of the social entrepreneurship ecosystem.
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DESIGN THINKING
TRAINING
In order to attract young talents and increase the visibility of the program, an effective branding strategy was developed using the Design Thinking approach.
In this process, innovative ideas were produced for the needs of young people with the methodology consisting of understanding, empathy, problem definition, idea development and prototyping stages.
As part of the training, participants learned the basic principles of employer branding while also developing creative solutions focused on the needs of the target audience.
30 summer interns from different disciplines such as business, engineering and law worked in 6 teams and designed projects addressing the question of “How can an effective branding strategy be developed for the New Graduate Program?”
These projects,
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Strengthening the content of the program,
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Designing new experiences and
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It aimed to create a strong employer brand that young professionals would prefer.
As Originnovation, we provided content support and facilitation for this process, offering an interactive learning environment where young people can reveal their creative potential.
CURIOUS MINDS
BLOG
https://www.originnovation.co/blog
Throughout 2024, as Originnovation, we shared our insights and experiences on various aspects of innovation through a series of blog articles. Our content focused on key topics such as innovation, community building, user experience (UX), service design, and organizational transformation.
First Quarter Articles
In our article titled “Loyalty Programs and User Experience Research (UXR)”, we shared insights into enhancing customer loyalty through user-centered strategies.
“Community-Driven Innovation” explored how communities can contribute to innovation processes.
In “Innovative Collaborations to Support Academic Entrepreneurs”, we introduced the Hasat Grant Program, designed to support academic projects in the field of sustainability.
Second Quarter Articles
In “Innovation and Community: A Creative Alliance”, we emphasized that innovation accelerates not through individuals, but through collaborative communities.
“Design Thinking and Lifelong Learning” focused on integrating user-centric and creative approaches into problem-solving processes.
In “From Human Resources to Human & Culture”, we discussed how institutions can transform their internal dynamics to create more people-centered organizational structures.
Second Half of the Year Articles
“Innovative Communities: Jamming, Listening, and Hearing” highlighted the power of creative communities and the importance of a strong culture of communication.
In “Service and Experience Design”, we shared our methods and processes for designing customer-centric experiences to improve satisfaction and engagement.
INNOVATION MICROPHONE
ORGNV PODCAST
Aysun Demirdogen
Ece Oztan
Emre Gocuk
Prof. Dr. Canan Madran
Ayse Sen
Bilal Serefhanoglu
Ruhan Askin Uzel
Originnovation Podcast is a communication platform that brings together innovation professionals from different sectors, focusing on the concept of innovation and the culture of being an innovative community.
Through this podcast series, we aim to explore the power, impact and multifaceted nature of innovation. In each episode, we host:
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their own experiences,
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inspiring stories and
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by sharing their visions of the future,
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It offers different perspectives to other innovation professionals in the ecosystem and creates common learning areas.
Originnovation Podcast aims not only to share knowledge, but also to spread the culture of innovation, trigger creative collaborations and establish inspiring connections.
BEYOND GAMES
WOMEN IN GAMES
Organized by Women in Games Türkiye in collaboration with Originn Creative Hub, European Enterprise Network and KOSGEB, “BEYOND GAMES: Career Conference in the Gaming Industry” brought together young talents who want to build a career in the gaming industry and become entrepreneurs with industry professionals.
Acting with the motto “We are in Games”, Women in Games Turkey aims to strengthen the presence of women in the gaming industry and at the same time support young talents. Through this event, participants were offered an inspiring learning and sharing environment.
As part of the event, participants had the opportunity to gain innovative information and hands-on experience about game development processes from experienced names in the industry.
Simay Dinç, one of the speakers at the event, emphasized the critical role that games play in cultural formation, stating that the gaming sector is one of the most valuable areas with the potential to produce innovative works of art within the creative industries. She also shared with the public that Originn Creative Hub is the home of Women in Games Türkiye in Izmir.
As Originnovation, we are aware of the strategic importance of the gaming industry from a community management perspective. With this awareness, we have been actively participating and providing support in meetings for the gaming ecosystem since 2023.
We were delighted to contribute to the gaming community by undertaking the program and content management at the BEYOND GAMES event.
In 2025, we aim to continue to support the empowerment of more individuals in the gaming industry, the development of innovation-focused solutions, and the increase of diversity in the industry through such events.
JAM & CIRCLE METHOD
THE POWER OF COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE
Jam and Circle Methods are among the innovative approaches that enable participants from different disciplines to come together and develop creative and sustainable solutions.
While Jam encourages participants to exchange ideas around a common topic and engage in solution-oriented interactions, the Circle Method provides an environment for in-depth dialogue based on the principles of equal participation and active listening.
These two methods;
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by activating collective intelligence,
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social,
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economic and
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environmental sustainability
It contributes to the development of meaningful solution proposals in areas such as.
Throughout 2024, participants in events where we use these methods;
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to share knowledge and experiences freely,
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Nutrition from different perspectives,
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They had the opportunity to take steps towards a strong future together.
As Originnovation, we continue to establish participatory, creative and transformative spaces through these methodologies.
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ENERGY JAM
ENERGY ECOSYSTEM
CIRCLES
The Energy Jam: Energy Ecosystem Circles event, organized in collaboration with GDZ Elektrik and Originn Creative Hub, became an important meeting point that brought together leaders and innovative entrepreneurs who shape the future of the energy sector.
The event provided an inspiring space for participants to explore innovative approaches in the sector and create a sustainable energy ecosystem. Leading figures in the energy sector, entrepreneurs, academics and other stakeholders came together to jointly design the energy ecosystem of the future.
The program, enriched with the Circle Method and gamification elements, provided more than 50 participants with the opportunity to meet with industry leaders, exchange ideas and explore collaboration opportunities.
Participants shared their experiences on the “Innovation Microphone” platform, interacting with a wide range of people from public sector officials to energy professionals.
This event once again demonstrated the importance of acting together to move the energy ecosystem towards a sustainable and innovative future.
AZERBAIJAN JAM
IZMIR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
MEETING 2024
Organized in collaboration with Originn and Impact Hub Ankara, the Izmir Social Entrepreneurship Gathering 2024: Global Perspectives event brought together social entrepreneurs from Azerbaijan and Izmir.
This meeting, which was held with the participation of the UNDP Azerbaijan Social Entrepreneurship Delegation, provided a unique platform to discuss the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in depth and explore international cooperation opportunities.
Thanks to the interactive circle method applied throughout the event, participants;
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The difficulties they face,
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Sharing the opportunities they observe,
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financial sustainability and
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international scaling
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had the opportunity to develop common sense on critical issues such as:
In addition, cooperation and solidarity in the field of social entrepreneurship were further strengthened through structured networking sessions.
This meeting was an important milestone in the journey of social entrepreneurs from different geographies to learn together, share experiences and create sustainable impact.
DONUT JAM
GLOBAL DONUT JAM
At the Donut Jam event organized as part of Global Donut Day Izmir, we came together with participants from different disciplines with the restorative and inclusive approach of Donut Economy.
The Circle Method used in the event enabled participants to develop common sense, produce sustainable solutions and share their experiences freely.
During the event,
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Localization,
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Individual transformation and
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In-depth discussions were held on fundamental issues such as fair sharing of responsibility.
This special event, organized with the collaboration of Donut Türkiye Topluluğu, Yanarım Atölyesi | Regenerative Impact Space, Impact Hub Ankara and Originn; with the support of İstanbul Planning Agency and İzmir Planning Agency, turned into a journey of learning and solidarity with the brave questions and valuable contributions of the participants. This meeting became a concrete example that stronger steps can be taken together for the economy of the future. We are stronger together, side by side for the economy of the future.
CREATIVE SKILL WEEKS
Skill Base Learning Jam
As Originn Creative Hub, we were delighted to be a part of Creative Skills Week 2024.
In this context, the Skill-Based Learning Jam we organized offered participants an interactive learning and sharing experience focusing on the development of broad and specific skills.
In this special event conducted with the Design Thinking methodology, participants:
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Creative thinking,
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Communication and
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While developing horizontal skills such as empathy,
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They also had the opportunity to strengthen their vertical skills specific to their field.
Skill-Based Learning Jam offered participants an interactive and transformative experience with its approach that considers learning not only as a transfer of knowledge but also as a process of thinking and producing together.
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IDEATHON'24
Disaster Resilient City “BORNOVA”
Ideathon'24 “Disaster Resilient City Bornova” event was held on October 16-17 at the historical Dramalılar Mansion, hosted by Bornova Municipality and organized by Originnovation.
In this idea marathon that lasted approximately 30 hours, innovative solutions were developed to create a city that is more resilient to disasters.
41 participants from 13 different universities and 14 different areas of expertise participated in the event. Among the participants were;
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architecture,
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urban and regional planning,
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civil Engineering,
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industrial design,
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computer science,
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disaster management
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law
Young people from disciplines such as took part.
In the studies carried out with the Design Thinking methodology, problems were analyzed within the framework of determined themes and creative solution suggestions were developed.
At the end of the event, 7 different teams presented 7 projects aimed at increasing resilience against disasters. This ideathon was an important step for Bornova to become a city more prepared for disasters. While the creative ideas of university students gave hope for the future, the synergy established with mentors and jury members increased the impact of the projects.
The resulting projects were aimed to contribute to the strategic action plans of Bornova Municipality.
HR WORKSHOP
TRANSFORMATION OF THE HR CONCEPT
On December 4, 2024, we came together with leading names from the Aegean Region business world at the workshop titled “Transformation of the HR Concept: Transition from Human Resources to People and Culture” organized in cooperation with KOSGEB Izmir Directorate, EGİAD and ESİAD (Aegean Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association).
The event, moderated by Originnovation, discussed the processes of transitioning organizations to a human and culture-focused structure.
With the Design Thinking methodology, solution proposals were developed to create agile and resilient organizational structures in multiple crisis environments.
The highlights of the event were:
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Employee Experience and Intergenerational Transfer
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Leadership and Talent Management
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New Generation Working Models
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Digitalization and HR Transformation
The workshop provided participants with the opportunity to share information and develop new collaborations, contributing to their taking innovative steps with a human and culture-oriented management approach.
This meeting, which took place with the support of the KOSGEB European Enterprise Network EBIC-EGE project, was an important milestone for the future of the Aegean Region business world.
ENABLE THE ENABLERS
CLIMATE ACTION
Climathon Izmir has been organized by Originn Creative Hub since 2018, as part of a global climate action program organized simultaneously in 108 countries.
In this context, we aim to raise awareness in the fight against the climate crisis and to provide positive transformations in cities with innovative solutions developed by multidisciplinary teams.
Taking this vision one step further, we have started the process of implementing the “Enable the Enablers” project together with our global business partners Veronica and FBW/4. We took the first step of this journey with the Kickoff meeting we held recently.
The Enable the Enablers project aims to provide a training program for those who will organize events such as Climathon, which is organized to find solutions to local climate problems.
Program;
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To convey the necessary knowledge and skills to individuals who want to work in this field,
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It aims to create a network of individuals who will increase the resilience of communities to the climate crisis.
At Originn, we continue to build climate-focused communities not only locally but also globally through this program.
RESKILLING FOR A BETTER
FUTURE JAM
Since 2018, Climathon Izmir has been raising awareness about the climate crisis and contributing to multidisciplinary teams' development of innovative solutions.
Originn aims to create a global community for sustainability and train new leaders through its “Enable the Enablers” initiative, with the aim of scaling the Climathon event and making it more accessible together with its global stakeholders.
In line with this vision, the “Reskilling for a Better Future” Jam event held on October 23, 2024 brought together actors in the climate crisis and sustainable transformation ecosystem. The event offered a participatory platform where experiences were shared, common solutions were produced and action was taken.
Topics covered at the event:
Sustainability-Focused Dialogues; Participants shared their views on the future of cities and exchanged ideas on the challenges faced by societies and proposed solutions.
Collaboration for Common Goals; The expectations and strengths of the actors in the climate action plans were explored, and the foundations of future collaborative projects were laid.
Exploring the Potential of Climathon and Activism; Participants met with new generation leaders and sustainability actors to develop permanent solutions to the climate crisis and increase global resilience.
As Originn, we continue to strengthen the will to act together for a better future with this meeting that supports innovative climate-focused solutions.
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ORIGIN CREATIVE HUB
TOWARDS THE 10TH YEAR
The journey that started with a dream has become the meeting point of creative communities, transformation-oriented projects and collective intelligence. As Originn Creative Hub, we have experienced together that space is not just four walls; it is a way of life that grows with sharing, production and impact.
As we prepare to celebrate our 10th anniversary next year, we are deepening our perspective on our country, the world and the future. We are looking to build not only physical spaces but also social ties, shared values and sustainable business models. This approach forms the basis of our will to produce collective solutions to complex problems, from the climate crisis to social inequalities.
We believe that we can overcome the multiple crises of our age with a culture of solidarity. Therefore, with an understanding that “triggers creativity, nourishes curiosity, and supports joint production”; we will continue to bring individuals, institutions, and communities together around a transformative effect. We will continue to move forward with models where innovation touches culture, design touches social benefit, and entrepreneurship touches solidarity.
As we enter 2025, our aim is not just to leave another year behind; it is to redesign the future with creative solutions. Now is the time to ask again and produce again, for a fairer, more transparent and more livable world together with our communities.
Originn is 10 years old.
He will be in pursuit of new questions, new paths, new partnerships.
We continue to build the future together.
