Side Events

Shape the MARUF25 Experience — Host Your Own Event!

Open call for side events to be held at MARUF25, where we meet “on the shore of all possibilities”:

Application Deadline: August 10, 2025 (until 23:59 (UTC+3))

What is a Side Event?

Side Events encompass a variety of formats — including panels, workshops, and interactive activities — organized by urban stakeholders as part of the MARUF25.

The types of side events, to be shaped based on applications, include the following:

• Panels

Panels are structured discussions centered on topics aligned with the conceptual framework and streams of MARUF25. Each panel consists of a moderator and a minimum of 2, maximum of 4 speakers. These sessions offer participants the opportunity to hear diverse perspectives, evaluate current issues from a comparative standpoint, and engage through interactive formats designed to enhance audience participation.

•  Urban Ateliers

Urban Ateliers are practical and participatory events designed to foster knowledge sharing, skill development, and collaborative problem-solving. They may take the form of design-oriented workshops, hands-on sessions, or serious games. Urban Ateliers are not confined to rigid formats; instead, they offer a flexible structure shaped by the participants’ engagement with the process. Participants may take on various roles—observing, questioning, or actively creating—depending on their interaction with the flow of the event.

•  Pop-up Events

Pop-up Events are short-term, dynamic, and spontaneous activities that take place in the foyer and common areas of MARUF25. These events may include brief presentations, creative interventions, exhibitions, mini-shows, or gamified experiences. Designed to offer participants a quick yet engaging encounter, pop-up events provide opportunities to gain new insights, experience an idea, or interact with others in a casual setting. With their flexible nature unconstrained by time and space, pop-up events bring vibrancy and energy to the forum environment.

• Networking

Networking Events are designed to facilitate mutual acquaintance, idea exchange, and collaboration opportunities around specific themes, offering spaces for dialogue and active participation. These events help connect representatives of institutions working in similar fields, lay the groundwork for future partnerships, and foster promising collaborations. They also support the dissemination of accessible, inclusive, and sustainable solutions to urban challenges.

• Other Events

Creative and hybrid formats not mentioned above but proposed by applicants in line with MARUF principles are also welcome and will be brought to life throughout the forum.

Who Can Apply for Side Events?

Applications for side events are open to the private sector, NGO’s, local governments, public institutions, universities, research centers, and student communities from Türkiye and abroad.

How Are Applications for Side Events Evaluated?

The format, duration and target audience of the event are determined by the applying institution. Applications are evaluated by the MARUF Creative Team according to the criteria of content quality, thematic compatibility with conceptual framework and streams of MARUF25 , participant diversity, MARUF Code of Conduct and applicability. Balanced distribution of genders, field expertise and influence are taken into consideration during the selection of speakers, facilitators and moderators. The events are expected to bring together a variety of actors from different sectors, disciplines and locations and open up space for co-creation, dissemination of experience and cooperation.

It is the responsibility of the applicants to present the content clearly and to avoid statements and behaviors that will damage MARUF's institutional reputation. The enrichment of events with interactive methods such as games, surveys and Q&A’s are highly recommended. At the end of the evaluation process, the selected events are shaped in accordance with the determined calendar and technical infrastructure. Adherence to MARUF Code of Conduct is a criterion in all application and evaluation processes.

We invite your proposals for side events addressing the key issues we need to delve into together — on the shore of all possibilities.

For any inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

Application Process Completed.