The Association for Combating Energy Poverty (ENYOKDER) has been established to work toward eliminating energy poverty, a growing challenge that leaves millions of people unable to access energy, unable to use it adequately, or unable to afford its cost.
Founded in Ankara, ENYOKDER brings together individuals from different regions of Türkiye who are active across various fields of the energy sector. The Association is chaired by Arif Künar, with Aslı Olgun, Naci Işıklı, İbrahim Çakmanus, and Ünal Kurt serving as members of the Board of Directors.
“Energy poverty must be formally recognized”
Commenting on the purpose of the Association, ENYOKDER Chair Arif Künar noted that the concept of energy poverty entered the European policy framework through the European Commission Recommendation of 14 October 2020 [(EU) 2020/1563] and the Clean Energy for All Europeans package. He emphasized that the concept should also be formally recognized in Türkiye and incorporated into the relevant legislative framework.
Künar stated:
“The concept of energy poverty should be formally defined in Türkiye, as a candidate country to the European Union, and integrated into the relevant legislation. National Climate and Energy Action Plans, Green Deal documents, and net-zero emission targets and strategies must all include the reality of energy poverty, along with concrete solutions and policy targets.”
“This is not simply a matter of social assistance”
Künar underlined that energy poverty should not be viewed solely as a matter of social aid, but rather as a structural issue of energy policy and energy transition. He pointed to the deepening hardship faced by minimum-wage earners, who make up a significant share of the workforce, as well as millions of retirees living on incomes below the minimum wage.
He added:
“We aim to develop and implement projects that will structurally reduce and ultimately eliminate energy poverty. Among our main objectives is to support households, vulnerable groups, retirees, minimum-wage earners, and all those affected by energy poverty, whose numbers are increasing every day, through cooperation with central and local governments, as well as decision-making and implementing institutions.”
A moral and social responsibility
Künar also stressed that persistent increases in energy prices are further intensifying energy poverty. He noted that in Türkiye, across the European Union, and around the world, a significant share of the population lacks access to adequate, affordable, accessible, clean, safe, and secure energy. Many households are unable to sufficiently heat, cool, or light their homes, while unhealthy living conditions such as dampness and mold create additional health risks.
He said:
“Addressing these challenges is one of our most urgent responsibilities. It is not only a policy issue, but also a moral reckoning for all of us.”
Call for participation and support
ENYOKDER is inviting all individuals and institutions that can contribute to the fight against energy poverty to become members and support its activities. Stressing that energy poverty is not limited by geography, Künar called on interested parties from across Türkiye and around the world to get in touch.
“The fight against energy poverty knows no geographical boundaries. Wherever you are in Türkiye or elsewhere in the world, we invite you to contact us to become a member, receive information, and contribute to this shared effort.”
ENYOKDER aims to play an active role ahead of COP31
The Association will focus on a broad range of themes, including energy transition, sustainability, energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy access, energy poverty and deprivation, climate justice, social justice, energy justice, energy security, energy independence, and energy cooperatives. ENYOKDER also aims to carry out impactful work in the run-up to and aftermath of COP31, which is scheduled to take place in Antalya in November 2026, with the goal of advancing a sustained and effective response to energy poverty.
Contact
Association for Combating Energy Poverty (ENYOKDER)
Sümer 2 Caddesi No: 37/18
Kızılay, Ankara, Türkiye
Website: www.enyokder.org
E-mail: info@enyokder.org
