Uygar Özesmi is a social entrepreneur who has dedicated his life to developing a society and economy in harmony with nature. With the belief that a “great transformation” is needed, over the past 25 years he has founded and contributed to numerous organizations and initiatives working towards ecological and social development and sustainability in Türkiye and beyond. This experience culminated in the establishment of Good4Trust.org, a platform that brings together fair and sustainable producers with responsible prosumers.

From 1989 to 1990, he served as an advisor to the Minister of State responsible for the Environment. As a Fulbright Scholar, he received his MSc in Environmental Science from Ohio State University. He later completed his PhD studies in Conservation Biology and Development and Social Change at the University of Minnesota as a MacArthur Scholar.

From 2000 to 2004, he served as a faculty member at Erciyes University and led work in Environmental Science. He subsequently worked as an Environmental Specialist at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) from 2004 to 2006, Executive Director of TEMA Foundation from 2006 to 2008, Executive Director of Greenpeace Mediterranean from 2008 to 2012, and Eastern Europe and West Asia Director of Change.org from 2012 to 2017.

In 2002, Özesmi became the founding chairman of Doğa Derneği, a BirdLife International partner. He was also one of the founding members of the Civil Society Development Center (STGM) and served on the Board of CIVICUS – World Alliance for Citizen Participation from 2010 to 2016.

Özesmi has more than 100 scientific publications and has published numerous popular articles and a book, as well as hosted daily programs on Açık Radyo. He currently continues his work through Good4Trust.org, an initiative for ecological and social sustainability.