In 2006, the Kerkenes Eco-Center Project and Sah-Der (the Kerkenes and Sahmuratli Village Association for Public Relations, Prosperity, Help and Support) conducted successfully an ambitious program for rural development and a sustainable future.

The purpose of the Kerkenes Eco-Center is to promote sustainability through environmental studies. It pursues the following objectives:
• To advocate the use of renewable sources of energy;
• To act as a stimulus and a catalyst for environment-friendly building with appropriate
materials and energy efficient designs;
• To act as a dynamic experimental base for testing designs, materials and activities suitable for viable and sustainable village life.
• To encourage village development and income generating activities that might halt and even reverse migration from rural areas to the cities.

Funding from the UNDP-GEF Small Grant Program for the promotion of solar energy, another major grant from the Canada Fund and additional funding and support from the Yozgat Governorate and local authorities, the Archeocommunity Foundation (USA), the US Embassy in Ankara, EIE and MESA, provided sufficent resources and expertise for the proposed program.