In 1993 the Kerkenes Project was inaugurated to study the Iron Age capital that had once stood on the Kerkenes Mountain, which overshadows the village of Şahmuratlı, Sorgun, Yozgat. From the outset, the Project Directors were conscious that this international research project would not only have an impact on the village and the local area, but also that it had potential for development at regional and inter-regional level. A central concern was, and continues to be, that any impact, social, cultural or economic, should be for the benefit of the village and the region.
     The Kerkenes Eco-Center Project was initiated in 2002 with the help of the Australian Embassy Direct Aid Program. By 2003 the concept of establishing an Eco-Centre devoted to research into and promotion of renewable energy and sustainable village life was developing and initial efforts were supported by the Erdoğan M. Akdağ Foundation, the American Embassy, Anglo-Turkish Society, the British Embassy, the Canada Fund and some corporate sponsors. Help in kind is also forthcoming from the Yozgat Governorate, the Directorate of Rural Services, and the Sorgun District Governorate and Municipality. As well as following up to completion the construction of the first strawbale building and the Erdoğan Akdağ Center for Research and Education, the Kerkenes Eco-Center Team in collaboration with ŞAHDER conducted a very successful program for the promotion of solar energy, a drip irrigation scheme for organic gardens and pursued other ongoing programs, including solid waste separation for composting and recycling, reuse of grey-water and promotion of appropriate materials and design for energy efficient buildings.
     The aim is to halt, and even reverse, migration from rural areas to urban centres. While advocating an environmentally friendly approach to the development and improvement of rural settlements. ŞAHDER (The Kerkenes and Şahmuratlı Village Association) was established in 2004 to promote the welfare of the village. Significant ground has been covered and income has been generated through the promotion of products during the seasonal kermes and donations from visitors who have enjoyed their visit and what they were offered.

     The purpose of the Kerkenes Eco-Center is to promote sustainability through environmental studies. It pursues the following objectives:

1. To advocate the use of renewable sources of energy;
2. To act as a stimulus and a catalyst for environment-friendly building with appropriate materials and energy efficient designs;
3. To act as a dynamic experimental base for testing designs, materials and activities suitable for viable and sustainable village life;
4. To encourage village development and income generating activities that might halt and even reverse migration from rural areas to the cities.

     Village life in Turkey is a victim of large scale migration to the city, leaving those who cannot follow to suffer from a dying economy and unsustainable way of life. ŞAHDER, the Şahmuratlı Village Association, has been set up to combat the decline and bring opportunities to the village. It aims to raise living standards, provide opportunities within the village economy and hope of a better future to those who are to perpetuate village life essential to an ecological balance in our modern economy. A broad range of activities related to improvement of rural life, energy saving and use of renewable energy are conducted every year.
     The project has the active support of local authorities and receives significant help in kind from the Yozgat Governorate, Sorgun District and Municipality. In 2011 it would not have been possible to repair the roof of the Solar House without the generous support of local authorities and that of AKG Gazbeton who provided the AAC blocks. Once more an innovative approach was followed in which the mud roof was completely redone. Rotting timbers were removed, the timber structure rebuilt and AAC blocks used to replace the mud cover. The new roof and external rendering of the Solar Building were completed in September and ready to host distinguished guests who attended the Kerkenes Festival on Saturday October 1.