Yıldırım Gündüç was awarded an undergraduate degree in International Relations from Hacettepe University in 2009. Following the completion of his Master's degree in Eurasian Studies at Middle East Technical University in 2012, Mr Gündüç commenced his professional career at Ankara City Council and subsequently took up a position at the Prime Ministry. From April 2011 to May 2024, Mr Gündüç had the privilege of working as an EU Affairs Expert at the Department of Project Implementation in the Directorate for EU Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 2020 to 2021, he had the privilege of working as a National Expert at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy. He was actively involved in a number of capacity-building and grant projects that were closely related to civil society organisations and local authorities. Mr Gündüç has also published two books: EU Grant Schemes: 100 Questions & 100 and Management of EU Funded Technical Assistance Contracts and Grant Programs. In addition, he maintains a personal blog (www.yesilsehirler.com) where he shares best practices, inspiring examples and news from the EU that local authorities may find beneficial in relation to green and smart city issues.