TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORT TO THE PREPARATION …siviltoplumsektoru.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/... · The First Workshop was conducted on 15/02/2017 in Ankara, Mövenpick

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORT TO THE PREPARATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TURKEY CIVIL SOCIETY SUB-SECTOR PROGRAMMING 2016-2017

EU INSTRUMENT FOR PRE-ACCESSION ASSISTANCE (IPA II) CIVIL SOCIETY SECTOR WORKSHOPS’ REPORT

10 May 2017

TechnicalAssistanceforSupporttothePreparationandImplementationoftheTurkeyCivilSocietySub-SectorProgramming2016-17

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EUINSTRUMENTFORPRE-ACCESSIONASSISTANCE(IPAII)

CIVILSOCIETYSECTORWORKSHOPS’REPORT

ProjectTitleandNumber:


FWCBENEFICIARIES2013-LOT7:GovernanceandHomeAffairs

EuropeAid/132633/C/SER/multi

BeneficiaryInstitution:

TheMinistryforEUAffairs(MEU)

ActivityTitle: Activity5:SupporttoMEUtodeliveraseriesofnationalandlocalworkshopsforCSOstofacilitatetheirparticipationintheprogrammingandoversightofthecivilsocietysub-sectorplan.

PlaceofImplementationandDatesofWorkshops

FirstNationalWorkshopinAnkara(15/02/2017)SecondNationalWorkshopinİstanbul(30/03/2017)

TableofContents

1. ProjectIntroduction2. BriefActivityDescription3. ScopeofWorkshops:PresentationandDiscussions4. Conclusion

1. ProjectIntroduction


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“TechnicalAssistanceforSupporttotheImplementationoftheTurkeyCivilSocietySub-sectorProgramming2016/2017Project” has been started on 25th of July 2016. The implementation period of this FrameworkContract project is approximately 12months. The project is co-financed by the European Union and theRepublic of Turkey and theContractingAuthority is Central Finance andContractsUnit (CFCU). Themainbeneficiary of the project is, as the Lead Institution for the civil society sub- sector, theMinistry for EUAffairs(MEU).

TheglobalobjectiveoftheprojectistoensurethattheMEUissupportedinthepreparationandpromotionoftheimplementationofthesub-sectorprogrammeforCivilSociety.

Specificobjectivesare;

• TostrengthenthecapacitieswithintheMEUforprogrammingandpreparingfortheimplementationofinterventionstosupportcivilsocietyandbeneficiaryinstitutionsinTurkeyunderCivilSocietysub-sector.

• TosupporttheMEUandotherproposedBeneficiaryInstitutions(PrimeMinistryDirectorateGeneralofFoundations, Department of Associations of the Ministry of Interior) in the preparation of technicaldocumentsfortheimplementationofactivities.

• ToenhancetheparticipationofCSOsintheprocessofprogramminganddesignofinterventionsunderthesub-sector.

• ToestablishaframeworkforraisingawarenessamongCSOsandotherkeystakeholderstotherangeofsupportavailableundertheCivilSocietysub-sectorprogramme.

Mainactivitiesare

1. DeskReview2. Preparation and Presentation of the Inception Report to the Key Stakeholders with a Roundtable

Meeting3. Establishment of a Consultation Mechanism and Delivery of a Communication Strategy and

ImplementationPlan4. ProvisionofaRangeofTemplatestoMEUtopromotetheCivilSocietysub-sector5. Support to MEU to deliver a Series of National and Local Workshops for CSOs (3 National Level

Workshops;4LocalWorkshops)6. Support to two Proposed Beneficiary Institutions in Civil Society Sub-sector to assist them in drafting

TermsofReference7. Organisationofathree-dayTrainingforRelevantPublicInstitutions8. RevisionofSectorPlanningDocument(2014-17)forCivilSocietySub-sector

TheprojectimplementationhasbeenmanagedbytheMEUwiththesupportoftheProjectTeam,comprisedofaTeamLeaderandaCommunicationExpert.

2. BriefActivityDescription


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As it is indicated in the Terms of References (ToR), as per the following requirements, under the 2.3RequestedServices–Activity5,thefirsttwoworkshopswereorganisedinAnkaraandinİstanbul;

“SupporttoMEUtodeliveraseriesofnationalandlocalworkshopsforCSOstofacilitatetheirparticipationintheprogrammingandoversightofthecivilsocietysub-sectorplan.Threenationallevelworkshops(onedayfor each) should be designed for approximately 150 participants (for each workshop), with effectivepromotionoftheeventandaninclusiveprocessforparticipationoftheCSOs.ThenationalworkshopsmaybeatdifferentlocationinTurkeyandshouldensuremaximumvisibilityforthesupportofferedbythesub-sectorplanandtheroleoftheMEU.OneofthenationalworkshopsisproposedtobeheldinAnkara.Provisionofaneffectivemoderationwillbeimportantforalltheseworkshops.”

TheFirstWorkshopannouncedfromtheMEUwebsiteandCSOsnetworks,suchasCivilSocietyDialogue-CSD Programme, Sivil Düşün, Civil Society Development Center (STGM). All CSOs’ applications wereelectronically received and the participants were selected based on the criteria listed below which wereannouncedontheMinistry’sweb-site

• TohaveknowledgeonEUaccessionprocessandEUfinancialassistance• Tobeapartnerinnationalandinternationalcooperationplatforms,networksand/orprograms.

Theapplicationdateoftheparticipantshadalsobeenrespectedtofinalisethelistofparticipants.

The First Workshop was conducted on 15/02/2017 in Ankara, Mövenpick Hotel, in line with the Agenda(pleaseseeAnnex1:AgendaoftheFirstWorkshop)with172participants,54ofthemattendedfromoutofAnkara(pleaseseeAnnex2:ListofParticipants).

In the Second Workshop, an electronic invitation letter sent to all CSOs who had previously applied toparticipate in the FirstWorkshop,but couldnotbe inviteddue tobudget constraints identified in theToR.Besides,asimilar letterof invitationalsosenttoCSOs in İstanbulexperienced inEUProjects. Inthisregard,


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TheparticipantsoftheConsortiumproject’s(StrengtheningCivilSocietyDevelopmentandCivilSociety-PublicSector Cooperation in Turkey, 2011/0135.07) partners, CSD project beneficiaries, CSOs conducted EUDprojects,TACSONationalAdvisoryBoardmembers,rights-basedCSOshavebeeninvitedtotheworkshops.Inaddition, theCSO representativeswhohavebeen trainedby theMEU inAntalya, havebeen invited to theWorkshopinİstanbulasacomplementaryactivitytotheircapacitybuildingprocesses.

The Second Workshop was conducted on 30/03/2017 in İstanbul, Barbaros Point Hotel, in line with theAgenda (please seeAnnex3:Agendaof theSecondWorkshop)with159participants,54of themattendedfromoutofİstanbul.(PleaseseeAnnex4:ListofParticipants).

Confirmedparticipantsfromotherprovincesoutofplaceofworkshopswerecontactedtoarrangethetraveldetails.TransportationandaccommodationcostsofthoseparticipantswerecoveredbytheProject.

The printedmaterials including invitation letter and agenda togetherwith the stage, registration desk andsignboardsweredesignedandproducedaccordingtotheEUvisibilityrules.

Copiesof“CivilSocietySectorPlanningDocument”(SPD),“EUSupportforCSOsintheFrameworkofEUGrantProgrammesBooklet”,projectvisibilitymaterialsweredistributedtoallparticipantswithinaProjectFolder.

3. ScopeofWorkshops:PresentationandDiscussions

Bothworkshopsstartedwithregistrationandcontinuedwithmorningsessionswithwelcomingspeeches.


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In the firstWorkshop, thewelcoming speecheswere conductedbyMr.GabrielMUNUERAVINALS,DeputyHead of Delegation, Delegation of the European Union to Turkey, Dr. Mehmet CANGİR, DeputyUndersecretary, Ministry for EU Affairs and Mr. Bülent ÖZCAN, Director of Project Implementation.

In the Second Workshop, the welcoming speeches were conducted by Mr. Ahmet ÖNAL, İstanbulGovernorate,DeputyGovernor,AmbassadorSelimYENEL,ActingUndersecretary,MinistryforEUAffairsandMr.BülentÖZCAN,DirectorofProjectImplementation.

MorningsessionsinbothworkshopscontinuedwiththeMEUExpertspresentationson

• Civil Society Sector and Programming Process: In this presentation, programing under the civilsocietysub-sectorandprioritiesareexpressedalongwiththeexpectedcontributionsfromtheCSOs.It is also intended to increase their understanding and potential future capacity to activelycontribute in this programming process, main policy papers (Sector Planning Document – SPD;CountryStrategyPaper-CSP).Institutionalstructurearealsobrieflyelaborated.

• EU Financial Assistance for CSOs: The new funding mechanisms and opportunities are brieflypresentedfortheIPA-IIPeriodalongwiththesupportsofTACSO,STGMandSivilDüşün.

MorningsessionsconcludedwithquestionsandfeedbacksbytheCSOsalongwiththeanswersbytheMEU,mainlyinthefollowingissues;

IntheafternoonsessionsofbothWorkshops,theparticipantsweredividedintothethreegroupsandtheyhave discussed the following questions in three differentmeeting room and provided their comments andfeedbacks.TheexpertsfromMEU,TATandSTGMmoderatedthesethreeparallelsessions.

All discussions and feedbacks during the workshops were collated, grouped and presented by grouprepresentatives fromtheCSOs(onemaleandfemaleparticipants) inthebiggermeetingroom.Summaryofthediscussionswerepresentedbelow.

WorkshopQuestionsandMainHighlights

1. WhataretheneedsandprioritiesoftheCSOsatnational,internationalandlocallevels?


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o InstitutionalCapacityBuilding§ Training§ Toincreasevolunteerismandhumanresources§ ToimprovephysicalconditionsoftheCSOs§ Academicsupport

o Financing

§ Overcomefinancialproblems(rent,salaries,personnelissues,etc.)§ Fundraising§ Simplificationofgrantprograms’supportmechanism§ Solvingtheco-financingissue§ Needfornon-projectbasedfundraising§ Transparencyforthesupportmechanismofnon-EUfinancesources

o StrengtheningthePublicSector–CSO–PrivateSectorcooperation

§ EfficientcommunicationandcooperationwiththePublicSector§ StrengtheningtheindependenceoftheCSOs§ Needsforlegislativeframework§ OrientingtheCSOstoumbrellaorganizationstobetrained in lobbyingfor increasingtheir

nationalandinternationalrecognition/reputation§ AccessingtherecordsofMinistryofInterior,DepartmentofAssociations§ RecognitionoftheCSOsbythepublicsector§ Needforensuringthepublicobjectivity

o Developingthecultureofvolunteerism

§ Developingtheconsciousnessofvolunteerism§ Managementofvolunteerism

2. HowaretheseprioritiesofCSOsaddressed/satisfied?o InstitutionalCapacityBuilding

§ Supportbyvariousinstruments(grants,technicalsupport,trainingetc.)§ Trainingsonhowtofindvolunteers,auditing,performance,legislation,strategicalplanning,

coordination-communication,proposalwriting,socialmediaetc.§ Provisionofofficeequipment§ Promotingvolunteerism§ Identification of reason of low level of CSO membership / participation in civil society

activities§ Developingthementoringsystem§ Involvementofuniversitiestothecivilsocietyfield§ Facilitatingtechnicalsupport§ Civilsocietynewspapereitherprintedorelectronic§ Usingasimpleandunderstandablelanguageinwritingtheprojects§ Disseminatinggoodpractices§ Increasingvolunteerism

o Financing§ Ensuringfinancialsustainability§ Increasingthetransparencyofpublicfunds


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§ Increasingthefundraisingcapacity§ Increasingthesupportoflocaladministrations§ DevelopinggrantprogrammestoprioritizedisadvantagedCSOs/ruralpartsofTurkey§ Simplificationofgrantprogrammes’procedures(bothapplicationandimplementation)§ Supportingtheactivists,platformsandsocialinitiatives§ Promotingmicro-grantprogrammes§ Earlyannouncementofgrantprogrammesandallocationofsufficienttimeforthepotential

applicants/partnerstopreparetheirprojects§ Developingalternativesolutionsforco-financing;Possibilityofinvolvementofprivatesector

intheEUgrantprojectsshouldbeconsidered.§ Preparing follow-up grant programmes for increasing sustainability of the previous

programmesandimpactprospects§ GrantapplicationsshouldbesubmittedinTurkishlanguage. § Long and two-phases of grant projects’ evaluation process have resulted in respective

problemsandfrustrationsfortheapplicants.Evaluationprocessshouldbeshortened.

o StrengtheningthePublicSector-CSO-PrivateSectorCooperation§ Establishingconsultationmechanismsandcommissionsinlocalandnationallevels§ Increasingtheefficiencyoftheexistinglocalcommissions§ Revisionofthepublicpoliciesandimplementations§ Establishingapublicoffice/focalpointsfortheCSOstoconsultatlocallevel§ Simplifyingtheprocedurestoimprovecommunicationamongtheparties§ EstablishingCSOunitsineveryMinistry

o LegalEnvironment

§ Establishingconsultationmechanismsandcommissionsinlocalandnationallevels§ ImprovingandenablingthelegalenvironmentforCSOs

3. How do the CSOs provide support to the civil society sector programming process? Whichmethod/toolsCSOsproposetogivetheirfeedbacksonprogrammingprocess?

o Meetings

§ Thematicmeetings§ Consultationcommittees§ Expertsgroups§ Workshops ensuring to receive CSO contributions in accordance with their

geographical,thematiccategorisationandtheiroperationalcapacities§ Facetofacecommunication

o OnlineStudies

§ Developingonlinesupportmechanismforparticipatingintheprogrammingprocess§ Developingonlinetrainingmodules§ Webinar§ e-mailgroup§ CivilSocietySectorweb-sites(includingCSOdatabase,jointannouncementplatformforthe

callsforgrants,partnersearchengineetc.)§ Onlinedialoguemeetings


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§ Socialmedia§ EstablishingacommunicationnetworkbyusingthefacilitationoftheMEU

o Local/RegionalStudies§ CreatingjointplatformsforlocalCSOs-publicsector-privatesectoractors(afterreview

ofbestpracticesinEU)§ Developinglocalcommunicationmechanisms§ Appointingregional/localrepresentativesamongtheCSOs§ Organisingregularregionalmeetingsandstudies§ Increasingthenumberoflocalexperts§ Increasing the effectiveness of Provincial Directorates of Department of Associations

(MinistryofInterior)o StrengtheningthecooperationamongPublicSector-CSOs-PrivateSector

§ Ensuringstrongandefficientcommunicationwiththepublicsector§ EnsuringmoreeffectivecooperationwithCSOsbythe increasing levelofknowledge in

thepublicsectoraboutIPA’ssectorapproachandfunctions§ StrengtheningtheindependenceofCSOsagainstthepublicinstitutions§ Creatinga jointand strong structurebydeveloping the regional/thematicpartnerships

anddevelopingthecultureofworkingtogetherwithCSOso CSOsintheProgrammingProcess

§ ResearchesonhowCSOscaneffectivelycontributetotheprocess§ ProvisionoffeedbackstotheCSOsontowhatextenttheircontributionsareintegrated

fortheprogrammingprocess§ OrganizingcontinuousconsultancymeetingswithCSOsoneachoffourpriorityareasof

SectoralPlanningDocument(SPD)§ Including CSOs to the preparation of grant call for proposals/project design (in

identificationofpriorityareas,activitiestobesupportedetc.)§ Jointassessmentsofpreviousexperiences,lessonslearnedoftheCSOsprojects

o StrengtheningtheMEU§ Strengthening the local organization of MEU to accelerate the local consultancy

mechanism§ IncreasingnumberofMEUbranchofficesinprovinces§ StrengtheningcooperationbetweentheMinistryofDevelopmentandMEUonthecivil

societysupport§ AssigncontactpersonintheMEUtocommunicatewithCSOs§ OrganizingmoretrainingsbyMEUforCSOs§ Increasing the number of workshops, meetings, training programmes on capacity

buildingandproposalwritingbytheMEUo Others

§ Questionnaires§ Other innovative technological instruments utilised by UN for the sustainable

developmentforexchangingviewsandcomments§ Making cleardefinitions for terminological concepts like civil society, active citizenship

andframeworkprogrammes

4. Whatwouldbetheprojectproposalsoftheprogrammingprocessofcivilsocietysectorinthenextphase(2014-2020)?


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§ Projects on assessing the needs for the legal infrastructure and improving the legalframework

§ Projectonestablishingalegislativeframeworkforvolunteerism§ Strengthening the collaborations of public sector-CSO, CSO-CSO and CSO-private sector,

public-private-universitiesandprojectsenabling in improvementofcollaborationof them,anddevelopmentofcooperationmodalities

§ Projectensuringeffectivedialogueamongtheactors(public-private-CSOs-universities)§ Projectensuringaccessible,currentandreliabledataoncivilsocietyfield§ Grantprogrammesforawarenessraising§ Thematicgrantprogrammes,i.e.supportsforrenewableenergyandsupportsforvocational

training,crosssectoralsupports(i.e.jointprojects/programmes,betweensectors,culturalandenvironmentalissues)

§ Grantprogrammesforgrassroots§ Increasingtheconsciousnessofcivilsocietyintheuniversitycontextandsupportingmutual

CSO-Universityprojectstopromotestudent/youthemployment§ Support for financial sustainability and increased cooperation and generating strong

foundationstowardsphilanthropy.

TheworkshopclosingspeecheswerealsoconductedbyMr.SelimYENEL,Ambassador,ActingUndersecretary,MinistryforEUAffairs.


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Conclusion

In all sessions, almost all participants have expressed their high level of satisfaction on the informationprovided,organisation,hospitalityof theMEU,openandtransparentwayofcommunication,despiteof thedifficulties in understanding the terminology of presentations and sophisticated EU procedure. Theparticipantshavealsoconveyedtheir interesttoattendtosimilarevents,trainingprogrammeswhichwouldbetterincreaseefficiency,iftheyareregularlyandfrequentlyorganisedandpriorinformation,documentationandexpectationsfromparticipantsarebettercommunicated/formulated,i.e.contributionfromCSOstotheprogrammingprocesswillbecommunicatedandsectordocuments,policypapersaredistributedinadvanceetc.

Theimportanceandneedoforganisingsuchlong-term(preferably2-3days)meetings/workshopsespeciallyatlocallevelhavealsobeenunderlined.

Great interest has been shown by the CSOs to these two workshops and they are more successful thananticipatedasan important initiative conductedby theMEU for the IPA-IIperiodafter identificationof thecivilsocietyasasub-sector.

Considering the different profiles of the participants, the dialogue between the CSO representatives fromvarious parts of the society and the provinces,which has been preserved till the end of theworkshops, isregardedasanimportantachievement,thatcanalsobeinterpretedasanopenandenablingenvironmentformutualunderstanding.

Ithasbeenobservedthatmanyrecommendation,newproject ideasandpotentialareasofwork inthecivilsocietysub-sector,whicharepresentedbelow;havebeenexpressedbyCSOseventhoughtheparticipationandtheircontributionswouldbeexpectedaslimitedinsuchatechnicalprocessofEUprogramming.

It isestimatedthatsimilarstudiesandworkshopswill increasetheparticipationandcontributionofCSOstothe civil society sub-sector programming processes, bring about new project ideas and create an enablingenvironmentinthecontextofpublic-CSOcooperation.Youcansendyourcontributionsand/[email protected]

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TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORT TO THE PREPARATION …siviltoplumsektoru.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/... · The First Workshop was conducted on 15/02/2017 in Ankara, Mövenpick