Since April 2023, VNG International, with funds from Giro555, has been involved in supporting the recovery and reconstruction efforts of three municipalities – Kahramanmaraş, Osmaniye, and Seyhan (Adana) – in the earthquake-affected region of Türkiye. Over recent months, the project has made significant progress through various initiatives aimed at supporting the affected communities.

In the last week of September VNG International conducted three workshops in Türkiye for the municipalities of Seyhan (Adana), Osmaniye and Kahramanmaraş. Two Dutch experts on scenario planning and urban planning were leading the workshops. Elected municipal council members, appointed municipal officials, academics and civil society took part in the workshops to discuss opportunities and challenges of urban development for their municipalities after the earthquakes. The goal of the week was to identify priorities for urban development.

VNG International, with funds from Giro555, supports three municipalities in the earthquake-affected area in Türkiye: Seyhan (Adana), Kahramanmaraş, and Osmaniye. As guest member VNG International is focusing on its added value of long-term municipal reconstruction. VNG International is doing that through provision of expertise and small subsidies. The project aims to bring the three municipalities in the lead of the reconstruction.

What are the most recent developments?

The wider objective of the project is to support and strengthen the capacities of local governments in Adana Seyhan, Kahramanmaras Metropolitan, and Osmaniye municipalities in Türkiye to effectively lead and facilitate the recovery and reconstruction efforts to meet the needs of the citizens affected by the earthquakes. <br />
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The overall objective of the project was to contribute to enhanced local governance in Türkiye through improved procedural participation process and participatory decision-making methods. The project consisted of the following specific objectives: <br />
• Strengthened public participation processes in three municipalities through the completion of three procedural participation pilots, evidenced by their adoption of citizens' assembly policy recommendations in their strategic management process.<br />

The wider objective of the project is to strengthen cooperation between public sector and civil society organisations (CSOs).<br />
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The specific objectives are:<br />
i) increasing the capacity of the Ministry of Family and Social Policies and CSOs in terms of mutual policy making, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; <br />

The overall objective of the project is “To increase administrative capacity at local level in Turkey's EU Accession process.” In line with this objective, the purpose of the project is “To create sustainable structures for exchange between local authorities in Turkey and EU Member States in areas relevant for EU Accession.”<br />
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Pursuant to the overall objective and the purpose, expected results to be achieved by the end of the project are as follows:<br />