Frequently Asked Questions

STGM regularly searches for funding opportunities for civil society to contribute to the sustainability of CSOs in Turkey and support their resource development efforts. Specific Calls for grants, targeted to CSOs can be found on the STGM website under the “Open Calls” heading.

Besides, STGM created a database, called "Funds Database". The database consists of information regarding several funding institutions and organizations for CSOs in both national and international channels  The database and its content can be accessed at the "Funds Database" page on the STGM website.
 

Lobbying is a form of advocacy, focusing to influence the law and decisions. It aims to influence local, national or international institutions where decisions are taken by representatives. In other words, lobbying attempts to directly influence the decision makers. Although there is a confusion between the concepts of advocacy and lobbying, lobbying can be considered as a part of advocacy efforts. In brief, advocacy does not only target decision makers, it is a long-term course and consists of many other aspects and components.

Stamp duty exemptions are applicable for;

• Contracts & agreements
• Grant Contract itself
• Contracts with employees and experts for service provision within the scope of the grant contract
• Contracts with suppliers

For more information, please check out Communiqué for IPA II 

In Article 2 of the Associations Law, a “platform” is defined as “temporary associations without legal personality, formed under names such as initiative or movement, created by associations amongst themselves or together with foundations, unions, and similar civil society organizations, in order to achieve a common goal.” Additionally, Article 25 of the Law states that associations may establish platforms to achieve a common purpose relevant to their objectives and not prohibited by law, either among themselves or together with foundations, unions, and similar civil society organizations, by decisions of their authorized bodies. Furthermore, the Associations Regulation (“Regulation”) requires that, in the decisions taken by the authorized bodies of associations for establishing platforms, the persons who will be assigned to represent the association must be designated. The Regulation further stipulates that in order for the platform to commence its activities, a memorandum of understanding must be drawn up by the representatives, and this memorandum should include the purpose of the platform’s establishment, the location where its activities will be carried out, as well as the names of the members of the management group and the coordinator.

At this point, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. Platforms cannot be established for purposes or activities prohibited by laws for associations, and anyone acting against this prohibition is subject to the penal provisions of the relevant laws. In addition, although the regulations on platforms are included in the associations legislation, we should remember that platforms do not have legal personality and are of a temporary nature. Therefore, for example, in activities requiring official permits from authorities, official procedures may be carried out with the direct signatures of the civil society organizations that constitute the platform.

Planning generally plays an important role in collaboration with volunteers. An effective collaboration with volunteers in CSOs enables organizations to work with them in a long-term and mutually beneficial way. Collaboration can transform to a sustainable volunteering programme by strategic planning. At the planning phase, following topics are advised to be considered;

• Assess the organization's readiness to work with volunteers. Volunteer Program Assessment, developed by Betty Stallings can be utilized to find out the readiness of the organization for engaging volunteers.
• Goals of Volunteer Programme. Volunteering is a crucial resource and strategy for implementing the mission of the organization. So, measurable and achievable goals should be set for the impact that volunteers will create. Besides, resources that may be required for volunteers (table, chair, computer, etc.) should also be taken into consideration.
• Staffing for Collaboration with Volunteers. Success in collaboration is directly linked to effective coordination. One of the important elements of effective collaboration is to have a "volunteer coordinator" (professional or volunteer based, whose job description is related to the coordination of the volunteer task force).

A successful volunteer coordinator must have knowledge and experience on;

• Human Resources Management,
• Public relations/marketing,
• Communication,
• Resource development,
• Growth of Society
• Education, training and development.

Crowdfunding can be defined as one of the new generation fundraising methods which is a funding system based on financial and in-kind donations/contributions from a large number of individuals.  Individuals are able to provide financial or in-kind contributions by making donations via online platforms.

Some examples of online crowdfunding tools in Turkey can be seen in alphabetical order; Açık Açık, Adım Adım, destkle.org, Fongogo, İhtiyaç Haritası.

Campaigns can be described as a series of actions or activities aimed at a wide audience for building support to provide remedy to a problem or an issue. It can be carried out to influence decision makers with broad public support and participation. In other words, a campaign is also a set of activities in a certain period of time, aimed at both behavioral and policy changes by mobilizing the large masses for a specific advocacy purpose. 

Campaigns should have a decent planning, considering the implementation capacity and;

• The short and a clear message should be conveyed throughout the campaign,
• A call action needs be developed to mobilize the wide audiences,
• It is recommended to be creative and noticeable for the message, visual(s), applications and media of the campaign for attracting the attention of the broad public.

There is no need to issue an agreement/contract with the supplier/service provider. The payment of mentioned good and services may be realized against invoices and submission of VAT Tax Exemption Certificate.

In order to avoid unforeseen circumstances with suppliers/service providers, it’s advised to issue an agreement/contract for procurement activities which is less than 3,500 TL.

In consequence of the 85th Presidential Decree on 12/09/2018 and the 4th article of the "Decision No. 32 on the Protection of the Value of Turkish Currency,", regulating service or work contracts in foreign currency and/or in foreign currency indexed amongst residents of Turkey had been prohibited for trading and locatio of all kinds of chattels, real estates, vehicles, financial leasing, except for the clauses to be designated by the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Treasury and Finance.

Then, in order to determine exceptions, two communiqués were published and through the last one, (Communiqué No: 2018) -32/52) the amendment is made to allow CSOs who have grant contracts abroad are able to issue contracts in foreign currencies, except human resources contracts.

Accordingly, the below table demonstrates usage of currencies, based on budget headings, are able to be applied in contracts of CSOs who have grant contracts abroad.

The key is to encourage people who have required skills for devoting their time and energy to an organization.

Moreover, benefits to be achieved by volunteers should be identified and those need to be conveyed to them in a structured way. For example, voluntary work would be an opportunity to get to know people from a different background and culture? Or build a durable relationship with a child? Or gaining updated information about communication? Etc.

CSOs that are successfully engaged with well-matched volunteers:

• are clear about the skills and background that is needed,
• to engage the entire staff, board and community in collaboration efforts,
• to use different means to outreach prospective volunteers such as on-line listings, newsletters, one-on-one contact, etc
• The "Volunteer Recruitment Toolkit"  will help to identify and attract volunteers as target audience.

The fundraising and resource development concept can be considered by CSOs in a broader perspective. In addition to financial resources, infrastructure, equipment, information and technology are also resources for CSO that are expected to be managed efficiently. Therefore, CSOs should not consider resources only in terms of money, and to plan them in a broader context. Here, volunteers should also be recognized as one of the significant resources in CSOs. Volunteers can take an active role in different areas, from accessing in-kind and financial resources to supporting the operations of the organizations.

Volunteers contribute to several different functions of CSOs in a wider range of areas, such as promoting community engagement and participation in the society and to popularize the success and operations of the organization. Besides, working with volunteers enhances the recognition of the organization, ensures that its operations and works are acknowledged by the society. They also serve as a bridge between CSOs and society and contribute to increase effectiveness of CSOs operations. Moreover, the support of volunteers enables a CSO to run activities easier and in a more effective way. All of these provide an advantage to CSOs in fundraising and resource development processes as well.

You can find more information about fundraising and resource development and volunteer management on Volunteer Management Guide, 501 Commons. For further information (in Turkish), please check out the Turkish version of this page.

Policy Proposal can be defined as making recommendations to change a law, regulation, or government service with the intention of offering a better life for people.

You may refer to the section titled "How to Benefit from STGM" located on our website.

Works and activities of STGM are announced on its website, social media channels and e-newsletter. Please remember to check our website and social media channels on a regular basis. You may also join our e-newsletter by just typing your e-mail address. You can find the registration part at the bottom of each page on our website.

STGM does not have any branch offices or representation offices outside of Ankara. However, STGM organizes various trainings and activities in all regions of Turkey. You may always reach us over the e-mail address at [email protected]

We, as STGM, admit interns from the official internship programs of universities. If you are a student in a university, you may have the opportunity to do an internship at STGM by having your school contact us in the scope of their official internship program.

You may check out the “Announcements” section on our website regarding available volunteer programme. If there is an open for voluntary work programme at STGM, please  assess the requirements of the programme first and then make your application, if you wish.

STGM organizes CSO-specific training or one-on-one activities with CSOs under the special programmes such as "Needs Based Training" or "Organizational Coaching" only. Please check out our website and follow up our e-bulletin to apply to open programmes of CSO-specific trainings or on-on-one activities.

You can contact  [email protected] for your further questions about our trainings 

You may access STGM Publications over the Publications section, download and share with others as you will. However, it is compulsory to give reference in case the publications are to be used in part or whole, and the copyrights of the publications belong to STGM. 

As a CSO, you may request the printed versions of the publications by contacting us via [email protected]. You may request only the publications from within the form to be provided to you because most of the publications are out of print. In the event you request so, the publications you requested will be sent to the address you indicated in the form, on Mondays, via our contracted shipping company, on collect call basis.