Freedom of association will be closely monitored in Turkey
Within the three-year project, the state of freedom of association in Turkey will be systematically monitored. Research will be conducted on topics such as civil society organizations (CSOs) in Turkey, the right to participation, public perception of CSOs, and human resources in the civil space.
Work will also be carried out to strengthen CSOs’ use of the right to participation and to inform them about existing participation mechanisms. In addition, consultation and monitoring meetings with local CSOs will be organized to keep track of developments in the civic space.
Government policies will be monitored regularly
In the new term, barriers arising from legislation regulating the civic space, administrative and financial obligations, and difficulties in accessing resources will be closely followed. In this context, a publication series titled “Problems of Freedom of Association in Turkey” will be prepared. Through this series, the project aims to strengthen the advocacy capacities of CSOs and communicate civic space–related issues to wider audiences.
Decision-making mechanisms will also be closely monitored, and cooperation will be established with the Legislation Association (YASADER) to increase CSO participation in legislative processes. Shadow consultation processes will be carried out on ministerial regulations, strategic plans, and other relevant documents to strengthen civil society’s role in decision-making mechanisms.
Additionally, by closely following the fast-changing agenda, consultation processes will be implemented to enable CSOs to respond promptly to issues requiring intervention.
Legal support for civil society will continue
The Lawyers’ Network, established in the previous term and consisting of lawyers who actively monitor legislation related to the civic space, will continue its work in the new period. CSOs in Turkey will also continue to receive active legal support in cases of violations of freedom of association. Specialized support will be provided for lawsuits such as CSO closure cases, discrimination cases, and cases involving major inspections and fines.
Furthermore, training programs will be organized to strengthen the capacity and interest of young lawyers in the field of civil society.
Dialogue between civil society and public institutions will be strengthened
Efforts to strengthen cooperation with public institutions and foster a culture of working with civil society will continue in the new term. Civil Society Working Group meetings and study visits to EU countries will be organized.
In addition, the global civil society agenda will be closely followed and highlighted developments will be shared with CSOs. Participation will be ensured in international civil society events such as the EU Civil Society Days and the World Forum for Democracy of the Council of Europe, as well as similar events organized by international organizations and NGOs. Support will also be provided for CSOs to attend international events, strengthening their ties with global civil society networks.
Finally, the International Conference on Freedom of Association, first held in 2024, will be organized again in 2027. Leading global civil society experts and speakers will come together at this conference.