Monitoring Freedom of Association Project II

Why this project?

Civil society in Turkey has been facing increasing restrictions, intensified public scrutiny, and growing distrust in recent years. Legal and administrative challenges, combined with political and social changes, have made it increasingly difficult for CSOs to operate effectively. Moreover, financial and structural constraints present significant obstacles to CSOs’ institutionalization, while also limiting their capacity for advocacy and participation in decision-making processes.

Aware of these challenges, our project aims to raise awareness on freedom of association and participation, strengthen CSOs in these areas, monitor developments in civil society both in the EU and globally, and advocate for a more enabling environment for civil society.

What will we do?

Within the framework of the Monitoring Freedom of Association Project, our work will focus on creating a more enabling environment for civil society, strengthening participation in decision-making processes, and enhancing CSOs’ capacity for effective advocacy.

• Monitoring freedom of association: We will systematically monitor the state of civil society in Turkey and conduct research on the conditions of CSOs and public perceptions of civil society.
• Monitoring public policies: We will examine legislation, financial obligations, and access to resources that constrain civil society. As part of this effort, we will prepare a publication series titled “Challenges to Freedom of Association in Turkey”. We will continue to monitor the participation mechanisms of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), ministries, public institutions, and local governments, and share developments affecting the civil society space with CSOs.
• Participation in decision-making processes: In cooperation with the Legislation Association (YASADER), we will work to increase CSOs’ involvement in legislative processes. We will conduct shadow monitoring of ministerial regulations, strategic plans, and other key documents, carrying out independent consultation processes. Additionally, we will organize consultation sessions with local governments and public institutions to encourage CSOs’ participation in decision-making mechanisms.
• Legal support: Given the rising violations of CSOs’ freedom of association in Turkey, we will provide active legal support to organizations facing violations. This includes preparatory support before audits, legal consultancy during the audit process, and assistance in appealing fines and mitigating sanctions. We will also provide legal guidance by monitoring lawsuits targeting associations, association managers, and administrative cases. The Lawyers’ Network established in the previous phase will continue its work to support CSOs facing legal violations.
• Civil society-public dialogue: We will continue public-civil society meetings initiated in the previous phase to strengthen collaboration with public institutions. We will also use working groups and international events to enhance cooperation with public authorities and strengthen global civil society connections.
• Monitoring the international civil society landscape: We will support CSOs’ presence in global civil society platforms by participating in events such as the EU Civil Society Days and the Council of Europe World Forum for Democracy. We will closely monitor the civil society agendas of the EU, UN, Council of Europe, OECD, and international CSO networks, preparing briefings to inform stakeholders about significant actions and publications. The second International Freedom of Association Conference will also be held in 2027.