Issue: 103
The conference ‘International Development Cooperation: Trends and Emerging Opportunities-Perspectives of the New Actors’ is being organized in İstanbul on 19-20 June and is co-hosted by the Republic of Turkey Prime Ministry Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The conference on International Development Cooperation offers an opportunity to talk about how to practically engage with a range of new and different actors working in the field of development cooperation.
Emrullah İşler, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, and Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, delivered the opening speeches at the conference. The two days conference brings together a number of ministers, heads of development cooperation agencies and senior government officials from emerging and other developing economies and traditional donor countries, with representatives from international organizations, NGO representatives and academics working in the field of development cooperation.
The conference reiterates that renewed and inclusive global partnerships as well as a new understanding of development cooperation are required to address the greatest development challenges, like poverty and hunger eradication, energy poverty, infrastructure deficits, climate change, and illicit financial flows.
During the conference it is pointed out that the scope and scale of South-South and triangular co-operation has increased dramatically in recent years and this has a great potential to positively impact sustainable development prospects in the future.
Within this context, discussions focus on how efforts can be scaled up and applied specifically to support countries in more challenging situations, namely: least developed countries (LDCs), small island developing states (SIDS), and countries emerging from conflict.
The conference is being organized at a critical juncture between the Mexico High Level Meeting on the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation held in April 2014 and the upcoming UN Development Cooperation Forum in July 2014 in New York.
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12 percent of Turkey’s population consists of persons with disabilities. Since 2008, Dreams Academy has been continuing its endeavors to help persons with disabilities get involved in social life.
The new center of Dreams Academy opened in Çukurbağ Village of Kaş will offer free education, production and cohabiting services with alternative, innovative and sustainable methods for each individual and group that has experienced social exclusion for any reason, especially for those with a disability or a chronic disease.
The opening activities for the Academy started on 12 June with Social Inclusion Band's outstanding performance at the Echo Bar stage and continued with the ceremony on 13 June which was organized with the participation of local people.
Gökhan Öğüt, CEO of Vodafone Turkey, other board members, Hansın Doğan, UNDP Turkey Programme Manager, Selami Kapankaya, Governor of Kaş District, Faruk Atılgan Director of National Education in Kaş, Muğla Basketball Team without barriers, İstanbul Dreams Company and press members also participated in the activities.
"We will wake up the sleeping giant"
Ercan Tutal, who is the Founding President of Alternative Life Association's (AYDER) said the following at the opening ceremony of the Academy: "When you turn your back to the sea and look at the mountains in Kaş, you see the shadow of a sleeping giant. 12 percent of Turkey's population consists of persons with disabilities or chronic diseases. These individuals are the biggest minority of this country that do not go out or are not let out of their homes, marginalized because of their disabilities, could not be a part of the social life or the society and they were made to believe that they cannot do sports, or understand art... We will wake up the sleeping giant.”
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This agreement signals Turkey’s enhanced focus on sustainable and inclusive growth in the region.
During the signing ceremony Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu said the following: “Development cooperation has become an integral part of Turkish foreign policy. In this framework, our partnership with UNDP has also been strengthened with a view to enhance our contribution to sustainable development not only in our region but at the global level. Turkey has already increased its voluntary annual contributions to UNDP core budget to 3 million US Dollars. With the agreement we signed today Turkey will contribute 15 million US Dollars to UNDP Regional Program for Europe and CIS, which will be implemented by the UNDP Regional Service Center located in İstanbul. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express our pleasure to host UNDP and other UN bodies in İstanbul, which is fast becoming a regional hub for UN and other international organizations.”
During the signing ceremony, UNDP Administrator Helen Clark commended her counterpart, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmet Davutoğlu, for his government’s commitment to the programme countries of the ECIS region. Turkey will contribute $3 million annually over the next five years to the regional UNDP programme.
“On behalf of UNDP, I would like to express my thanks for the significant financial contribution made by the Government of Turkey”, said Helen Clark. “We have enjoyed excellent cooperation with your Government, and we look forward to working together to achieve concrete, transformative change in the lives of the people of the region.”
The agreement comes as the UNDP Regional Center for Europe and the CIS, which is responsible for implementing the regional programme, is being established in Istanbul with the strong support of the Government of Turkey.
“The excellent geographic location of the UNDP Regional Centre will facilitate better connections with the programme countries of the ECIS region”, said Helen Clark. “A very important benefit will come from UNDP’s co-location in Istanbul with key UN partners – including UN Women and UNFPA – which will improve coordination and harmonization within the UN development system.”
The new regional programme will cover the following areas: inclusive and sustainable growth and development; improved democratic governance, including rule of law and accountability. In addition, the programme will support work to reduce the likelihood of conflict and lower the risk of natural disasters, including from climate change.
Helen Clark further noted during the signing ceremony that the Conference on International Cooperation in Istanbul which UNDP co-organized with the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency, TIKA is a concrete example of the strong evolving partnership between UNDP and Turkey.
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The winners of the 13th Golden Compass Public Relations Awards which is organized by Turkish Public Relations Association (TUHID) were announced on 3 June with an award ceremony.
The Golden Compass is the only award programme in the public relations sector where private sector, public institutions, civil society organizations and young entrepreneurs compete.
“Life without barriers” project won this prize under the category of “Corporate Responsibility” “Other”.
“Life without barriers” project started with the aim of working to support persons with disabilities for their adaptation to life in 2013. Project continues its works in collaboration with the General Directorate of Services for the Disabled and the Elderly, UNDP and Peugeot with support of Ministry of Family Affairs and Social Policies of Turkey.
Equator Prize 2014 has been granted to thirty-five initiatives which represent outstanding local achievement in advancing sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities.
Following a global call for nominations, the Equator Initiative received a record-setting 1,234 nominations from 121 countries around the world.
An extensive review process guided by the Technical Advisory Committee of international experts was undertaken over the last several months, concluding with the announcement of the thirty-five winners.
Mediterranean Conservation Society is the winner from Turkey
Developed in response to marine ecosystem degradation, declining fish diversity and abundance, and associated losses to fishermen's incomes, the Mediterranean Conservation Society has created a network of ‘no fishing zones’ that put local fishing communities in the lead of marine biodiversity conservation.
Focusing on the southern Mediterranean coast of Turkey, the organization is enforcing ‘no take zones’ and effectively communicating the value of sustainable fishing techniques in ensuring the long-term viability of the local fishing industry.
Community-based enforcement strategies are complemented by cooperation with regional and national authorities.
Fish stocks have grown dramatically, as have the average incomes of cooperative members.
Patrolling activities confirm rejuvenated marine species diversity and abundance in the bay, an important nursing ground for species that include sandbar sharks.
Hence, the Society became the winner of the Prize from Turkey.
The ceremony is on September
Twenty-six winners will be supported to attend a high-level awards ceremony at Lincoln Center in New York on Monday, September 22nd 2014 as a contribution to the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Summit.
The Equator Prize is awarded biennially to recognize and advance local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities.
As local and indigenous groups across the world chart a path towards sustainable development, the Equator Prize shines a spotlight on their efforts by honoring them on an international stage.
To learn more about the Prize, please click here.
The closure meeting of UN Joint Programme "Fostering an Enabling Environment for Gender Equality in Turkey" was held on June 4, which was hosted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly Equal Opportunities Commission for Man and Woman (KEFEK).
Cemil Çiçek, speaker of Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), Azize Sibel Gönül, KEFEK Chairperson, Cevdet Yılmaz, Turkish Minister of Development, Aşkın Asan, Deputy Minister of Family and Social Policies, Kamal Malhotra, UN Resident Coordinator in Turkey and Gülden Türköz Cosslett, Director of the UN Women Programme Support Division delivered their opening speeches.
The results and activities of the programme were discussed in the meeting.
The joint programme “Promoting Sustainable Environment for Gender Equality in Turkey" had started on October 2011, along with the cooperation of KEFEK, UNDP and UN Women.
Mainstreaming gender equality in the legislation and policy making processes
With the collaboration of KEFEK which was founded in 2009, efforts were made in order to strengthen national gender equality system.
The programme is grounded on the progress of gender equality agenda in the Turkey since 1990, to foster a more responsive and accountable environment for men and women.
Institutional structures and capacities were strengthened within the framework of this programme to mainstream gender equality art in legislation and policy making processes, subsequently translated into full-fledged implementation, regularly monitored, evaluated and, if necessary, adjusted.
Advocating gender equality all around Turkey
In the programme which ended on July 2014, national legislation monitoring and gender equality awareness workshops were made. Also regional meetings and promotion campaigns that cover 26 provinces were carried out to spread the gender equality activities on a local scale.
TBMM undertook the advocacy of gender equality activities, thus activities were also organized outside Ankara.
The programme reached more than 1500 public sector, private sector and NGO representatives thanks to the regional meetings.
Within the scope of the collaboration with General Directorate of Post and Telegraph Organization (PTT), programme brochures were printed out and distributed all over the country.
Messages regarding gender equality were used on the postage stamps for a year, and finally cooperations between NGOs and public sector was established.
Ankara - The closure meeting of UN Joint Programme "Fostering an Enabling Environment for Gender Equality in Turkey" was held on June 4, which was hosted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly Equal Opportunities Commission for Man and Woman (KEFEK).
Cemil Çiçek, speaker of Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), Azize Sibel Gönül, KEFEK Chairperson, Cevdet Yılmaz, Turkish Minister of Development, Aşkın Asan, Deputy Minister of Family and Social Policies, Kamal Malhotra, UN Resident Coordinator in Turkey and Gülden Türköz Cosslett, Director of the UN Women Programme Support Division delivered their opening speeches.
The results and activities of the programme were discussed in the meeting.
The joint programme “Promoting Sustainable Environment for Gender Equality in Turkey" had started on October 2011, along with the cooperation of KEFEK, UNDP and UN Women.
Mainstreaming gender equality in the legislation and policy making processes
With the collaboration of KEFEK which was founded in 2009, efforts were made in order to strengthen national gender equality system.
The programme is grounded on the progress of gender equality agenda in the Turkey since 1990, to foster a more responsive and accountable environment for men and women.
Institutional structures and capacities were strengthened within the framework of this programme to mainstream gender equality art in legislation and policy making processes, subsequently translated into full-fledged implementation, regularly monitored, evaluated and, if necessary, adjusted.
Advocating gender equality all around Turkey
In the programme which ended on July 2014, national legislation monitoring and gender equality awareness workshops were made. Also regional meetings and promotion campaigns that cover 26 provinces were carried out to spread the gender equality activities on a local scale.
TBMM undertook the advocacy of gender equality activities, thus activities were also organized outside Ankara.
The programme reached more than 1500 public sector, private sector and NGO representatives thanks to the regional meetings.
Within the scope of the collaboration with General Directorate of Post and Telegraph Organization (PTT), programme brochures were printed out and distributed all over the country.
Messages regarding gender equality were used on the postage stamps for a year, and finally cooperations between NGOs and public sector was established.
Future lies in Tourism Sustainable Tourism Support Fund had made a second call for proposals for projects which will support the local economy and development through sustainable tourism.
Projects that were found to be successful as a result of pre-evaluation process had been announced at the end of May 2014.
417 fund applications were received from 66 provinces to the call for proposal and 15 projects were found to be successful.
‘Sustainable Tourism Support Fund Workshop’ was organized on 6-7 June with the participation of these 15 projects.
Two representatives from each project participated to the workshop held in İstanbul and during two days, applicants received sustainable tourism, local development and project management trainings to improve their projects and prepare final proposals.
Participants also received feedbacks on their concept notes and they will submit their final proposals until 20 June 2014.
Future lies in Tourism - Sustainable Tourism Support Fund project is implemented with the cooperation of Anadolu Efes, Ministry of Culture and Tourism and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) since 2012.
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The winning projects and institutions of the 13th Golden Compass Awards were announced on the evening of 3 June in İstanbul.
Simona Marinescu, the Director of the UNDP International Center for Private Sector in Development, parliament members, governors and mayors, jury members, representatives of the public and private sector, professionals on public relations, media members, academicians, and young communication experts were attended to the ceremony.
A comprehensive sustainable development programme
Among so many successful projects, this year Yeşilırmak Electricity Distribution Inc. (YEDAŞ) won the award of UNDP Special Prize for the “Mobilizing our energy” project.
YEDAŞ established a dedicated sustainable development programme to work towards creating an added value to local development challenges in social, cultural and environmental fields which prioritizes 5 cities which are included to its service area and reaches more than 3 million people.
All projects under this programme are unprecedented in its content, extent, area and number of people it covers.
It exemplifies the prospects of raising awareness about environmental issues in the public, attracting women and young people to creative working areas and prioritizing energy efficiency in its programmatic work.
One photo from Gökova Bay from Turkey has taken part in this exhibit, which is about UNDP and GEF’s work in marine and coastal protected areas in Turkey.
As humanity develops this planet rapidly, we can easily forget how completely our lives and future depend on nature’s priceless web. Protected areas not only conserve biodiversity, they also secure the wellbeing of humanity itself.
Photo exhibit presents the multiple contributions of protected areas to human wellbeing and sustainable development.
Protected areas also have a role to play in addressing many 21st century challenges—by securing livelihoods, mitigating climate change and promoting resilience. But to fulfill their potential protected areas need to be effectively governed and managed, and sustainably financed.
UNDP with financing from the GEF supports countries to expand and strengthen protected area networks.
UNDP’s strategy, following UNDP’s Biodiversity and Ecosystems Global Framework 2012-2020, is to unlock the potential of terrestrial and marine protected area systems so they are effectively managed and sustainably financed, and contribute to sustainable development.
More than 2,500 marine and terrestrial protected areas and indigenous and community conservation areas—covering 353 million hectares in 102 countries—have benefited from GEF-financed UNDP-supported investments in governance, management effectiveness and livelihood generation.
Better managed, better connected, better governed and better financed protected areas will benefit all and can be engines for local and national development.
For the local people in Batman, strawberry now means employment and sustainable development.
Hence, the primary school of Yeniköy village in Batman, where the first strawberry fields were laid out four years ago with Diyarbakır-Batman-Siirt development project, was named after strawberry and became "Çilekli Primary School".
Farmers' incomes tripled with strawberry
690 fully equipped and confined orchards were laid out on 8500 decares of land in three provinces with the project which was carried out in cooperation of Turkish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, International Fund for Agriculture Development and UNDP in Turkey.
The project aimed to expand fruit growing and ensure a significant increase in incomes of farmers in three project provinces since 2007.
Before the project started, tobacco was the biggest and most important source of livelihood for Sason province in Batman.
With the supports provided by Diyarbakır-Batman-Siirt project, tobacco, which requires an onerous cultivating procedure, left its place to strawberry for which it is easier to find consumers in the market and which has higher profit rates.
Prof. Sevgi Paydaş Kargı who gave trainings to farmers on strawberry cultivation explains the importance of strawberry for the region: “I think that strawberry has become really important for this region because strawberry can be cultivated here both in summer and fall. As there is a shortfall of strawberries in Turkey and we will be able to export it to other provinces and neighboring countries.”
Strawberry cultivation has become a significant source of livelihood and 20 percent of the local population, who had to work as seasonal workers or had to migrate, was employed and thanks to the products from the orchards, farmers' incomes has tripled.
Sustainable farming which uses water efficiently
Technical study tours were organized for supporting farmers to use the water in their orchard effectively, efficiently and as necessary.
Farmers were informed on drip irrigation systems which are developed according to the needs of seedling, instead of the old traditional techniques that make the soil infertile with the improper and unnecessary amount of irrigation systems.
Later on with the grants provided, local farmers were introduced to the modern irrigation techniques.
Farmers that established the drip irrigation systems started not to use irrigation systems that makes it difficult for the seedling to get the beneficial compounds it needs and that increases the salinity rate of the soil.
In addition, farmers received consultancy support on the subject with the periodical controls made by technical staff of the Research Institute and Provincial Directorate of Agriculture.
With the contributions of the project, 1.2 million seedlings were planted on 2,016 decares by the end of 2013.
Increasing the rate of grants to 70 percent in 2014, 2.3 million seedlings are planned to be planted on 420 decares of orchard which will be built in 2014.
As a result of the project activities, it is aimed to increase the strawberry seedling production in Turkey by 4,3 percent with the supports to Sason province.
* Faik Uyanık, Ankara, 25 June 2014
Eymir Lake is in properties of Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara, and it is one of the best protected lakes in Turkey. Also it is a recreation space in terms of its biological diversity. During the tour we made with the "Solar Boat", Engin Kıran from Clean Energy Initiative became our captain.
The Clean Energy Initiative, whose president is also a physicist, Prof. Demir İnan, works for ensuring wide use of implementations on clean and sustainable energy sources in Turkey.
The solar energy transportation vehicles are not as common as it might be thought. According to Engin Kıran, other energy resources are also added, just in case, to most vehicles that are equipped with solar panels. However, there are only two rows in our "Solar Boat" aside from the solar energy. Thus, the number of boats like ‘Solar Boat’ supported by UNDP's GEF Small Grants Program is very few.
The boat can be fully charged in four hours in a clear and sunny weather. The boat can work for four hours with its four hour-long charging. Moreover, in an outdoor trip, the boat uses the solar energy it produces instantly instead of using the energy in its storage and meanwhile it can keep the energy it stored for the sunless conditions or for the evening.
One might not say that "Solar Boat" is a fast boat. In fact, this prototype boat's speed is 10 kilometers per hour. But this is an informed choice because the engine which will be placed to make the boat faster might shorten its sailing time. This will also require a bigger solar panel. Thus, an engine chosen directly proportional to the solar panel and boat's size brings along an optimum speed for the boat.
As the boat works silently, it does not disturb underwater world. It even "makes less noise than the aquatic birds living on the lake".
The boat is also ideal for a journey on the lake. Sustainable tourism investors and municipalities can make an environmentally friendly and zero carbon emission contribution for touristic regions or urban life with this boat which costs 18,000 USD.
However, it must be noted that solar energy boats can also be used with different panels and alternative engines for harder conditions. A boat, which is named PlanetSolar and which was built in Germany had huge solar panels and it became the first water carriage with solar energy to tour the world in 2012. Thus, the potential is huge.
Solar energy's efficiency
The electricity acquired from solar energy is much more efficient than of fossil fuels or than types of electricity that are acquired in other ways such as thermal plants.
For example, a fuel vehicle can convert only a little part of the potential energy that can acquired from a unit of petroleum (approximately 28 percent). However, for a vehicle working with electric energy, the conversion percentage of a unit of energy used instead of fuel is much higher (approximately 85 percent).
According to Engin Kıran, solar panels are produced from materials suitable for recycling. Thus the "Solar Boat" which is produced from a big amount of aluminum, has nearly no carbon footprint. The solar panel does not have to be on the top of the boat and the boats without panels which sail short distances can charge themselves at the stations built on the shores. Hence, they can continuously go on the defined routes, Kıran says.
This means that in the near future, the solar panels built at shores can be a clean and important alternative for public transportation for cities which have a coast on lakes and seas.
Operating cost
To understand the situation better, operating costs of boats that work with conventional fuel engines and of boats that work with solar energy are needed to be compared. Above all, in order to start the engine working with fuel, fuel should be bought and engine oil, water and general engine maintenance should be provided.
On the other hand, solar panels used in solar energy boats last for 20 years. The batteries last approximately for 4 years. Cost of four new batteries is only about 300 dollars.
Most importantly, solar energy boat does not require fuels and it can be operated for free.
HIGHLIGHTS
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For 20 years, GEF SGP (Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme) supports small-budget projects which are developed by non-governmental organizations about biodiversity, climate change and land degradation. SGP, which is a joint programme of UNEP, UNDP and World Bank, has supported 236 projects so far.
A training programme on "Ensuring Energy Efficiency in Building Inspection" was held in Ankara on June 17th, in İzmir on June 19th, in Erzurum on June 24th, and in İstanbul on June 26th within the scope of the Energy Efficiency in Buildings Project.
At the trainings issues such as Turkey’s energy efficiency policies and targets, legislation on building inspection, key principles of energy efficiency in buildings, problems occurred in energy efficiency practices in building inspection were discussed.
Moreover, Energy Efficiency Checklist and the Guide for Energy Efficiency Checklist were publicized and the participants were informed on how to use the guide.
“Promoting Energy Efficiency in Buildings Project” is being executed by General Directorate of Renewable Energy (YEGM) of Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources together with UNDP with the financial supported by Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, and Ministry of National Education are other partners of the project. The objective of the project is to reduce energy consumption and associated GHG emissions in buildings in Turkey.
Strengthening the capacity of building inspectors regarding to energy efficiency regulations and implementations is one of the important targets of the project.
The trainings on “Ensuring Energy Efficiency in Building Inspection” were conducted in cooperation with General Directorate of Construction Works and General Directorate of Vocational Services of Ministry of Environment and Urbanization.
In the Market Surveillance Programme whose first phase was completed in 2013, different brands and models of six product groups (refrigerating equipment, washing machines, dishwashers, electric ovens, air conditioners and TVs) are sampled reflecting the Turkish market profile to test for compliance with eco-design and energy labeling regulations in force in Turkey.
In the first phase of the programme, 114 samples have been collected from the market and tested at testing facilities of Turkish Standards Institute (TSE).
In second phase, again the same number of samples will be collected but in this case with a more focus on non-conforming products, to identify the change in the rate of compliance.
In this way, the manufacturers and suppliers will be guided for better care in their declaration of energy classes for their products placed on the market, addressing the compliance with applicable regulations.
Market Surveillance Programme is being conducted within the context of Market Transformation of Energy Efficient Appliances.
The training was organized for project partners, energy efficiency consultancy companies, certification firms and individual experts in the past; however, this time industrial companies were also included.
The training programs were held successfully in the European side of Istanbul on 23 – 24 June and in the Anatolian side of Istanbul on 26 – 27 June. By providing team working and case study, it was allowed both industrial companies and consultants to share their own experiences mutually.
Both two day trainings were realized with the contributions of UNIDO Energy Management Experts, Erik Gudbjerg (Director of Lokalenergi A/S, Denmark and International EnMS Expert) and Gerard Doherty (Principal Consultant at Zero Carbon, Ireland and International EnMS Expert). In addition to them 4 local experts, who previously were trained and who successfully passed the exam prepared by UNIDO, took responsibility for each training program as pilot trainers.
Both the inclusion of Turkish experts as trainers into process and bringing industrial companies together with consultancy firms turned out to be a new step for enhancing the local capacity.
The academy has opened as part of ‘Empowerment of Youth for E-Transformation of Turkey’ project which works to increase the number of ICT literates mainly among disadvantaged young people and to create employment opportunities for them to get actively involved in e-governance mechanisms in the country.
Volunteer support
Project especially works with young volunteers and 1200 young people from 79 cities and 129 provinces covering each and every region in Turkey volunteered to provide basic computer and internet skills (Windows Office, digital life, internet safety, security and ), web design and social media literacy trainings to their peers.
Digital Literacy online training tool of Microsoft is translated to Turkish language for this purpose.
Since now, 158,000 young people, children, women, civil servants, local decision makers, community leaders, employees and owners of small enterprises military servants and imprisoned persons have benefited from trainings.
Regional ICT Academies are established in 25 cities so far in partnership with local governments of these provinces.
The Academy in Sivas is the newest ones which opened with the participation of all project partners.
To see all vacancies, click here.
Editor: Faik Uyanık
Assistant: Nazife Ece
Intern: Sena Şar, Doğa Bakar
Contributors to this issue: Abdullah Taygun Yavaşça, Burak Eldem, Deniz Özbek, Deniz Tapan, Gökmen Argun, Hansın Doğan, Hediye Nur Hasırcı
Cover photo: Zafer Kızılkaya/AKD
© 2014 UNDP Turkey
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