In fact, all research on NGOs, both in other countries and in Turkey, contains some common findings. It is possible to collect the main problems encountered in the research under the following headlines:

1. The inadequacy of the regulations in the national legislation or the incompatibility of the implementation with the legal framework,
2. Regression on freedom of association, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, which directly affect the effectiveness of NGOs in all aspects and determine the democratic standards in the relevant country,
3. Difficulties in accessing decision makers and incorporating their demands into law and policy making,
4. Barriers in accessing financial resources and ensuring the sustainability of activities.

It is possible to add a new problem area that we encounter more frequently today, including some European Union countries: Harassment of civil activists, including negative rhetoric to criminalize, de-legitimize and stigmatize NGOs. We can count Belarus, Hungary, Russia and Türkiye as examples of countries where this problem is currently experienced.

When we look at the Civil Society Needs and Motivation Survey, we see that the above 4 heads are reflected in the results of the research. In my opinion, the most striking result of the research is the one related to the evaluation of the impact of NGOs in the last 5 years. As stated in the research summary, there is a serious ‘confusion’ on this issue. The fact that the research was conducted with NGOs and that the results of the survey study are compatible with in-depth interviews require us to pay more attention to the ‘confusion’.

According to the results of the answers given to the question asked in the survey about whether the impact of civil society has increased in the last five years, approximately 68% of the participants think that its impact has increased or remained the same. Moreover, although the interviewees from Professional and Sector organizations and Politically Oriented NGOs stated that the impact decreased at a very high level (45.5% and 42.9%, respectively), this rate is 68%. The results, adjusted for the influence of these two groups, show that more than 70% of respondents felt that the impact of civil society remained the same or increased.

However, the last 5 years of Türkiye coincide with a period in which the transition from the parliamentary system to the presidential system, the state of emergency was implemented for 2 years, the influence of independent institutions including the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, ministries and the Central Bank decreased, and the independence of the judiciary was discussed even before the society. Other studies in this area also reveal results regarding the shrinkage of the civil sphere. Political analysts, on the other hand, make evaluations regarding the increase in authoritarianism.

In a sense, this result also shows that NGOs do not have a more or less common analysis on issues that directly affect their conditions of existence. But this confusion in the analysis of the country’s general conditions is inconsistent with the results in other parts of the study. For example, participants think differently when evaluating the organizations, they are involved in, and they state that the influence of their organizations has decreased, their activity and social interaction have reduced.

In conclusion, this research shows that NGOs should talk more about the political, economic and social conditions surrounding them, generate ideas and make structural changes. Of course, all of this underlines that NGOs have the ability to contribute to change only if there is a democratic and transparent political system, everyone, including non-citizens, can make demands without any political or legal restrictions and their participation is not hindered. This research reveals that the above actions should be taken without ignoring the decisiveness of the democratic standards and political conditions in the given conditions regarding the effectiveness or the high collective motivation of NGOs, which are the tools of organized participation.

Photo: Rita Vicari 

Writer: Nejat Taştan

*This content has been prepared in collaboration with Daktilo1984 and the Future of Civil Society Project.

The post What Does the Civil Society Needs and Motivation Survey Say? appeared first on Sivil Sayfalar.

Civil society in Turkey has always remained in the shadow of the state. From the end of the 70s and the beginning of the 80s, with the rapid urbanization and increasing communication opportunities, with the contribution of the EU process, it was observed that civil society came to the fore as the third sector in parallel with the entire world. In recent years, it can be said that civil society has stalled with an optimistic view. Osman Kavala, one of the symbols of civil society, was arrested on 1 November 2017. Kavala has been in prison since the day he was arrested. The pressure symbolized by the name Kavala, who was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment despite the decisions of the ECHR, is felt on the entire civil society. With the Gezi Park protests, the end of the Solution Process and the July 15 coup attempt, the pressure on civil society increased. Pandemic and economic crisis conditions were added to these pressures. With the blockage of the EU process, this regression became more concrete.

In the ‘Future of Civil Society’ report, the needs and motivations of different non-governmental organizations were investigated using quantitative and qualitative methods. During the research, non-governmental organizations were divided according to the fields they were involved in, as well as categorized in terms of where they stood in the secular-religious polarization.

Organizations in research have been categorized as patronage associations, self-organizations, profession/sector-oriented associations, expert associations, philanthropist associations, fellow citizen associations, and advocacy associations.

When the results of the research are followed in the context of categories, it will be seen that the motivation of the members of civil society is high. It is observed that the anxiety levels of civil society supporters increase as their political distance from the government increases. While high motivation was observed in general, issues such as the organizations not being active enough and the society not showing enough interest were also identified at the end of the research. Likewise, civil society activists who see their own reputation as high do not see their reputation as high in the eyes of the society and the state. In addition, religious structures in general see their prestige in the state high, while secular structures find their prestige low in the state, as expected. Although civil society activists find the capacity, effectiveness, and activity of civil society low, they find the motivation high. However, it will be seen that young people are significantly less satisfied with this motivation than the older people. As for the effect of civil society, when the results are examined, it may be seen that there is a significant optimism, although there is an increasing pessimism as the political position of civil society activists becomes oppositional, as civil society activists become younger and their education level increases.

As a result of the research, it was observed that groups with high ideological or religious motivation are more optimistic about the impact of civil society activities on society.

Although it has been observed that groups close to the government are more optimistic about the situation and future position of civil society compared to 5 years ago, it can be said that optimistic and pessimistic views are generally balanced.

When it comes to the problems of civil society, it is seen that financial constraints come to the fore outside of professional organizations. In addition to all these, it can be said that the confusion in the legislation after the transition to the Presidential Government system also created a communication problem.

In addition to external problems, civil society in general is pessimistic about economic opportunities, productivity, institutional capacity. While a pessimistic view on freedom stands out in structures with high political motivation, professional organizations and charitable organizations have fewer concerns in this area.

In general, there is a differentiation between philanthropy-themed structures and rights defenders, which are seen as more traditional in the interest of the society. The fact that the habit of transferring resources to civil society has not developed except for philanthropy in Turkey has come to the fore in the research as a phenomenon felt by all NGOs that have a resource problem.

It should also be investigated whether there is a dire situation that exceeds the answers to the questions that measure the law and public pressure. Because in the last 10 years, it should be kept in mind that relatively less motivated and less politically engaged civil society activists who would be worried about such pressures may have already withdrawn from civil society. More than 50% of the answers to questions about arrest, trial, ban on events or the closure of the association should be read like this. The high motivation felt by the participants throughout the study is naturally reflected in the answers.

Conclusion

This and similar studies may have meanings beyond what they show at first glance. It can be thought that those who remained in civil society after 10 years of decline were relatively highly motivated, idealistic individuals. When we look at the research, we see people with high motivation, religious or social concerns, who set out for philanthropic purposes. It can be seen that the motivation rate of civil society, which seems positive in terms of human resources, actually shows the narrowness of the human resources pool of civil society. If the rates that seem optimistic are considered together with the decreasing capacity and financial opportunities, it will be seen that the civil society is withdrawing in the face of the pressures. It is understood that civil society is trying to survive by gradually delaying its claim to transform society in the face of oppression. In both traditional and new media, non-governmental organizations constantly have to defend themselves against the allegation of being the bearer of a claim.

In addition to the material and legal needs of civil society, the basis for its development should also be considered. A culture that demands only the state against social problems prevails in Turkey. The function of many non-governmental organizations, like fellow citizens’ associations, is to make the demands from the state systematic. To overcome all this, civil society must have equitable access to public resources, civil society professionals must be able to progress as a career in civil society, and volunteers and donors must be both better represented and broadly rewarded. Civil society should gain access to the whole society beyond being the domain of a group of faithful and motivated individuals.

Photo: Meriç Dağlı

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In our research within the scope of the Future of Civil Society project, we tried to see the needs and motivations of civil society. In this framework, we followed both quantitative and qualitative methods. On the quantitative side, we interviewed a total of 552 participants from 79 provinces. We divided 552 different non-governmental organizations into seven groups, according to their founding purposes and member activities, as citizens, patrons, philanthropists, advocates, self-organizers, specialists and professional sector-oriented institutions. In addition, the ideological identity that these groups express themselves is an important factor for us. There are 110 conservative organizations, 160 secular organizations, and mixed organizations with both secular and religious people. These are 282 organizations. In addition, we tried to put forward a causal story by conducting in-depth interviews with 55 people. In these interviews, we asked the participants 27 questions under 3 main headings. These titles are civil society, democratic rights, political participation, freedom of expression, freedom of association and civil society capacity. In this way, we conducted a wide and in-depth research. There has been extensive research to see the need and motivation in civil society.

On the one hand, we are getting out of the 2016 state of emergency atmosphere. Because the state of emergency is over. However, together with the Presidential Government System, authoritarian practices continue.

Are non-governmental organizations promising today? What about the trust in non-governmental organizations?

There is confusion in all groups regarding NGOs in general. Because, in the field of civil society in Turkey, a crisis of confidence arose in the remaining non-governmental organizations, especially due to the fact that many non-governmental organizations were closed within the scope of the State of Emergency practices implemented after the coup attempt on 15 July 2016. There was a climate of fear, and the gradual deepening of the economic crisis was a factor that could have a negative impact on resources and motivation, but we observe that we are getting out of the 2016 state of emergency atmosphere. Because the state of emergency is over. However, with the Presidential Government System, authoritarian practices continue. Therefore, we presented a fragmented image. In the picture we encountered in this study, there are those who agree that the influence of civil society has decreased in all groups, there are those who say it has remained the same, and there are those who say that its influence has increased. In general, those who are less politically oriented, such as charitable organizations, private organizations, or fellow citizens’ organizations, have a more heterogeneous image, while those who say that their influence has decreased among those with a political orientation and those with a professional-sector axis stand out a little more, but still do not exceed 50%. At the end of the day there is a partly cloudy image.

More than 67% of the participants felt moderate or high levels of anxiety, while their stress level reached 72%.

What are the aspects that organizations have in common and differ from each other?

We tried to measure the emotional and motivational status of non-governmental organizations. While more than 67% of the participants feel moderate or high level of anxiety, the stress level reaches 72%. In this case, it is obvious that the activity rate has also decreased. In the table I just described, those who say that the level of activity remained low due to the shrinkage of the civil society area after 2006 and the decrease in its resources due to the economic crisis reaches 79%. These stand out as the common point of access. Apart from negative issues, the image is much more positive in terms of motivation. Despite all these negative factors, civil society actors say that their motivation is high. The rate of those who feel moderate or high level of motivation reaches 92%. Despite everything, we see that the participating actors still maintain their motivation. There are also points of divergence. There is a partly cloudy atmosphere that institutional capacity in civil society is changing. Although those who say that it decreased are in the majority, it still does not exceed 50% and this time it remains at 49%. There is a 50% split in dialogue and cooperation. In terms of effectiveness, there is a low rate of finding activity, which remains at 47%. Medium and high ones are close to about 54%. In short, there is a divergence in the impact of non-governmental organizations on these topics. Here, I can say that institutions that are more political and more engaged in economic life are a little more pessimistic about these issues. Because political and economic changes are directly affecting their sphere of influence. However, there is a slightly more positive atmosphere in areas that are indirectly affected by the political and economic sphere, be it fellow-citizen associations, environmental organizations or self-advocacy movements, institutions, and where participation is less likely to face any legal sanction.

The younger age group does not see a viable vision as they socialize in an already oppressive environment.

What is the source of motivation of non-governmental organization employees?

Emotional satisfaction and self-actualization stand out as factors affecting all segments in general, but we observe that as age decreases, the motivation for the impact of civil society on society decreases. This may be due to: First, the socialization we are in according to age is important. For example, voters over 30 or participants over 50, civil society was more active in the 2000s or 1990s, when Turkey was relatively free from the current situation. As they played an active role at that time, they were aware of the potential of civil society and thought it could be realized, but the younger age group does not see a viable vision as they are already socializing in an oppressive environment. In our study, we also saw that relatively more utilitarian and more rational motivations came to the fore. We also noticed this in face-to-face in-depth interviews. The motivation to benefit comes to the fore. Rather than just big goals like changing society, that is, activism; short-term, self-related motivations such as the feeling of togetherness come to the fore. Spirituality and religious motivations are one step behind, especially rights advocacy. Here, we see that the participants are motivated to do something good, and a philanthropic behavior has taken place, replacing the traditional philanthropists.

When asked about their experience of being overwhelmed, 63% say that it never happens, that is, the rate of those who are overwhelmed by civil society activities is very low, but the rate of anxiety and stress is very high. This shows that people who can handle the psychological conditions of the country can participate in civil society activities.

How do you see the future of NGOs?

People in NGOs generally participate in these activities with their motivation. For example, when asked about their experience of being overwhelmed, 63% say that it never happens, that is, the rate of those who are overwhelmed by civil society activities is very low, but the rate of anxiety and stress is very high. This shows that people who can handle the psychological conditions of the country can participate in civil society activities. There is a difference here between the general picture of society and the profile of the participants. In order to expand participation, the improvement of legal, political and economic conditions in the society and the removal of obstacles are prerequisites. In addition, if we focus on the internal problems of civil society, the resource problem in general is at the forefront. Solving the resource problem again depends on economic conditions. The economic crisis is very effective here. At the same time, the prevalence of civil society awareness depends on the conditions of the country, as well as the fact that people provide financial resources to these institutions and that they are also resources as active participants. Frankly, I take a slightly broader view. At the same time, we can say this: Turkey has a very high level of polarization. When we look at the general population samples, that is, when we leave the civil society samples and return to the general population, we see that political participation is one step ahead. It is as if there is a struggle for existence in society. Because of this deep polarization, we had to separate secular and Islamic while we were examining it. If polarization decreases, individuals can participate in civil society with more pragmatic motivations in areas that touch the problem areas in their own environment or in their own lives. At the same time, since the risks of non-political ties will be less, I think that progress can be made in cooperation and joint action, but I think it largely depends on Turkey’s political and economic conditions.

Photograph: Shalom de León

Click here to access the report summary.

*This content has been prepared in collaboration with Daktilo1984 and the Future of Civil Society Project.

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‘Politics and Civil Society do not Know Each Other Well Enough’

One of the most important outputs of the research is to show that politics and civil society do not know each other well enough. While defining civil society and its function, political actors make an assessment through the institutions or visible structures they have interacted with so far. However, politics tends to view civil society only as the demanding party. This causes politicians to distance themselves from civil society. Politicians generally either deal with the dialogue they have established with civil society as they establish with the electorate, or they establish it by coming together in certain conflict areas. When civil society organizations come into contact with politicians, they refrain from appearing engaged in politics and try to establish an equal dialogue with all parties.

‘Politics, Like the Civil Sphere, has Narrowed’

Another important finding that stands out in the research is that the interviewed stakeholders stated that politics, like the civic space, is shrinking. In other words, it is stated that it is getting harder and harder to work in the field of politics. Political parties, like CSOs, have problems in terms of freedom of expression and association, and in many provinces, they cannot go to the streets. This causes the social impact of politics to decrease. It is seen that polarization is experienced not only in the civil sphere but also in the political sphere.

‘If the Autonomy of Civil Society is Ensured, its Relationship With Politics and Decision Mechanisms can be Established in a Healthier Way’

There is strong agreement on the need for civil society to be independent of its resources. There is a prevailing view that civil society can become more independent and impartial if CSOs are financially supported by the public administration in a fair and independent manner. However, it is seen that politicians can become more open to dialogue with an autonomous and independent civil society structure.

Among the solution proposals produced by the research to the question of how an effective dialogue between civil society and politics is possible; the need for a legal regulation on the participation of politics and civil society in decisions comes to the fore. However, civil society is expected to communicate with politicians in a more deliberative language.

‘Civil Society Demands Freedom of Thought and Expression from Politics’

In the research, which also includes suggestions about what civil society can demand from politics; Topics such as ensuring freedom of thought and expression, democratizing the functioning of social justice mechanisms and legal justice mechanisms, ensuring more independent supervision of civil society activities, and preventing the prevention of the activities of non-profit organizations by Law No. 7262, which was adopted under the name of preventing the financing of terrorism.

The full report can be accessed at the link here.

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In the evaluations, it is observed that civil society actors find the dialogue and cooperation among themselves insufficient. Some of the reasons for this inadequacy are structural problems stemming from civil society, it is recorded that it is formed by the current political environment and polarization. The research conducted by the YADA Foundation in 2005 reveals that the thematic and ideological closures, which are among the obstacles to dialogue and cooperation, are still felt in the civil sphere.

It is stated that the culture of cooperation, solidarity, and volunteerism that Turkish society has carried from history and tradition to the present is one of the essential elements that nourish the dialogue and cooperation of non-governmental organizations. It is also complained that the lack of dialogue is not limited to the ‘other’, and that there is insufficient dialogue and cooperation between non-governmental organizations that share the same line of thought and operate for the same purpose.

The following factors regarding the barriers to dialogue and cooperation are taken into consideration in the evaluations:

• It is stated that in a medium where the struggle area is wide and the need is high, a small number of volunteers are exhausted from running around to catch up with every problem, they work mostly to save the day and survive, so they cannot look up to see who is around.
• It is stated that every organization focuses on its own project, and that the few human resources are barely sufficient for this reason, because of the pressure climate created by the ‘Let me protect my own organization first’ reflex.
• It is noted that non-governmental organizations are clustered in metropolitan cities, communication and relations with the locals are weak, non-governmental organizations in metropolitan cities such as Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir do not produce inclusive studies with local organizations, and the relationship is limited to certain institutions.
• It is complained that the fund acts competitively in sharing influence and reputation, abstaining from making up for each other’s deficiencies, strengthening their weaknesses, and sharing knowledge and experience.
• In platforms where different non-governmental organizations come together, it is emphasized that each organization focuses on making its own ‘propaganda’, only tells about its successes, does not express its deficiencies or weaknesses and does not request support.
• It is stated that ‘others’ are approached negatively with an ‘unjust attitude’, and stereotypes are acted on instead of understanding perspectives other than themselves and negotiating ideas. It is said that those who are generous in criticizing others become stingy in self-criticism.
• Again, as a result of political and social polarization, civil society is segmented and polarized as close to or in opposition to the government. It is stated that the number of NGOs speaking to all segments is gradually decreasing. It is complained that it is not possible to come together in terms of being a non-governmental organization and defending the freedoms of civil society.
• Even if thematic collaborations take place from time to time, it is said that these collaborations turn into ghettoization after a while.

Good Practices for Collaboration: Women’s Rights and Ecology

It is noted that non-governmental organizations working especially on women’s rights and environmental issues are in stronger solidarity. Organizations such as the Eşik Platform, Denge ve Denetleme Ağı, İvme Movement, Afet Platformu (Disaster Platform), the Volunteering Committee, GoFor (Gençlik Örgütleri Forumu), Türkiye Çevre Platformu (Turkish Environment Platform), No Pesticides On My Plate Civil Society Network, and the Right to Clean Air are shown as good examples in the field of cooperation. In evaluations, it is emphasized that civil society needs stronger relations within itself in order to create policy, enrich policy content, influence decision mechanisms and society. The following are the solution suggestions made by civil society representatives, academia, and opinion leaders regarding what needs to be done for effective dialogue and cooperation:

• Managements of non-governmental organizations should be more sharing and more open to cooperation. They should be able to collaborate more. The mentality of ‘Let it be mine, let it be small’ should be avoided.
• Civil society should not lose its autonomy, it should protect its independence in its relations with politics and public, act in accordance with the principles of transparency and accountability
• New cooperation models at the point of both human and material resources for the problems at the source point should be created and should be open to support and solidarity on these issues.
• We should show more effort to listen and understand each other; joint symposiums, panels and workshops should be organized for this purpose.
• In order to transform the experience in the field into cumulative cooperation, while developing a project, previous studies on the subject should be researched, the outputs produced should be utilized and the missing points should be focused.

As a result, keeping the channels of dialogue open and interacting with the society, the public and other organizations will strengthen the civil society by establishing mutual trust. Solidarity and dialogue will ensure unity and cooperation. In this sense, the importance of establishing networks that transcend political, geographical, and sectoral borders both in order to benefit from the know-how and experience of other organizations and to maintain independence becomes evident.

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In the qualitative phase of the Civil Society Needs and Motivation Survey conducted within the scope of the Future of Civil Society Project by the Civil Society and Media Studies Association, the strengths and weaknesses of civil society in Turkey were revealed, and the necessary steps to be taken for a more effective civil society. We have included the steps. The quantitative phase of the research also supports the views of civil society, academia, and opinion leaders. According to the research results, NGOs see themselves as less effective, active, and less interactive than in the past, but the conditions did not decrease motivation. Although those with medium and high levels of anxiety and stress reach 67.8% and 71.4%, this figure is still 91.9% in terms of motivation.

Civil society participants are still highly motivated, but there is a widespread sense of inadequacy in activity, effectiveness, and institutional capacity. The rate of those who think that activity is low and decreasing reaches 78.6% and 52.6%, respectively. Nearly 50% are pessimistic about institutional capacity, dialogue and cooperation, and effectiveness.

Strengths of Civil Society in Turkey

Although the ‘weaknesses’ have come to the fore in the research and publications carried out within the framework of the title at the center of our study, determining the existence of the ‘strengths’ will be the basis and encouragement for the steps to be taken forward.

Severity of Need

The low level of welfare and the falling behind the universal human rights standards in Turkey intensify the need for civil society activities. Every need leads to the emergence of new initiatives and organizations.

Variety and Diversity of Study Areas

The multitude of violations of rights, low level of welfare, needs in health, education and environmental issues, and problems based on gender roles diversify civil society activities and create the opportunity to appeal to all layers of society.

A Culture of Helping, Solidarity and Volunteering

The culture of cooperation, solidarity and volunteerism existing in the traditional codes of the society are crucial factors that increase participation in civil society activities. The donation culture fostered by the same codes constitutes an important financial (in-kind and cash) resource for civil society activities.

Stability, Resilience and Dynamism

The severity of the need and the elevated level of political awareness bring determination, resistance, and dynamism to the civil society actors. The limitation caused by the inadequacy of human and financial resources is relatively tolerated with the said determination, resistance, and dynamism.

Relations with the State

With the reforms made in the last quarter century, the way for the state to cooperate with non-governmental organizations has been paved, thus enabling non-governmental activities to produce relatively more efficient results both in the state mechanism and in the civil field.

Relations with the Private Sector

Despite the lack of private sector support in terms of both perspective and number, the existence of good examples is promising and encouraging for the future.

Dialogue, Quick Learning and Adaptability

Despite the tension in the social and political field, it can be said that the institutions with the highest potential to talk to the ‘other’ or to come into contact with the different are non-governmental organizations. In addition, it is observed that the ability to adapt to new technological opportunities, business models and positive/negative conditions is high.

Weaknesses of Civil Society in Turkey

It is a bare fact that the weaknesses of civil society, which has the capacity to develop by adapting to new needs and changing conditions, are more than its strengths. It can be said that part of this weakness is caused by non-governmental organizations, and partly by the attitude of the state and the constraints imposed by social codes.

Inadequacy of Institutional Structure

Civil society falls short of creating a sustainable institutional structure based on division of labor and sharing of duties and responsibilities. Although what is expected from non-governmental organizations based on volunteerism is not vertical but horizontal hierarchy, civil society in Turkey confines itself to a narrow area by producing its own bureaucracy and creating a vertical hierarchical structure.

Weak Democratic Consciousness

The problem of weak democratic consciousness in Turkish society also manifests itself in civil society. Freedom of thought and expression is restricted in the in-house structure, channels of dialogue with external actors cannot be kept open enough, and a ground for consultation cannot be built. As a result, local and global collaborations cannot be made and benefiting from different knowledge and experience is blocked.

Weakness of Public Perception and Public Support

In particular, non-governmental organizations working in the field of rights violations are labeled with ideological engagements by the broad public, they are seen as the ‘trojan horse’ of ‘foreign powers’. The discourse and actions of non-governmental organizations are as effective as social polarization in this. Non-governmental organizations focus on narrow, regional problems, often fail to form strong networks within themselves and do not receive sufficient public support.

Insufficient Human Resources and Financial Constraints

Except for a few good examples, civil society in Turkey has difficulties in accessing adequate financial support. This makes it difficult to employ qualified and sufficient human resources. Although resources from abroad, such as EU funds, are a lifeline, the negative social perception created by the government turns these funds into propaganda material against civil society. Again, in this context, another issue that needs attention is the problem of young volunteers/interns. Young volunteers/interns, who are already insufficient in number, are either harassed by excessive workload or are rendered dysfunctional by not being given any work, and their integration into civil society is prevented. Financial resource constraints cause difficulties in providing qualified human resource employment and sustainability. Another capacity problem is related to the quality of the outputs produced, as well as the deficiencies in making these outputs accessible to decision makers and making them visible.

Shrinking Civil Space

The state, which restricts the right to demonstrate and march for numerous benefits, uses excessive force, and keeps civil society under its control through arbitrary inspections, is damaging the trust it should have with civil society. It prevents the impact of the outputs of non-governmental organizations on the law and policy-making mechanism, thus slowing down the development of civil society. As another result of this attitude, non-governmental organizations that get along well with the government are favored in the use of resources and voice, while organizations that oppose government policies are punished with deprivation. The favored non-governmental organizations come under the control of the government and move away from their original mission.

Lack of Transparency and Accountability

Civil society organizations that are imprisoned in identity politics, which give the image of a closed organization or already are, are moving away from transparency and accountability, and therefore from the notion of civil society. As a result, intra-organizational conflicts occur, and divisions occur. Another negative effect of the said weakness is that the trust in civil society is broken or damaged.

Advice and Solution Suggestions

What needs to be done for a strong and stable civil society capable of influencing and transforming society and the state and solving problems can be listed as follows:

• Internalization of democratic culture.
• Strengthening the institutional structure with professional support.
• Making scientific methods of data collection and evaluation processes, employing qualified human resources to do this.
• Reproduction of financial resources and efficient and transparent use of existing resources.
• Keeping the channels of dialogue open and interacting with the society, the state, the ‘other’ and other organizations, establishing mutual trust.
• Abandoning identity politics, acting like a political party, and vertical hierarchy.
• Establishing an equal relationship with the government, avoiding the hegemony of power.
• Protection of independence against political, economic, and cultural power centers.
• Making maximum use of new opportunities brought by technology and digital media.

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In the study, petition applications made by civil society to the Presidency’s Communication Centre (CIMER) and the Ombudsman Institution (KDK) in the presidential government system were evaluated on the basis of international human rights standards.

It was found that the petition applications of non-governmental organizations remained at a low level in the presidential government system and that the civil society did not use its right to petition effectively. In the report, it was also determined that, like all other rights, it would be possible to eliminate violations of the right to petition, with the existence of a democratic environment in Turkey that is compatible with human rights criteria.

‘Monitoring the Applications of CSOs To the Directorate of Communications (CİMER) and The Ombudsman Institution’ was prepared to evaluate the applications made by NGOs to CIMER and KDK, two of the institutions authorized to receive applications within the scope of the right to petition in the presidential government system, on the basis of international human rights standards. It was also prepared in order to determine the level at which NGOs use their constitutional right to petition within the scope of the right to an effective solution and reparation in case of violation of rights.

Prior to this study, in the first monitoring study titled ‘STK’ların Dilekçe Hakkı Başvurularının İzlenmesi’ (Monitoring NGOs’ Applications for Petition Right) prepared by Civil Pages with the support of the ETKINIZ EU Program, the civil society actors were invited to three specialized commissions (Committee on Petitions, Human Rights Investigation Commission and Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men) authorized to receive petitions in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey were analyzed.

‘Monitoring The Applications of CSOs To the Directorate of Communications (CİMER) and The Ombudsman Institution’ was conducted between March-July 2021. After the archive, media and literature review, meetings were held with 7 non-governmental organizations regarding the applications made to CIMER and KDK.

Petition Applications Regarding the Istanbul Convention and Canal Istanbul

In the report, the use of the right to petition by civil society and the responses given by CIMER and KDK are analyzed through two important examples such as the Istanbul Convention and Canal Istanbul.

In August 2020, when the discussions regarding the exit from the Istanbul Convention continued, women’s organizations applied to CIMER with nearly a thousand petitions under the leadership of the EŞİK Platform. These demands, which were forwarded to CIMER by individual women and women’s organizations, did not find a positive response, and Turkey officially withdrew from the Istanbul Convention as of July 1, 2021.

An important point to be emphasized at this point is that women’s rights defenders did not choose to apply to the KDK, although it is a human rights institution. Berrin Sönmez from the EŞİK Platform summarizes the reason for their application to CIMER as ‘to record their requests and to convey their statements to these institutions’.

Canal Istanbul discussions, another important agenda item in Turkey, were also one of the issues that were transferred to CIMER. People from 77 different countries and 69 cities of Turkey participated in the campaign. Many applications made within the scope of the right to petition for Canal Istanbul not to be implemented were rejected due to the determined attitude of the political power regarding the implementation of the project and its political priorities.

One of the few examples made by civil society to CIMER with positive results was the positive response received in the petition campaign of Kazdağı Doğal ve Kültürel Varlıkları Koruma Derneği (Mount Ida Natural and Cultural Heritage Conservation Society) of Doğu Biga Madencilik whose gold exploration license has expired to transfer the gold construction site in Çanakkale Kirazlı to the Regional Directorate of Forestry. With the positive response of CIMER to the petitions, the permits of the Canadian company Alamos Gold, which cut down 350 thousand trees in order to search for cyanide gold in the Mount Ida, were revoked. In this way, Mount Ida, which is one of the important topics in the environment, has resulted in a positive result with the acceptance of the applications.

Petition Applications of NGOs Are Low, They Do Not Use Their Right to Petition Effectively!

The findings of the research conducted by comparing the applications made to CIMER and KDK between the years 2015-2020 according to the human rights criteria are summarized under the following headings:

• The applications of NGOs in the presidential government system remained at a low level, as in the parliamentary system, and NGOs did not use their right to petition effectively.
• NGOs mainly preferred CIMER, their applications to KDK were more limited.
• Among the reasons for the limited number of applications made to the KDK, the fact that the KDK is less known in the public and not seen as an effective mechanism for eliminating rights violations came to the fore.
• Although CIMER is perceived as a relatively more effective institution, when the results of the petition applications are taken into account, it is seen that it has a limited effect in eliminating the violations of rights.
• It was concluded that in an evaluation to be made on the use of the right to petition by the civil society in the presidential government system, political conditions should also be included in the analysis.
• It has been determined that, like all other rights, the effective use of the right to petition by the civil society and the elimination of rights violations will be possible with the existence of a democratic environment in Turkey that is compatible with human rights criteria.
• The reasons why NGOs could not use their right to petition effectively were revealed within the framework of the experiences of NGOs using this right.
• In this study, it was concluded that the right to petition can be an effective method for eliminating rights violations, provided that there is a political environment in Turkey that complies with human rights criteria and observes the requirements of participatory democracy.

Suggestions for the Effective Use of the Right to Petition by Civil Society

Within the framework of the findings reached within the scope of the research and the determinations listed by CIMER and KDK for the efficient use of the right to petition, some of the prominent suggestions in the study in order for NGOs to use their right to petition effectively are as follows:

• Closely following the works of civil actors and public institutions, knowing the legislation well, making applications based on some concrete data and facts.
• NGOs’ insistence on making detailed and qualified applications to CIMER and KDK, reporting the positive and negative responses to the applications and sharing them with the public.
• Making more applications in order to get results from the applications, contacting the relevant public institutions that are the subject of the request, ensuring the follow-up of the applications in various ways.
• Increasing cooperation and dialogue channels between civil society and the public for the effective use of petition right by NGOs in the presidential government system.
• Developing cooperation between NGOs and with law faculties of universities and/or relevant academics in order to overcome the deficiencies of NGOs in legal literacy, political participation, and advocacy.
• Not only NGOs that carry out rights-based activities, but also other civil society actors acquire the knowledge and skills to use the right to petition effectively, and to diversify their advocacy activities based on the acceptance or rejection responses given to the petitions.
• Since it is a human rights institution, more applications are made to the KDK by NGOs for the elimination of rights violations, making more qualified and diversified applications to the institution.

The Turkish version of the report is here, and you can read the English version via this link.

The post Civil Pages’ ‘Monitoring the Applications of CSOs To the Directorate of Communications (CİMER) and The Ombudsman Institution’ Published appeared first on Sivil Sayfalar.

Civic Pages held the last of its series of online workshops, organized with the support of The European Endowment for Democracy, on September 17, 2021, with the title ‘Climate Crisis, Disaster Management and Civil Society’. At the workshop, around 25 NGO representatives working on many issues such as humanitarian aid, disaster response, women’s rights, disability rights, animal rights, sustainable development, the role of civil society in disaster relief, including this summer’s forest fires and floods, civil society stalked about how society can be more effective in disaster policies and how vulnerable groups can be included in disaster policies. 

Journalist-Writer Emine Uçak Erdoğan, who moderated the workshop and spoke at the opening, drew attention to the importance of the social context in disasters and the inclusion of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in disaster policies. Stating that Turkey has made a progress in the fight against disasters in civil society and the public sector, Erdoğan emphasized the need to go a long way in risk management and preparation phases and noted that civil society has an important role in the inclusion of vulnerable groups in disaster policies. 

‘Climate, Environment and Disaster Management NGOs Should Work Together’

At the beginning of the workshop, Sema Genel Karaosmanoğlu from the Support to Life Association made a presentation on the participation of civil society in disasters, and Dr. Alp Baran Uncu made a presentation on local governments’ fight against the climate crisis.

Stating that the 1999 Marmara earthquake was a milestone for the civil area to participate in disaster management, Karaosmanoğlu pointed out the need for civil society to develop different areas in the fight against disasters, the severity of which increased and diversified as a result of climate change.

Pointing out that civil society is successful in post-disaster crisis management, but there are deficiencies in looking at disasters with the eye of ‘risk management’ and preparing for disasters due to the effects of the climate crisis, Karaosmanoğlu said that the climate crisis requires community-based early warning systems in disasters and stressed the importance of defining and understanding the risk, and then to communicate the risk.

Karaosmanoğlu said, ‘As NGOs in disaster management, we are not very articulated with NGOs working on climate and environment, it is very important that climate and environmental workers and civil actors working on disaster management work together’, and stressed the need for inclusion of all actors, including the public, local government, and the business world, to be involved in disaster management. Speaking as one of the NGOs that continue their activities under the Afet Platformu (Disaster Platform), Karaosmanoğlu warned that ‘civil energy should be channeled correctly’.   

‘Knowledge and Expertise of Local Governments in the Field of Climate Is Limited’

In his presentation, Baran Alp Uncu talked about the limited activities carried out by local governments regarding the climate crisis, and the success of cities in the fight against the climate crisis requires a paradigm shift, based on the Cities for Climate Monitoring Evaluation Report prepared by 350.org. 

In the evaluation report, which focuses on the work of 24 municipalities that say ‘İklim için Biz Varız’ (We are here for the Climate) within the scope of the Cities for Climate research in Turkey, Uncu stated that due to the effect of the pandemic, municipal resources are directed to the epidemic instead of the fight against the climate crisis, and therefore the steps taken for the climate are insufficient.  

Stating that there are some municipalities such as Bursa, Kadıköy and İzmir among 24 municipalities that have prepared Climate Action Plans and developed exemplary practices, Uncu noted that the climate justice framework is weak especially in local governments. 

Uncu said that the capacity of civil society to produce a voice at the local level is weak due to problems such as the lack of knowledge of NGOs on the climate crisis, the lack of knowledge and expertise of local governments in the fight against the crisis, the insufficient involvement of civil society in the process, and the failure to share information through transparent mechanisms. 

In the recommendations section, Uncu talked about what needs to be accomplished by participating in the process of ‘transformative adaptation’ and ‘fair recovery’ at the level of local governments and shared the preparation of the climate action plan of the local government in Buenos Aires, which prioritizes climate justice and includes all local actors through participatory processes, as a good application example.

The Importance of NGOs to Advocate Together…

Emre Yerli from the Humanitarian Relief Foundation made observations on the disasters he gained experience in the last 5 years in Turkey. He said: ‘We are in a good place in responding to crises, but the main thing is to develop resistance to disasters without disasters.’ Yerli said that the public authority in the field was not shaken, and that the public was insufficient in both information and resource sharing. He said that there is a lack of information on the civil society’s response to disasters, and that for this reason, the disaster response process ‘advances blindly’. 

Indicating that the survival of civil society in the field is financially difficult and that the public should contribute to the work of civil society, Yerli emphasized that civil society cannot be successful enough in disaster management unless it is ‘on an equal footing with the public and is respected’. Yerli shared that NGOs have little dialogue among themselves, through the example of reactions to IHH during forest fires, despite being an accredited institution, due to ideological polarization. ‘We must advocate as one body. If we say each man for himself, we will experience more disasters.’ Yerli also emphasized the need for a qualified communication network in disasters and emergencies throughout Turkey.   

Anıl Kocaoğulları from the Yereliz Derneği, which publishes a report on the struggle of local governments against disasters, drew attention to the problems in the approach of the public to civil society in disasters. He shared that during the pandemic, local governments that implemented innovative practices produced by NGOs, such as Askıda Fatura (paying bills as a charity), and expanded their sphere of influence, did not continue to communicate with these NGOs afterward, as an example of the weakness in civil society-public cooperation. Kocaoğulları also drew attention to the importance of new and different approaches from the ongoing understanding of civil society, and the need to include social initiatives and new non-governmental organizations in disasters.  

Emrah Kurum, from the Sustainability Steps Association, explained that the tendency to prioritize vulnerable groups in major disasters, in particular for Sustainable Development Goals, brings new grievances. Stating that the need for adaptation of cities in the fight against the climate crisis comes to the fore, Kurum drew attention to the importance of associating civil society with issues that should be embraced and raising awareness. He stated that as an association, with the ‘Solutions to Problems Meeting’ series, they continue their activities to include solutions from the field and the experiences of different institutions, so that other institutions include good practices in their own processes and produce solutions.  

‘It’s Important to Provide Service to the Disaster Victim, Not Whose Name is at the Fore’ 

Ercüment Arabacı from the Nef Foundation, who attended the workshop from Manavgat, drew attention to the importance of public-NGO cooperation and reminded that it is not the name of the institution that stands out in the disaster area, but the delivery of the service needed by the disaster victim. Noting that they have successful communication with the relevant public institutions and officials such as AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency) in disaster areas, Arabacı stated that they are trying to solve the problems quickly in cooperation with the Afet Platformu, and that it becomes difficult to get successful results in case of competition between NGOs. 

Gülnur Aksop, who participated in the workshop on behalf of the Deniz Yıldızı Association and the EŞİK Platformu, reminded the Civil Coordination Center Against Disaster, Neighborhood Disaster Support Project, Women’s Solidarity Foundation, Akut effective civil cooperations established after the 1999 earthquake. She underlined from the experience of the civil organization that she was involved in the earthquake that the main issue was to create disaster awareness in the cities, and this should be shaped by the organization starting from the neighborhood.  

In order to create a human, environment and value-oriented ecosystem, rapid steps must be taken to increase social resilience. 

We are waiting for the contributions of NGOs to prepare it. 

Red Crescent Istanbul Branch President Kadem Eksi, like the other participants, said that even though Turkey is ‘Number 1’ in disaster response, there are serious problems in risk management. Ekşi, who is also the Chairman of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Earthquake and Natural Disasters Commission, stated that they expect the contributions of NGOs for the report they will prepare to make Istanbul a resilient city against disasters such as earthquakes. ‘Local governments cannot undertake the preparations for a major earthquake on their own, the civilian pillar must not be missing.’ Ekşi underlined that rapid steps should be taken to increase social resistance in order to create a human, environment, and value-oriented ecosystem instead of ‘paper’ plans. 

Ekşi also stated that there is a need for legislative regulation and an ecosystem in which all actors and resources are blended together, prevention of waste of human and financial resources during disasters. He noted that in coordination with civilian initiatives, the problems will be overcome not with the understanding of crisis management but with risk management. 

‘Are We Managing Our Own Crisis as Civil Society?’

Ertan Karabıyık from the Development Workshop drew attention to the importance of questioning what the positions of NGOs and civil society are in disasters despite the existence of organizations formed by civil society in the focus of climate crisis. Pointing out that civil society was not sufficiently involved in the forest fire in Tunceli, Karabıyık stated that the political and scientific aspects of the disaster issue were overlooked and said, ‘Are we, as civil society, managing our own crisis?’

Bulut Bagatır from İklim Haber drew attention to the importance of the media in the fight against the climate crisis. Referring to the prevalence of indignation journalism, Bagatır stated that they are trying to explain the causes of the climate crisis and the steps to be taken to combat it, on the axis of climate journalism. Bagatır, who touched on the need for the media to offer solutions in the fight against disaster and climate crisis with the understanding of solution journalism, reminded the necessity of paying attention to science.  

In the second part of the workshop, the participants shared their views and experiences on the solution of problems and the vision for the future. 

Rezzak Elazat from Toplumsal Afet Platformu said that since 2013, they have been trying to contribute to many disasters, that they have also worked for animal rescue and private individuals, and that they can share their experiences with any institution they wish. Explaining the need for organizations advocating for rights and climate activists to work together, Elazat said, ‘Turkey is a land of disasters, we are constantly affected by disasters. We must act fast to find solutions. We must go to the field. There is no time left for political speeches.’

Ignored in Disasters: Children, Disabled and Animals 

Gizem Kıygı from Şehir Dedektifi touched upon children whose victimization is often overlooked in disasters and said that there is a perception in society that children do not experience disasters. The fact that the public has a very centralized structure is reflected in disaster management, therefore, NGOs that want to carry out monitoring and advocacy studies cannot access the data they need to obtain from the public, that this creates a problem in the preparation of instructive proposals on issues such as humanitarian aid. 

Öykü Yağcı from Yunuslara Özgürlük Platformu also talked about the necessity of organizing in a way that covers all species of animals in the fight against climate change and disasters. Reminding that the animals are often ignored in disasters and considered as ‘loss of property’, Yağcı drew attention to the importance of shaping disaster policies with this approach, and that animals are also ‘alive’. Reminding the refugees who are among the disadvantaged groups during the disaster process, Berna Yüksek from the Association for Assistance, Solidarity and Support for Refugees and Asylum-Seekers drew attention to the importance of evaluating not only external migration but also the effects of climate on internal migration. Bahar Yavuz, from Engelli Kadın Derneği, draws attention to the problems of the disabled, another group whose victimization is ignored during disaster periods, and stated that the disabled are not included in the planning and policies before, during and after the disaster. She stated that the disabled and all vulnerable groups should be taken into account, considering the determination of disaster policies, the transportation of the disabled to safe areas during the disaster, and the emergence of new disabilities after the disaster.   

Ebru Arıman from Vegan Derneği, another participant who reminded us of animals whose rights were violated in disasters, stated that we all experienced together in recent disasters the problems created by acting with speciesist views. Stating that they also did not know how to act in a situation like a forest fire and they tried to eliminate their shortcomings, Arıman said, ‘We need to make a disaster plan that considers all living things equal, regardless of human or animal, by all civil actors, including human-centered NGOs. Disaster response training for animals is also required.’

Cover Image: Sema Genel Karaosmanoğlu

The post ‘Civil Society Should Evaluate Coordination and Cooperation Opportunities for Effective Disaster Management’ appeared first on Sivil Sayfalar.

The issue of financial sustainability is an issue that is on the agenda of everyone who is somewhat specialized in civil society but has become a burden that they cannot cope with. Civil society should not depend on the fund. Let the civil socialist become massive with their own unique problem determination. Let him appear like a hero, reach thousands with a small move. Let him drag the masses behind him, collect donations from them. Let him find the money to support himself with these donations and let him do the project work to expand his idea. In the meantime, he should never get tired, everyone should be all ears to him, he should always keep people who dream of his dreams around him. Let the project be a secondary resource. But he should not earn that much money, so his name should not be involved in corruption. Always be in balance. Absolutely perfect utopia! But my 5 years of experience at YADA (About Life) Foundation and 3 years of experience at Havle Women’s Association remind me almost every month how impossible this is.

As I pointed out in the previous article, how can we think that civil society, which has become so ‘guilty’ and has to make short moves in its narrowing field, will ensure its financial sustainability through mass donation methods? Even many organizations that would seem relatively ‘less political’ are suddenly associated with a political actor, become infamous, and then face extinction. Institutions that are struggling to survive with foreign funds are also trying to struggle with the fact that these funds are called ‘traitors’ due to the bad reputation of these funds.

Here, instead of serving the idea of the illegitimacy of the fund, it is necessary to produce alternative ways or, if so, to ‘save the funds’ from the institutions. Civil society experts need to develop alternatives to an idea that doesn’t fit with Turkish society, such as a donation. Normally, such an article ends here, of course, with the transfer of responsibility to someone else… But I have a humble suggestion.

In many of the studies we have done at YADA, we have seen that civil society does not sufficiently evaluate the potential it has with its unique expertise. The access of an association dealing with a common disease to information and medicines or foods, the research skills of an association that produces information, the potential of institutions that construct and provide training to fill the existing gap in this regard. This and many similar opportunities can actually be converted into money and can be turned into a financial resource by providing services to the private sector and local governments, public institutions and international organizations through the economic enterprises of existing non-governmental organizations. It can transform in many different instances. One of the most unique examples here is the Value for Equality social initiative, which grew out of AÇEV (Mother & Child Education Foundation). What if we multiplied such examples, if we didn’t fall to the point of seeing making money as distant because we don’t fit our ‘heroic’ behaviors, and if we didn’t have to worry about money while striving for the future we dreamed of? What would it be like?

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