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

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

The post The Future of Civil Society, Getting Motivated Against Pressures 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.

The post ‘People Who can Endure the Psychological Conditions of the Country can Participate in Civil Society Activities’ appeared first on Sivil Sayfalar.

I have been in civil society for a while. It would be fair to say that I do not attend a meeting where the phrase ‘civil society is under pressure’ is not used, especially in recent years, but as far as I have seen in the study, this is a somewhat less common thought than I expected. Only 53.8% of the participants said that civil society is under pressure, while women and youth are more insistent on this issue.

The work we do at Havle Women’s Association is relatively less ‘reasonable’ and often draws criticism. For this reason, as an extension of social pressure, we especially feel the pressure of the central government. However, we often talk about the problem of being stuck in this discourse. There is pressure, yes, but there are also ‘leaks’. Despite all the pressure, non-governmental organizations and feminist organizations that work for gender equality persist in their activities. It will be better for us to establish a language that emphasizes the insistence and motivation here.

Our starting point has always been to be involved in the feminist movement with our differences and to see the differences within ourselves.

Another prominent issue in the research is the obstacles faced by institutions. What is the most important obstacle you have experienced institutionally?

Like any institution, financial barriers are also very painful for us. However, it is also very problematic for us that financial obstacles reach a point that determines all our activities. We are close to the danger of becoming an institution that works only for financial resources and we are constantly trying to take measures to avoid such a situation. Fundraising strategies such as philanthropy are not a sufficient answer for relatively less ‘collective’ institutions like ours. The solution is to find models that will better direct our own resources, including our own human resources, but we are still in search.

Apart from all these, inclusivity and horizontal organization are our most fundamental issues. Our starting point has always been to be involved in the feminist movement with our differences and to see the differences within ourselves. Here, too, it is the most critical point for us to reconstruct a structure that sees all our differences and changes accordingly. I think that this point has been seriously missed in civil society. Either there are ‘institutions’ that we feel as if they are not made up of people, or there are a group of people we feel we will never get a consistent response from. I can say that we are trying to develop a way to this.

‘Now “Even” In Europe There Is An “Unease”’

It is possible to say that the results of the research are somewhat ‘pessimistic’. How is it possible to work in this atmosphere and look to the future from here?

There is pessimism in almost many areas in Turkey. Of course, it is not possible to expect civil society to be free from this. Especially the events that radically negatively affect our advocacy activities, such as our withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, increase our pessimism, but I think it is necessary to look at the situations in other countries at this point. Activists in almost all countries in the world are experiencing what we are experiencing in different dimensions. Now ‘even’ in Europe there is ‘unease’. One of the best skills of the feminist movement for years has been the development of mechanisms to enable international solidarity. What I mean by the mechanism is actually areas of learning from each other. We all continue our work and our lives by developing many solutions in our daily life. Sharing these solutions and guiding each other is the most promising thing for me. We must not lose this.

Click here to access the report summary.

*This content has been prepared in cooperation with Havle Women’s Association within the scope of Future of Civil Society Project.

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