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INTERNATIONALLY FUNDED PROJECTS

The Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) has had an international interest while technical and financial contributions from foreign countries and institutions has risen since 1995 through adopting the innovative philosophy of sustainable human development.

The year 1997 in that respect became a year of inception when the “Sustainable Development Programme in GAP Region” project package came into effect under the cooperation of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and GAP Administration.

The main goal of Sustainable Development Programme in GAP is to minimise socio-economical inequalities in Southeastern Anatolia Region. The programme emphasizes the humanitarian dimension of development through pilot projects such as basic social services (education, health, housing), gender equality, urban governance, environmental sustainability, institutional and social capacity building as well as public participation. With an initial number of sub-projects as 28 and a budget of $5.2 million, the programme was elaborated into 33 sub-projects with a financial support from the Government of Switzerland in 2000.

The World Bank provided a grant for two projects related to urban and rural infrastructure development within GAP Region. These are preparatory operations for “Agricultural and Rural Development Services for Şanlıurfa & Harran Plains” and “GAP Urban Planning and Sanitation Project”. A total grant of $650,000 was funded by the World Bank for these two projects. The relations which started in 1997 between GAP Administration and UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) proceeded within the scope of “GAP-FAO Rural Development Programme” that is composed of 10 sub-projects, and the project was carried out between 2000 and 2001.

Relations between GAP Administration and the European Union (EU) were established in 1996 and still continue today. A grant of €43.5 million was funded by the EU for “GAP Regional Development Programme” oriented to the elimination of regional inequalities, achieving regional economic growth, recovering of environmental conditions and protection of cultural heritages. A total of €47 million was provided following the procurement of €3.5 million with the agreement dated December 7, 2002. The programme finished in 2007.

Carried out by the financial support of the EU, “Project of Mitigating Flood Risk in Flooded Areas in GAP Region” was prepared to minimise physical and social impacts of flood, prevent flood risks and build capacity for local administrations in GAP Region that were exposed to flood in October/November 2006. The project involved six provinces that were exposed to flood: Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Siirt, Şırnak, Batman, Diyarbakır. Budget of the project was €17.2 million (€14 million funded by the EU, €3.2 million national co-fund).

It was aimed to provide accessibility to public services by enhancing capacities of women and women’s non-governmental organisations as well as raising awareness in three underdeveloped regions with the Project of Technical Assistance for Empowerment of Women and Women NGOs in the Least Developed Regions of Turkey (Southeastern Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia and Eastern Black Sea) which was funded by the EU. The projects were carried out  in 30 provinces, in three regions. The project budget was €5 million. The project finished in 2013.

A new project, “Innovations in Women Empowerment: A Feasible Model for Women in Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey was started in March 2008 by the cooperation of GAP Administration and UNDP. The abovementioned project signed by GAP Administration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey and UNDP, coming into force on March 25th, 2008. Actualised by the financial support of Switzerland International Development Agency (SIDA), the project aimed at empowering social and economic life of women in Southeastern Anatolia through innovative production and marketing strategies. Participation of women in labour market, branding of products and creation of new marketing opportunities were intended within the project. The project budget is $907,668. The second phase of the project implemented between 2012-2016. The budget allocated for this phase was 110,550 USD. The total budget was 1.1 million USD. The project carried out in 9 provinces (Adıyaman, Batman, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Kilis, Mardin, Siirt, Şanlıurfa, Şırnak) within Southeastern Anatolia Region.

The Adaptation to Social and Economic Life of Syrian Women Living in The Southeastern Anatolia Region Project implemented by GAP Regional Development Administration with the technical support of UNDP and funded by Government of Kuwait in Gaziantep, Kilis, Mardin and Şanlıurfa. The aim of this project was to be adapted to social and economic life in the region of women living in the Southeastern Anatolia Region. Project duration was between March 2016-December 2017, 18 months and budget was 250.000 $.

Within the Mitigation for the Impacts of Syrian Crisis in Southeastern Anatolia Region Project, the livelihood development program has been implemented GAP Regional Development Administration and UNDP in Gaziantep, where the highest numbers of Syrian refugees are, as the area has been impacted by increased demand of local service delivery systems and has the highest potential for economic development. The local partners are Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality (GBB) for the service sectors trainings and Gaziantep Chamber of Industry (GSO) for the industrial sectors training. The project budget was €5.700.000 funded by European Union.

The Strengthening of Social Stability in Southeastern Anatolia Region Project was implemented by GAP Regional Development Administration with the technical support of UNDP and funded by Government of Japan. The project aimed to achieve strengthened stability through increased livelihoods opportunities and better municipal services in Southeast Anatolia in the Syrian crisis context. The project budget was 10.1 million $ and duration was 24 months, between March 2016-March 2018.

The aim of this project is to carry out Turkish language courses, vocational education, skill improvement, entrepreneurship activities and support local economic development within basic principle and rights in work life in order to increase employability of Syrians and host communities. Within project; in ÇATOM (Multi-Purpose Community Centres) and Youth and Culture Houses activiting in Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa and Kilis educate about vocational education, Turkish language courses, basic skill improvement and entrepreneurship. ILO carries out the Project what is “In Order to Improve Mainstay and Humanely Job Opportunities for Syrians That Temporary Under Protection and Host Communities and the Reply of the ILO for the Raid of Syrians in Turkey” with fund provided by Government of USA and the project budget is 800.000 Turkish Lira in the part of coorperation with GAP.

Social Cohesion between Syrian and Host Communities in Turkey through Women's Empowerment Project aims to pilot strengthening of social cohesion among Syrian and host communities in Turkey through women's empowerment. The project budget is 300.000 USD and duration is18 months, between 2019-2020.

Social and Economic Stabilization of Syrian Women and Adolescent Girls Project has implemented in cooperation with GAP Regional Development Administration and UNWOMEN, funded by Japan Government in Şanlıurfa. The project aims to increase the access of Syrian women and girls under temporary protection to lifelong learning opportunities, economic life and sustainable livelihoods, as well as to referral to protection mechanisms and psychosocial support and legal aid services in relation to violence against women. The project budget was 350.000 USD and duration was 9 months, between 2019-2020.

Eliminating Child, Early and Forced Marriage Project is being implemented in cooperation with the GAP Administration and UN Agencies (UN Joint Program) to eliminate child, early and forced marriages. The project budget is 2.500.000 Turkish Lira and project duration is 2019-2021. The project in question has been planned to include Syrians under temporary protection.

Southeastern Anatolia Region has hosted approximate half of Syrian population which is temporary under protection living in Turkey. Overpopulation of Syrians in the region, made a pressure on education, health, urban infrastructure, local labor market, municipality services and other public services. So that, in cooperation with GAP and UNICEF was prepared Strengthening of Syrian Children and Youth Work Plan. The aim of this plan; to contribute to create an environment to live in harmony and together of Turkish citizens and Syrians. The Project occurs 3 components and funds by UNICEF which are Education of Social Harmony, Early Childhood Development, Child Friendly Municipalities. Project started in 2016 and still ongoing. The project budget is 100 million Turkish Lira.