WORKSHOP ON OPPORTUNITIES FOR EU PROJECTS: SOCIAL SOLIDARITY, VOLUNTEERISM AND FIGHT AGAINST DISASTER

In the framework of strengthening integrated strategy in order to invigorate financial cooperation between Turkey and EU in IPA-3 period, a workshop on “Opportunities for EU Projects” under the theme of “Social Solidarity, Volunteerism and Fight Against Disaster” was organized. As World Academy for Local Government and Democracy (WALD), we took part in the workshop along with representatives of national and international institutions, non-governmental organizations such as Directorate of EU Affairs, Turkish National Agency, Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) and academics.

During the opening session, Ambassador Faruk KAYMAKCI, addressing to over 500 participants, shared valuable information about IPA 3, TÜBİTAK, Horizon, Erasmus+ and ESC programmes. Ambassador KAYMAKCI touched upon issue of migration and put emphasis on finding common solutions to the problems in the common continent Europe.

Vice Chairperson of the EU Delegation to Turkey Eleftheria PERTZİNİDOU indicated that solidarity is at the core of Civilian Protection Mechanisms and underscored the importance of Turkey’s involvement in this mechanism. 

Director General for Financial Cooperation and Project Implementation of Directorate for EU Affairs Bülent ÖZCAN expressed that Horizon Europe programme should be harnessed well especially with the cooperation between non-governmental organizations and universities. 

Third session started with the presentation of Assistant Specialist at Turkish National Agency Yasin DÖNMEZ on Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps grant programmes. Dönmez indicated that with these endeavours young people are encouraged for personal, educational, social, civilian, vocational development and expressed that those young people who will take part in projects under these themes should adopt “perspective of sustainable development”. DÖNMEZ also explained the main reason for these programmes as getting young people involved voluntarily in projects at home and abroad thereby contributing to the society.

Workshop ended by giving information about EU projects and new project headings.