The workshop held at the Kadıköy Municipality Design Workshop on July 25, 2024, as part of the Local Impact Project conducted by the Human Development Foundation (İNGEV), was realized with the participation of UCLG-MEWA. The event was organized to develop more effective responses to the needs of disadvantaged communities.
Local Government and NGO Cooperation Strengthens
The INGEV Local Impact Project was implemented to ensure greater inclusion of vulnerable groups in 10 Istanbul district municipalities and strengthen communication between municipalities and non-governmental organizations. The project, supported by the MATRA fund, aims to promote awareness of social inclusion that both parties should embrace.
UCLG-MEWA significantly contributed to evaluating the project’s outcomes and the networking efforts for potential projects. UCLG-MEWA took an active role in the event by evaluating cooperation opportunities.
The meeting emphasized that municipalities should adopt a rights-based rather than aid-based approach. Additionally, it was stressed that the number of nurseries within the municipality’s boundaries should be increased, and thus, women’s participation in the workforce should be supported. The discussion also covered increasing collaborations between municipalities, NGOs, and universities through joint project applications, localizing data through neighborhood-based mapping, and institutionalizing municipal memory.
The workshop outcomes will be compiled into a report by INGEV, presented to Kadıköy Municipality, and shared with the public. UCLG-MEWA will continue to contribute to evaluating project outcomes, networking, and collaboration activities by participating in such events.