Outputs
A.1.1.12. Develop recommendations for the development of a secondary legislation (regulation) for honours and ceremonies arranged by local authorities
The activity was launched in June 2021, with a desk review of the legal frameworks regulating the honours and ceremonies in the EU member states.
A strategy has been developed to enable the MoI/MoEUCC to effectively respond to other countries’ requests for information and experience sharing on local administration reform processes.
In line with the findings of the review on other practices in EU member states and online fact-finding meetings held with the representatives of the MoEUCC and selected municipalities, a draft regulation regulating honours and ceremonies in Turkey was developed.
“Regulation on Expenditures from Municipal Budget for Representation, Hospitality dnd Ceremonies” was shared with the SGLDP and CGLA members and the municipalities participating in the fact-finding studies, together with the opinion form and the draft regulation recommendations were finalized as a result of the opinions and suggestions.
Outputs
- Strategy and Regulation on Honours and Ceremonies
A.1.1.13. Assess the impact born by localizing EU acquis on the work and responsibilities of local authorities in Turkey
The activity has been completed.
Which chapters of the EU acquis to be selected was decided as part of the workshops held on 23-24 May 2019.
The activity focuses on the four chapters of the EU Acquis each of which will be elaborated under specific subtopics as below;
1. Chapter 12. Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy – food safety
2. Chapter 19. Social policy and employment – social inclusion and social protection
3. Chapter 27. Environment -solid waste and noise pollution
4. Chapter 32. Financial Control-internal control and audit
Field study on these chapters was carried out in the provinces of Ankara, Ardahan, Burdur, Denizli, Eskişehir, Gaziantep, İzmir, Konya, Kahramanmaraş and Manisa. A report on these studies was prepared.
Workshops
To finalize the current situation analysis, 4-day workshops were held for each sub-topic in Ankara on 8-11 October 2019.
Outputs
- Current Situation Analysis Report on Implementation of the EU acquis at the Local Level
- Comparative Analysis Report
- User-Friendly Manual
A.1.1.14. Develop and publish a full comparative assessment study on functioning of the local authorities
The activity has been completed. A comparative assessment and current situation analysis study were conducted on selected areas of service delivery (approximately 5 areas) in 6 selected EU member states.
Workshops
As part of the workshops held on 23-24 May 2019, a workshop was held with the participation of newly established support groups in order to include the forecasts and inputs of the municipalities in the report in order to complete the fact-finding mission.
Outputs
- Comparative Assessment Study on Functioning of the Local Authorities
A.2.2.1. Develop and implement local service delivery standards in order to simplify the processes for service provision
Workshops
The Workshop on Determination of Service Standards in the Scope of Development and Implementation of Local Service Delivery Standards was organized on 18 February 2020 with the participation of representatives including at least one participant from senior managerial level (Secretary General and/or Deputy Secretary General) from various service units (social services, early childhood and female-family services, health services, transportation services, zoning and urbanization services, environmental services, park, garden and recreation services, culture services, agricultural services, fire services, police services, etc.) of 10 MMs (Ankara, Denizli, Tekirdağ, Ordu, Muğla, Kahramanmaraş, Konya, Kocaeli, Van, Elazığ).
In consultation with MoEUCC and MoI, five service areas where local service delivery standards will be developed were determined at the focus group meetings held on 29 January 2020 (3rd SGLDP and CGLA meeting) and 18 February 2020 with the participation of 10 MMs. The results of the surveys conducted at these meetings were compiled for the Current Situation Analysis Report.
Structured online interviews were conducted with relevant representatives of five service areas in selected municipalities to gain a deeper understanding on specific areas that require service delivery standards.
Service areas were determined as public health, public transportation, fire service, elderly care and rural services each of which including crisis management aspect such as Covid-19.
Online fact-finding meetings were held with the representatives of;
- Konya MM, Tekirdağ MM, Muğla MM, Ankara MM, Eskişehir MM, Balıkesir MM, Polatlı Municipality, Water and Sewerage Administrations of Ordu, Erzurum and Muğla under the scope of “provision of rural area services” on 24 February 2021
- Konya MM, Eskişehir MM, Denizli MM, Gaziantep MM, Tekirdağ MM, Ankara MM, MoH, MoEU under the scope of “provision of public health services” on 11 March 2021
- Ankara MM Directorate of EGO, Eskisehir MM, Bursa MM, Denizli MM, Konya MM, Kocaeli MM, Bursa MM, MoEU and Turkish Standards Institution (TSI) under the scope of “provision of public transportation services” on 7 April 2021
- Denizli MM, Eskişehir MM, Kahramanmaraş MM, Muğla MM, Tekirdağ MM, Samsun MM, Yalova M., Turkish Institute of Standards, Balıkesir MM, MoEU, Turkish Standards Institution (TSI) under the scope of “provision of fire services” on 8 April 2021
- Çanakkale Municipality., Denizli MM, Muğla MM, Muğla MM Center for Disability Services, Konya MM, Kahramanmaraş MM, Eskişehir MM, MoEU and Turkish Standards Institution (TSI) under the scope of “provision of homecare for elderly services” on 9 April 2021
- Palma (Spain), Porto (Portugal), Trento (Italy), Gorenjska (Slovenia), Lousada (Portugal), Zoersel (Belgium), Mioveni (Romania), Ragusa (Italy), Milano (Italy) and Munchen (Germany) under the scope of 5 service areas
Results of interviews and focus group discussions were compiled in a Current Situation Assessment Report of each service area.
Based on the findings from the fact-finding studies conducted with EU and Turkish municipalities as well as the desk review, draft service delivery need standards were developed for the use of municipalities on selected 5 areas one of which will prioritize public health service delivery standards in line with the emerging needs in response to Covid-19 outbreak and all other pandemics.
Draft service standards were discussed and finalized with the representatives of 10 selected MMs (Konya MM, Tekirdağ MM, Balıkesir MM, Kahramanmaraş MM, Gaziantep MM, Ordu MM, Muğla MM, Denizli MM, Ankara MM and Eskişehir MM) in two 1-day workshops held in Ankara on 18-19 August 2021.
Ten 1-day seminars are planned to be held in 10 selected MMs with the participation of governorships, district governorships, municipalities, provincial directorates of relevant ministries and other relevant institutions in order to provide information about the service delivery standards developed and to discuss their actual implementation at the local level. The first of these seminars was held on 1 September 2021 in Tekirdağ in the fields of preventive and protective fire services, public health and public health in public transportation services, the second on 3 September 2021 in Eskişehir in the fields of elderly home care, public health and public health in public transportation services, the third on 9 September 2021 in Ordu in the fields of agricultural support, public health, preventive and protective fire services and the fourth one on 13 September 2021 in Ankara in the fields of elderly home care, public health and public health in public transportation and agricultural support services.
Based on the results of the workshops and seminars, implementation guidelines were prepared for service delivery standards.
A face-to-face meeting was held with the Turkish Standards Institution (TSI) regarding the new standards on 12 January 2022.
Outputs
- Current Situation Assessment Report
- Local Service Delivery Standards
- Implementation Guidelines
- Local Service Standard Documents in 5 service areas to be developed in cooperation with Turkish Standards Institution
Component 2: Capacity Building for New Metropolitan Municipality Model and Inclusive Local Governance Processes
A.2.1.1. Assess the impact of the implementation of legislation on local authorities
This activity was completed.
90 face to face interviews were conducted with the local administrators and the authorities at the national level. Focus Group Meetings and Workshops were organized as detailed below.
Focus Group Meetings
- The 1st Focus Group Meeting was held on 11-12 December 2019 with the participation of the Deputy Mayors of the Metropolitan District Municipalities.
- The 2nd Focus Group Meeting was held on 18-19 December 2019 with the participation of the Metropolitan Municipal Council Members.
- The 3rd Focus Group Meeting was held on 25-26 December 2020 with the participation of former Mayors, Municipal Council Members and Bureaucrats.
- The 4th Focus Group Meeting was held on 8-9 January 2020 with the participation of representatives of Metropolitan Municipalities and District Municipalities.
Workshops
- The 1st Workshop (Workshop of Municipal Affiliated Organizations and Municipal-led Enterprises) was held on 12-13 February 2020 with the participation of the General Manager/Deputy General Managers of the Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Administrations, high-level representatives from the municipal-led enterprises and a Secretary General/Deputy Secretary General responsible for the municipal affiliates and enterprises .
- The 2nd Workshop (Workshop on Social Services in Metropolitan Municipalities) was held on 19-20 February 2020 with the participation of Deputy Secretary Generals of Social Services from Metropolitan Municipalities and two Managers from related departments, as well as Deputy Mayors responsible for Social Services from Metropolitan District Municipalities.
- The 3rd Workshop (Workshop on Impact Assessment of Local Administration Reforms) was held on 4-5 March 2020 with the participation of high-level representatives from the relevant central governmental bodies, 30 MMs, 26 Provincial Municipalities and Special Provincial Administrations in 25 provinces.
The National Conference was held on 21 October 2021 in Ankara with the participation of representatives from the Presidency, Ministries and other central governmental institutions, as well as Union of Municipalities of Turkey and Ilbank (Provincial Bank), governorships, metropolitan, provincial and district municipalities, provincial and district citizens’ assemblies, members of municipal councils, mukhtars, NGOs and the academy.
Outputs
The surveys were conducted on the municipal managers and the survey report was completed.
- Impact Assessment Report
- Policy Recommendations Report
- Benchmarks for Success
A.2.1.2. Develop a software system for monitoring of the progress against the implementation of reforms in local administration
The System Design Report and Recommendation Report on Improvement to the General Activity Report of MoEUCC were completed.
15 capacity building training themes (30 days in total) to be delivered to MoEUCC/GDLA staff who are involved in the preparation of the General Activity Report of Local Administrations (GARLA) were identified and the distance training programme on the topics including GARLA, budget management, budget analysis, municipal revenues, municipal enterprises, accounting, internal audit and control, accounts receivable, municipal loans, strategic plan and performance management was completed successfully.
Outputs
- System Design Report
- Recommendation Report on Improvement to the General Activity Report of MoEUCC
- Implementation Guideline on Preparation of General Activity Report
- Two Training Modules for MoEUCC/GDLA and MoI/GDPA Staff
A.2.1.3. Develop modelling for the implementation of new Metropolitan Municipality Model in different contexts and enhance cooperation and collaboration among the MMs based on the modeling developed
An online structured survey was conducted with the participation of 2150 representatives from both Metropolitan Municipalities and Metropolitan District Municipalities in the period of September-October 2020, and the results of the survey were used to match municipalities according to their needs and good practices in online experience sharing meetings.
Needs Assessment Report was completed.
The Needs Analysis Report was submitted and discussed with the Support Group on Legislation Drafting Process and Consultative Group of Local Authorities and experience sharing meetings were scheduled.
19 experience sharing meetings between municipalities were completed with more than 3,000 participants, and more than 70 presentations were made.
Workshop on Enabling Experience Sharing Between Municipalities and Award Ceremony was held on 26 June 2021 in Ankara.
Report on Results of the Experience Sharing and Know-how Activities at Matched MMs was completed.
Outputs
- Needs Assessment Report
- Report on Results of the Experience Sharing and Know-how Activities at Matched MMs
- Action Plan
- Online Experience Sharing Platform for Municipalities
A.2.1.4. Develop and Deliver Customized General Management and Job Skills Training Modules for the Use of the GDLA to be delivered to new MM
This activity was completed.
An online structured survey was conducted in December 2020 with the participation of local administrators from MMs, members of metropolitan municipal councils and district municipalities of metropolitan cities. More than 1.600 representatives of municipalities participated.
Training Needs Assessment Report was developed and introduced at the online workshop conducted on 17 March 2021 with the participation of representatives from the Metropolitan Municipalities, Metropolitan District Municipalities and the Union of Municipalities of Turkey and the report was finalized.
In 37 topics (Importance and Roles of Human Resources Management, Basic Principles of HR Management in Municipalities, Introduction to Public Procurement Legislation, State Procurement Law, Personnel Employment Methods, Disciplinary Practices, Public Financial Management System, Municipal Revenues, Basic Municipal Knowledge, Duties and Authorities of Municipalities, Training Services of Municipalities, E- Municipality, Smart Cities, Brand Cities, Livable Cities, Cultural Heritage of Cities, Culture and Art Services, National and International Funding Sources for Municipalities, Project Cycle Management, Participation and Local Democracy, Participatory Planning, International Protocol Training, Development of Economy and Trade, Tourism Services, Expropriation, Zoning Law, Make-up and Implementation of Zoning Plans, Zoning Management in Metropolitans, Official Correspondence Rules, Archive and Document Management, Leadership and Executive Development, Quality Management, Time Management and Efficient Work, Communication and Public Relations, Presentation techniques, Diction and Elocution, Crisis Management and Problem Resolution) trainings were held with more than 1,500 participants and the training program was completed.
Outputs
- Training Needs Assessment Report
- Distance Learning Modules Targeting Municipalities
- Documentary Style Short Movie
- Success and Human Stories
A.2.1.5. Conduct a study on the projection of new local administration system, which will be introduced with the abolishment of special provincial administrations in accordance with the Law No: 6360
This activity was completed.
Online interviews were conducted with 8 different focus groups (muhtars, service delivery, irrigation unions and relevant local authorities) consisting of approximately 46 participants.
A Comparative Evaluation Report analysing the situation before and after the Law No. 6360 was prepared.
The Prioritization Report and Draft Action Plan were prepared.
Outputs
- Comparative Assessment Report
- Draft Action Plan
- Prioritization Report
A.2.1.6. Conduct a current situation analysis concerning the evolving role of neighbourhood management and road map for its improvement in light with the new local administration system, mainly the introduction of new MMs
The activity was completed.
Online interviews with central and local government officials were completed in November 2020. Online interviews were held with the participation of more than 60 representatives from central and local governments, provincial organizations and mukhtars, academicians, NGOs, Citizens’ Assemblies, Metropolitan and Metropolitan District Municipalities in order to receive their views and comments on the changing role of the neighbourhood management system.
Comparative Assessment Report on Neighbourhood Management and Report on the Results of the Interviews were prepared.
Three one-day consultation meetings at district, provincial and national levels were organized on 8 March 2021, 11 March 2021 and 18 March 2021.
The Report of Consultation Meetings was prepared.
Policy Paper and Road Map on Improvement of Neighbourhood Management System were completed.
Outputs
- Report on the Results of the Interviews
- Comparative Assessment Report on Neighbourhood Management
- Policy Paper and Road Map on Improvement of Neighbourhood Management System
A.2.2.2. Develop and Implement Participatory Local Governance Model for new 14 MM
Structured online interviews were completed with local participatory mechanisms and local stakeholders consisting of MMs, MM District Municipalities, central government provincial organizations, civil society representatives, Provincial and District Citizens’ Assemblies, mukhtars, academicians and researchers and more than 100 representatives were interviewed.
Three 1-day workshops were held on 1 April 2021, 2 April 2021 and 6 April 2021.
The Current Situation Analysis Report was completed.
Guidelines on Participatory Mechanisms was developed.
Two workshops were held on 20 and 27 April 2021. Within the scope of the activity, Hatay, Tekirdağ, Malatya and Balıkesir were selected as the pilot provinces, and the first round of trainings were conducted online and the second round of trainings were conducted face-to-face with the relevant representatives in all provinces.
The first of the 2-day town hall meetings to be held in the pilot provinces was carried out in Hatay on 6-7 September 2021, the remaining meetings were held in Malatya on 8-9 September 2021, in Balıkesir on 13-14 September 2021 and in Tekirdağ on 16-17 September 2021.
Result Report on the Awareness Raising Events was developed.
Outputs
- Current Situation Analysis Report
- Guidelines on Participatory Mechanisms
- Result Report on the Awareness Raising Events
- Success and Human Stories
- Documentary Style Short Movie
- Results and Recommendations Report on the Implementation of the Participatory Mechanisms
A.2.2.3. Assess EU experiences with good practices and lessons learned for enhancing transparency and accountability in local authorities and develop recommendations to a draft secondary legislation for enhancing transparency and accountability in local authorities
Fact-finding visits were conducted with 10 institutions in August 2019.
The activity has been completed.
Workshops
The 2-day workshop on “Transparency and Accountability in Local Authorities” was held on 13-14 January 2020 with the participation of approximately 75 people from the central institutions and governmental organizations, MMs and the related NGOs. In the workshop, the preliminary findings of the “Comparative Assessment Report of Turkey and European Union Countries on Transparency and Accountability” were discussed. The following 4 working groups were formed in the workshop and the related issues were discussed accordingly. A report on the workshop results was prepared both in Turkish and English.
Working groups
- Financial Transparency – Internal and External Audit – Participation and the Role of NGOs
- Tender Legislation and Management of Municipal Immovables
- Ethical Awareness – Recruitment, Conflict of Interest and Development of Merit System in Municipalities
- Reconstruction Practices
Study Visit
The second study visit of the LAR III Project was conducted to Slovenia and Italy on 20-24 January 2020 within the framework of the activity of our Second Component “2.2.3 Improving Transparency and Accountability in Local Administrations”. 14 participants in total, including the officials from the Ministry of Interior, Directorate General for Provincial Administrations and the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, Directorate General for Local Administrations, the representatives from the Union of Municipalities of Turkey and MMs such as Ankara, Erzurum, Istanbul, Izmir, Istanbul, Malatya, Mardin, Muğla Metropolitan Municipalities at the level of Secretary General and Head of Department, as well as the Chief Technical Advisor, M. Ferhat Emil and the Key Expert on Inclusive Local Governance Processes, Gökhan Mehmet Menteş from the UNDP LAR III Project Technical Assistance Team participated in the study visit.
In the Slovenia part of the study visit, the issues such as local administration system in Slovenia and the role of citizen in decision-making processes of local authorities were addressed with the Mayor and Municipal Council Members of Ljubljana, as well as the issue of preventing corruption was discussed and good practices in this area and the related national conjuncture were analyzed in the meeting with the representatives of the Slovenia Branch of the Transparency International through an exchange of views on this matter. The delegation also visited the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption of the Republic of Slovenia and exchanged views with the officials on the legislation and practices in this field. Finally, a technical meeting was held with the relevant experts from the departments responsible for transparency and accountability of the Novo Mesto Municipality on the issues and practices related to public procurements and tender processes of local administrations in the EU system and digitalization of municipal work.
