Civil Society and Philanthropy in Turkey 29 July 2008 Turkish Cultural Foundation Istanbul

1. Civil Society and Philanthropy in Turkey 29 July 2008 Turkish Cultural Foundation Istanbul

2. Contents • About TÜSEV • About the Studies • Findings

3. About TÜSEV • Established in 1993, founded by 23 of Turkey’s leading NGOs • 120 members with collective assets over €3bn (US$4.7bn) • Members working in areas of education, health, arts, culture and social assistance • Programme areas: Law Reform, Social Investment, Research, International Relations • EFC Governing Council member and member of EFC since 1994 • Also member of the WINGS network, CIVICUS and ISTR • For more information: www.tusev.org.tr

4. About the Studies Civil Society Index (CSI) Project • Has been designed by CIVICUS. • Implemented in 60 countries around the world. • The first internationally comparative research on Turkish civil society covering a wide range of the sector. Philanthropy in Turkey Project • a compedium of four comprehensive studies on: • the history of foundations in the Ottoman Era, • foundation operations and challenges in modern Turkey, • individual giving and philanthropy.

5. About the Studies: Research Methodology Media Analysis 3 National Papers 4 Regional Papers 2 TV News Channels Content and Freq. analysis daily for 2 months Survey and Focus Groups 155 individuals from civil society CSI Country Report and Philanthropy in Turkey Report Philanthropy in Turkey Survey Outcomes 1500 individuals + 44 foundations Secondary Data (Overview Report) Qualitative analysis of New Foundations 33 foundations CSR Analysis Quantitative analysis of New Foundations 222 Foundations Case Study: CSO Impact on Human Rights Policy Case Study: CSO Impact on National Budget Policy Case Study: CSO Impact on Social Policy

6. Findings: Context • Foundations in the Ottoman Era as early forms of civil society. • Associations in the New Republic • 1960s-1980s- Turbulent times politically and socially, causing great restrictions on civic engagement, but emergence of “new” foundations • 1996 Habitat Conference- generated civic action • 1999 Earthquakes- generated civic response and awareness • 2001 EU Candidate for Accession and Copenhagen Criteria- generated political will and momentum for democratic reforms greatly affecting civil society • Present- Still some challenges in the environment, better laws, more dialogue, increasing visibility and partnerships

7. Structure of Civil Society in Turkey • One of the main limitations is its limited depth and breadth: • There are only 108 associations and 6 foundations (two main legal forms of CSOs) per 100.000 citizens in Turkey. • Participation in existing organizations is also low: • 18% make donations totalling only about 0.1% of GDP; • 7.8% are members, • 1.5% are volunteers.

8. Environment of Civil Society in Turkey • Turkey’s democratic reform trajectory (which began in 2001) has ostensibly created a more enabling environment for civil society, and warmed state-civil society relations. • However, studies indicate that in practice, CSOs remain hindered by cumbersome administrative procedures and government official interference- especially for rights-based CSOs. • Private sector – civil society relations are also improving.

9. Values of Civil Society in Turkey • Democracy, transparency, tolerance, nonviolance, gender equity, poverty eradication, environmental sustainability. • Practices of democracy and gender equity within CSOs are weak. • Promotion of values regarding environmental sustainability are most prominent, whereas poverty alleviation, promotion of democracy and tolerance are less so.

10. Impact of Civil Civil Society in Turkey • CSOs are increasingly seeking to be active in policy reform activities. • However, impact remains limited. One of the weakest aspects is lack of CSO activity to hold state and private sector accountable.