Turkey is currently hosting 3.6 million registered Syrian refugees, which accounts for nearly two thirds of all refugees registered in the region. Over 90% of these refugees live in local communities. As a result, the local government units (LGUs) which provide services such as health, education and social services are facing significant challenges in meeting the increasing demands of the population.
Qudra’s work with refugees and Turkish host communities focuses mainly on strengthening the capacities of local governmental institutions to deliver their services in a transparent and inclusive manner through;
1.Providing a grant scheme for participatory and inclusive community support projects
Qudra 2 will provide small grants to at least 10 Turkish municipalities which host the largest number of refugees, who in some cases, account for over 25% of the population. At least 100,00 individuals will directly benefit from improvements in basic services and infrastructure, which will contribute to enhanced living conditions and social cohesion amongst approximately five million community members. Inclusion as a guiding principle will ensure that refugees and host community representatives will be involved throughout the assessment, planning and implementation of these projects.
2. Strengthening exchange amongst and between local governmental units (LGUs) and other stakeholders
The programme will support exchange between local government units to foster peer to peer learning. Exchange with community members will ensure their inclusion in the planning and implementation of support projects. Best practices will be identified and shared between LGUs, civil society actors and academia. This exchange of experiences and innovations for improved service delivery will be shared at the provincial, national, cross-regional and international level.
3. Strengthening the capacities of governmental organisations
Qudra 2 will provide tailored technical support to selected municipalities such as trainings in needs assessment, strategic and goal-oriented planning, the implementation of investment and the provision of services which will enhance the capacities of at least 250 local government officials and other community stakeholders.
4. Fostering dialogue for social cohesion exchange and innovation
A growing challenge in the mainly urban context of refugees is rising social tension, which weakens social cohesion and reduces the resilience of communities in the face of crisis. Qudra 2 will directly address this challenge by facilitating dialogue and providing safe spaces where open exchange between groups of stakeholders and participants will promote community cohesion.
Qudra will give special attention throughout the programme to children, youth, women and other highly vulnerable population groups, such as elderly and the disabled.