Ministry for EU Affairs Inaugurates the opening of its Izmir Office, and discusses Türkiye’s New European Union Strategy with Non-Governmental Organizations

On 19 February 2015, Ministry for EU Affairs will inaugurate the opening of its İzmir Office, the third one following the opening of the İstanbul and Antalya Offices, with the participation of Volkan Bozkır, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator.

On 19 February 2015, Ministry for EU Affairs will also hold a meeting on “Türkiye’s New EU Strategy” at Yunus Emre Hall of Ege University’s Atatürk Cultural Centre in İzmir, with the participation of NGOs, local administrations, and representatives from business world and academia.

Representatives of the NGOs that have contributed significantly to Türkiye’s transformation in the EU accession process will have the opportunity to directly express their opinions and suggestions to Minister Bozkır in the meeting.

With the participation of more than 2,000 representatives from nearly 400 non-governmental organizations, the Ministry for EU Affairs held its first “Dialogue with NGOs Meeting” on 26 November 2014 in İstanbul with the understanding of “a stronger civil society and stronger Türkiye”.

After expressing his thoughts on Türkiye’s New EU Communication Strategy and negotiation process, Minister Bozkır will exchange views with the participants in a friendly atmosphere in the meeting.

Moreover, regarding the funding of the projects to be carried out within the frame of Türkiye’s New EU Communication Strategy, there will be presentations on financial assistance to be provided to NGOs in the scope of Erasmus+ Programme and EU Pre-Accession Assistance.

The programme of the meeting is as follows:

Ministry for EU Affairs

Türkiye’s New EU Strategy

Programme of Civil Society Dialogue Meeting

19 February 2015, Thursday

 Ege University Konak / Izmir

13.00 - 14.00                        Registration

14.00 - 14.10                        Opening

14.10 -14.30                         Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Ambassador Volkan Bozkır’s speech

14.30 - 18.00                        Questions/Answers                  

16.30- 18.00                         Informative Sessions

1. 1.     Informative Session on “European Union Funds and NGOs” (Theatre Hall)

Within the framework of EU Pre-Accession Financial Assistance, Türkiye will receive nearly 4.5 billion Euros in the term 2014-2020. 180 million Euros of the fund will be allocated to the strengthening of civil society, civil society dialogue and also developing public-civil society dialogue. 11 million Euros have been allocated to the strengthening of the civil society dialogue for 2015. In the programme, participants will be informed on opportunities, funds, and grants, including HORIZON 2020 for NGOs, universities, the private sector and local institutions.

1. 2.         Informative Session on “Erasmus+ Programme“ (Adnan Saygun Hall)

With the aim of connecting Turkish people of all ages with EU citizens under training and youth projects, Türkiye’s National Agency provided grants amounting more than 600 million Euros to 24 thousand projects in 2004-2013; and more than 300 thousand people in 81 provinces of Türkiye had the opportunity to participate in study abroad and cooperation activities.

Türkiye’s National Agency will inform about the newly named Erasmus+ Programme, which will allocate nearly 900 million Euros to Türkiye, and provide opportunities to study, train and volunteer in Europe in the term 2014-2020. 

P.S.: Authorized institutions for the EU Financial Cooperation will have booths to provide direct information on various programmes.