Tusenet – thematic local partnerships and strengthening of the Turkish Union of Municipalities (UMT)
The Swedish aid agency Sida is financing this innovative project, which involves the Swedish and Turkish associations of local authorities, five Swedish and 23 Turkish municipalities.
The aims are to strengthen the municipal sector through a focus on good governance, citizens’ participation, safe-guarding of municipal interests and efficient municipal service delivery. Cross-cutting issues as gender equality, transparency and sustainability are also covered. Given the Turkish process of EU-approximation, special efforts are made to prepare both municipalities and the Union of Municipalities of Turkey (UMT) for EU accession.
The methodology of thematic local partnerships implies a fusion between Swedish municipal experiences and the reality of Turkish municipalities. The process aims at capacity building and the development of municipal practices, but is also meant to lead to “products” that can be useful for other municipalities through the take-up by UMT and the further dissemination of these products.
Examples of themes treated by the partnerships are:
- Strategic Solid Waste Management Planning
- Rescue Services and Risk Management
- Urban Planning
- Human Resource Management
- Participatory Budgeting
- Sustainable Tourism
- Local Arena Building including Triple Helix Cooperation (municipalities, private sector and academies)
- Municipal Energy Planning
The partnership between the two associations, SALAR and UMT, includes an Organizational Development Review of UMT, exchange of experiences in advocacy and lobbying, preparations for EU accession etc.
The project started in 2006 and will run through 2010. There are plans for a second phase that would give more emphasis to the development of UMT in line with the union’s strategic planning. The partnership themes would then be even more in accordance with UMT priorities and include participation from experts from both SALAR and UMT.