International Cooperation Activities

The Institution places a great deal of importance to establishing close collaboration and strengthening relations with the Ombudsman Institutions of other countries, the Ombudsman Institution actively participate in many international activities and pay working visits to countries.

Projects

Projects implemented by the Ombudsman Institution (EU Funded Projects)

• Twinning and Technical Assistance Project on Support to the establishment of Ombudsman Institution in Türkiye

The Twinning Project was implemented in 2014-2016 in partnership with the Ombudsman Offices of France and Spain while the Technical Assistance Project was implemented in 2016-2017 in order to support the establishment of the Ombudsman Institution in Türkiye.

• Twinning Light Project on the Empowerment of the Ombudsman in the promotion and protection of human rights

As the Beneficiary, the Ombudsman Institution had initiated “Empowerment of the Role of Ombudsman Institution in the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights Project” which includes Twinning Light and Technical Assistance Components under the scope of IPA fund. The project activities of the twinning light component in cooperation with Portuguese Ombudsman had started with the kick-off meeting held on 12 November 2018 and completed on 29 June 2019.

• Technical Assistance for Empowerment of the Role of Ombudsman in the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights

The Project is implemented by the Ombudsman Institution and funded by the European Union. The Project started in March 2019 and will last 36 months. Overall objective of the Project is to achieve measurable progress towards the full enjoyment of all fundamental rights and freedoms by all individuals without discrimination in all areas. The Purpose of the Project is to increase the effectiveness of the Ombudsman Institution in the protection and promotion of human rights. The Component 1 of the Project has been determined as “Improving the knowledge of the staff of the Ombudsman Institution of Türkiye while the Component 2 has been “Awareness Raising”.

• A Working Plan in Progress with the UNICEF

In the fields of children’s rights, the Ombudsman Institution cooperates with the UNICEF and implements a working plan. Within this working plan, our Institution in partnership with UNICEF carries out relevant activities and coordination. A working plan for 2020 was signed between our Institution and the UNICEF within the national priority of “10^th National Development Plan Target 2.1.8 and National Child Rights Strategy and Action Plan. The implementation of this plan is in progress.

• Project for Strengthening the Institutional Capacity of Ombudsman Institution

This project was implemented with the partnership of UNDP and financed by SIDA (The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency). Its aim was to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Ombudsman Institution of Türkiye. It was run between March 2015-December 2017. Within this Project, many activities were carried out such as workshops, trainings on human rights, international conferences, regional meetings, press meetings, interviews as well as a working visit to the Austrian Ombudsman Office.

Other Projects

• Project on Improving the Effectiveness of the Administrative Judiciary and Strengthening the Institutional Capacity of the Council of State

Implemented by the Council of Europe, “Project on Improving the Effectiveness of the Administrative Judiciary and Strengthening the Institutional Capacity of the Council of State” aims at fostering public confidence in the administrative judiciary by further strengthening its independence, impartiality and effectiveness, and increasing public awareness. The Ombudsman Institution is one of the target groups and final beneficiaries of the Project. The Ombudsman Institution attends the Steering committee meetings and activities of the Project. Within the Project, in the first half of the year 2020, the officials from the Council of Europe paid visits to the Ombudsman Institution.