This process went in parallel with the kick off meetings for the pilot consultations, which have been carried out in the selected provinces, namely Çorum, Mersin, Bursa and Mardin and on two  draft pieces of legislation, namely draft law on Data Collection, and draft law on the Fruit and Vegetable Trade. Arranged as two-day-practice, these kick off meetings enabled the meetings with various local stakeholders including the public officials, municipalities, mukhtars, civil society organizations and interested citizens. Participants were briefed on the Project, notion and scope of the consultation and expected benefits of the consultations in legislation making. In addition, mechanisms through which the stakeholders in the provinces can contribute, were also introduced to the participants. Following the presentation of both draft legislation by the representatives of respective ministries, the floor was opened for debate to take the opinions of the participants about the draft laws. Consultation process commenced by these kick offs will be completed by late January.

The experience is highly exciting for both UNDP and the project partners. It is observed that the local stakeholders are highly enthusiastic and owned the idea of civic engagment in legislation making. As a very first step of the process, this is important and encouraging as civic engagement can be possible and sustainable when the organized and unorganized civil society has the ownership, regardless of the enabling environment.