DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE

WHAT IS DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE? Governance is a concept that involves the interactions among structures, processes and traditions that determine how power is exercised, how decisions are taken, and how citizens or other stakeholders have their say. It comprises the mechanisms, processes and institutions through which people articulate their interests, mediate their differences and exercise their rights and obligation. HOW CAN UNDP SUPPORT IT? UNDP brings people together within nations and around the world, building partnerships and sharing ways to promote participation, accountability and effectiveness at all levels. We help countries strengthen their electoral and legislative systems, improve access to justice and public administration, and develop a greater capacity to deliver basic services to those most in need. Thematic Trust Fund For Innovative Governance Interventions: UNDP relies on a new instrument -- Thematic Trust Funds -- to help achieve development goals. In Turkey, the Thematic Trust Fund has been an invaluable resource for the Country Office to support Government and non-governmental partners pioneer new initiatives in democratic governance. In 2004 and 2005 the Thematic Trust Fund has supported the country office's work in Fiscal Decentralization, and Preparatory Assistance for Civilian Oversight of the Security Sector and starting in 2006 Women in Politics. The Democratic Governance Trust Fund (DGTTF) has created a window of opportunity for the UNDP and its partners to explore new areas of programmatic intervention and partnerships that allow for scaling up of such initiatives. For example, the main output of our work in fiscal decentralization, is a policy guidance note on how to manage intergovernmental revenue sharing for poverty reduction purposes (click here to access the publication in Turkish only). This policy guidance note is now a key resource for the Government's Local Administration Reform programming, also managed by UNDP under a European Commission agreement. UNDP support to the Ministry of Interior through 2005 in promoting the security sector reform debate has led into this Ministry's further work with several donors and the European Commission in Security Sector Reform programming. Since its creation, DGTTF's principal donors have been Norway, the Netherlands, Germany and Italy, together with Finland, Portugal, Austria, Luxembourg, New Zealand and the Norwegian company Statoil. WHAT IS HAPPENING IN TURKEY? In Turkey, the system of governance has traditionally been highly centralized. In recent years, however, changes have taken place as a result of structural reforms necessitated by past economic crises and through changing priorities relating to Turkey's development and reform agenda that are in-line with its EU aspirations. As part of its ambitious development agenda, Turkey is focusing on implementing reforms related to decentralization, public administration reform, and anti-corruption. There is increasing attention on the issue of women's empowerment and participation in the political process at local and central levels. The government is also prioritizing in 2005 greater use of information communication and technology as a means to increase transparency, efficiency, and participation in decision-making processes especially for traditionally excluded populations such as women and youth. While these reforms and initiatives are moving forward, there remain additional challenges in building capacities of public administration officials at the central and local levels, and in addressing remaining rights-based issues including internal displacement.  DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE ONGOING PROJECTS Automation MFA - Enhancing Efficiency in the Foreign Ministry LA-21 - Strengthening local government CEDAW - Women's Integration in Development Civilian Oversight of the Security Sector Empowerment of Youth for Improved e-Governance in Turkey Youth Increases the Quality of Life in their Cities Support to the Development of an IDP Programme in Turkey Support to Local Administration Reform Programme in Turkey For details of recently completed programmes in Turkey, click here.