9.2 Administration and governance
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Governance
A general policy framework regarding the international engagement, initiatives, and participation of youth is presented within the scope of the "Youth in the International Arena" policy area under the National Youth and Sports Policy Document. The Ministry of Youth and Sports encourages young people to become part of international youth work through projects involving international participation, mobility initiatives that foster international interaction and cooperation, and other international engagement opportunities. In addition to directly implementing projects that promote international participation, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has supported non-governmental organizations (NGOs) through the Youth Projects Support Program. This initiative aimed to introduce young people to various international youth work channels or facilitate their collaboration with other NGOs worldwide. Although this program is no longer in effect, starting in 2024, a project call for NGOs has been announced under the "Empowerment Program for Youth Affected by Disasters" which mandates implementation in the Earthquake Region in 2025. Furthermore, within the scope of the General Directorate of Education, Research, and Coordination (EAK GM), the "Psychosocial Support and Disaster Resilience Project for Youth" has transitioned from its pilot phase to a three-year main implementation period.
Actors of Public Diplomacy in Türkiye:
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Directorate of Communications: The Presidency of Republic of Türkiye Directorate of Communications is responsible for effectively promoting Türkiye's policies and approaches through a comprehensive communication strategy, fostering positive perceptions at the national and international levels, and strengthening Türkiye's brand through public diplomacy activities.
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs serves as the principal governmental body for all matters related to foreign policy and international relations.
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Ministry of Youth and Sports: Following the transition to the new government system, the General Directorate of International Organizations and Foreign Relations was established within the Ministry of Youth and Sports by Presidential Decree No. 1, dated 10/07/2018. This new directorate contributes to aligning national youth policy with EU and Council of Europe standards.
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Turkish National Agency: The Turkish National Agency provides robust support to the education, youth, and sports sectors to achieve Türkiye's vision of "qualified human resources, strong society" through the effective management of Erasmus+ and ESC Programmes. The agency aims to improve education quality, enhance young people's key competences and skills relevant to the labor market, and increase their participation in democratic life through mobility opportunities funded by Erasmus+ and ESC projects.
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Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB): YTB conducts initiatives related to Turkish citizens living abroad, kin communities, and international students pursuing higher education in Türkiye. Its activities particularly support the educational development of Turkish youth abroad, provide guidance to families, improve language skills, and encourage academic and professional growth.
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Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA)
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Presidency of Religious Affairs (DİB)
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Yunus Emre Institute (YEE)
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Türkiye Maarif Foundation
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Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT)
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Anadolu Agency (AA)
Cross-sectorial cooperation
One of the key examples of cooperation between public authorities and NGOs in the context of international youth participation and collaboration is the partnership between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Since 2017, the OIC Youth Day has been celebrated annually on September 3rd in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), the youth affiliate of the OIC. The event in 2023 featured discussions on topics such as volunteerism, challenges faced by youth in Muslim countries, proposed solutions, and combating discrimination and extremism.
A cooperation protocol has been signed between Turkish Airlines and the Turkish National Agency to provide participants with additional discounts and benefits on their flights within the scope of Erasmus+ and ESC projects.
The Turkish National Agency holds meetings at least twice a year with the Monitoring and Steering Committee, comprising representatives from the Directorate for EU Affairs, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of National Education, Council of Higher Education, Vocational Qualifications Authority of Türkiye, Turkish Employment Agency, and the Presidency of Strategy and Budget. These meetings focus on assessing the impact of Erasmus+ and ESC programmes on youth, youth workers, NGOs, and sports organizations. They aim to enhance awareness of synergies between Erasmus+ and potential national funding sources while gathering feedback and success stories. These meetings play a crucial role in reinforcing the cross-sectoral dimension of Erasmus+ and ESC programmes.
Additionally, promotional broadcasts on Erasmus+ programmes and Youth Centers are aired on TRT channels, particularly TRT Okul.