We expanded both digital and face-to-face learning opportunities
Through the STOK Digital Learning Platform, which we set out with the motto “If we want change, we need to be stronger”, we reached 5,000 users throughout the project . We offered a wide range of educational content from civil society history to advocacy, from planning to organizing basics. By taking advantage of the timeless and spaceless learning opportunities offered by STOK, users strengthened both their individual and organizational capacities.
"The STOK digital learning platform is very effective in laying the foundation for those who cannot access out-of-town trainings. The video content and resource guidance is excellent."
"I recommend the Digital Learning Platform to all civil society workers. It is a platform that can be used again and again without time constraints."
“It explains the subject matter by linking it to the current, through examples from the world and Turkey.”
We did not stop at digital. We also conducted STOK trainings face-to-face. We brought together representatives of CSOs working in different thematic areas in trainings we organized in Ankara. STOK training modules given by trainers who are experts in their fields did not only convey information; they also offered a learning space that reinforced experience sharing, cooperation and rights-based working practices. 404 CSO representatives completed the face-to-face training program. With digital and face-to-face trainings complementing each other, STOK has turned into a powerful learning model for civil society.
“After watching the trainings on the online platform before attending the STOK trainings and listening to them face-to-face, the concepts were even more solidified.”
“The online trainings had a very positive impact in terms of gaining knowledge and the face-to-face trainings had a very positive impact in terms of giving momentum to our organization.”
Guidance, counseling and frequently asked questions: Information Center
With the STGM Information Center, we provided guidance and consultancy by offering suggestions and answering questions to help CSOs find solutions to their daily problems in a wide range of areas from legislation on civil society to resource development, from project management to communication issues, from cooperation with volunteers to management of EU grant projects. We answered a total of 160 frequently asked questions.
Those who benefited from the Information Center said;
"Reporting in European Union projects is very important. With the support we received from the Information Center, we had no problems with our reports. With its guidance and support, we had an incredibly good reporting period. On the other hand, not only reporting but also the capacity of our staff was strengthened."
"If we need to get an idea, if we need to request guidance, we contact the Information Center directly. With the guidance of the Information Center, we started to get in touch with some associations related to our subject. When we are in trouble, we immediately think of STGM."
The ROTA Organizational Capacity Self-Assessment Tool, which we developed within the scope of the project, enabled civil society organizations to assess themselves in key areas such as governance, participation, resource development and communication. By enabling organizations to see their strengths and areas open to improvement, ROTA provided a road map to strengthen their institutional structures through “prescriptions” and supported civil society organizations to enter a learning-oriented development process.
"We did not have a tool for self-assessment. First we used the ROTA, and then we created our own self-assessment tool by adding questions other than those in the ROTA for continuous active use in the organization. By the way, the ROTA is a great tool, your prescriptions are really helpful. We think there are some questions that need to be added."
Solutions specific to CSOs: Organizational Coaching
Through the Organizational Coaching Program, we provided mentoring support designed to meet the unique needs of civil society organizations. During the program, we brought together civil society organizations with experts from the fields they identified and developed tailored solutions for their needs. With coaching focusing on issues such as governance, resource development and communication strategies, we helped organizations build more sustainable structures by increasing their institutional capacity.
"I can say that the coaching support improved the organization and made it more institutionalized. the fact that it was needs-oriented was productive for our organization."
"It was very valuable to have a unique coaching for our organization. In other words, there was no general approach like 'this is the right way to do this, it would be better if you do this'. Instead, it was based on the dynamics and values of our organization, what we are doing well, and how we can make improvements in which areas."
“I think the communication strategy equalized us a little bit in terms of communication experience. We were aware that this was also missing. We write a lot of projects, we run a lot of projects, but we were aware that the communication side of it was missing. We closed this gap with coaching.”
An alternative space to talk beyond once upon a time: Stories of Power
With Power Stories Meetings, we enabled civil society actors to tell their own experiences first-hand. After making an open call, we identified 18 narrators from civil society actors who met the criteria we set. We offered the narrators a process-oriented preparation opportunity to tell their own stories in a stronger language and organized storytelling workshops in this context. At the end of these workshops, which we aimed to contribute to the 18 narrators to tell their own stories more powerfully and effectively with the techniques of oral narrative art, the narrators brought their own stories to the audience on stage. We listened to 18 stories in 6 different provinces under the title Power Stories. A narrator's comment summarizes the impact of Power Stories:
"Power Stories made me feel empowered to express myself. I now look at my story in a more positive way and take encouragement from other stories."
"After the event, some people said that what I said was inspiring. One of my friends, an Iranian immigrant, told me that she now wants to tell her story about the women's movement in Iran, which was the most important gift for me."
Tailor-made solutions: “Tailor-Made” On Demand Training Program
Within the scope of the Tailored Caftan Program, we organized online trainings specially designed for organizations. With this program, CSOs had the opportunity to participate in trainings designed entirely for them, based on their own needs.
"As an organization, while you are only a participant in STOK, you become a stakeholder in Biçilmiş Kaftan: you determine the method, you determine your own needs. Civil Society does not have a hospital. There is no place where it can get instant support. The Tailored Caftan is like a hospital. It comes immediately and designs that help in the way you want and it is done. Just like a surgical intervention, you can focus on only one issue. There is no other organization that does that. There is no such thing as just expert support."
We strengthened our joint work with the Localization Advocacy Group
The Localization Advocacy Group, an independent and local initiative that promotes the improvement of civil society work through decentralization, worked in coordination with the Turkish Local CSO Humanitarian Forum (TIF ) and the National Reference Group (URG ).
These structures have made significant progress with reports, policy recommendations and advocacy work that strengthen the decentralization agenda. Based on the Grand Bargain 2.0 framework, these structures have prepared reports, strategy documents and policy recommendations for the empowerment of local and national CSOs.
"STGM's support for LAG is very valuable. We were pessimistic, things were not working. We did not have a commonality in terms of goals and objectives. With the support of STGM, the definition of localization became more concrete and the goals and objectives of LAG were revealed."
We Met for Solidarity and Change
We came together with civil society organizations, local governments and public actors at the “Talking about the Power of Change” and “Tea Time Meetings” events we organized in different provinces. Together, we discussed ways to combat crises, solidarity and manage change.
We organized the Strong Civil Society Meetings in 31 cities across Turkey to discuss the problems faced by civil society organizations and develop solutions. We brought together more than 800 civil society organizations and participants gave feedback on the financial and operational problems of their organizations.
We organized 3 festivals during the Civil Society Capacity Strengthening Center Project (2022, 2023 and 2024). At the Civil Voices Festivals, we brought together civil society organizations from all over Turkey, saying that our voices are one of our most basic instruments to show that our differences are richness and that these differences can live together.
In the festival organized in Ankara in 2022, more than 600 civil society representatives from 58 cities in Turkey came together with the slogan “If we want change, then we must be strong”. An important space was provided for civil society to share their experiences and develop new collaborations.
In 2023, following the February earthquakes, we organized a festival in Izmir Kültürpark with the theme “Solidarity Strengthens”, where more than 200 civil society organizations came together to share their experiences in combating the crisis and to increase solidarity. In various workshops and panels, post-earthquake activities were evaluated.
In the festival we organized in Ankara in 2024, 217 civil society organizations from 52 cities and more than a thousand participants came together. In the festival, which we organized with the theme of Strong Civil Society, the voices of civil society echoed with various activities from workshops to panels, from stands to performances. At 130 stands, organizations introduced their work; more than 30 workshops addressed issues such as animal rights, accessibility, and solidarity.
"You meet civil society organizations from across Turkey. There are those you know from STGM's trainings, there are those you come together with, there are those who open stands. That togetherness, that energy, that synergy is really something else. We are aware of each other and these festivals brought us together."
"The festival turned into a space of freedom for everyone working in civil society. With its inclusiveness, it showed once again how unifying the values of civil society are.”
“I like the fact that it is face-to-face, protects diversity and pays attention to the values of inclusion/intersectionality.”
Traces left behind by KGM
The meetings, trainings and events we organized throughout the Civil Society Capacity Strengthening Center Project supported civil society actors to become stronger, develop their networks and build solidarity. Participants' feedback formed the cornerstones of the project's success story.
"STGM was like a guide in the journey of civil society. He was with us in every problem and did his best to strengthen our capacity."
STGM's Capacity Strengthening Efforts Will Continue
As the Civil Society Capacity Strengthening Center Project comes to an end, we will continue our work to address the needs of civil society and continue our journey to strengthen civil society.
You can follow our website and social media channels to be informed about our new projects and activities .
