We are implementing the BIRLIKTE (TOGETHER) Support Program, which we designed with our long-standing experience and knowledge to strengthen civil society in Turkey, as a comprehensive support program that includes both institutional grants and mentoring components for institutional development for civil society organizations conducting rights-based work.
In our second implementation period, we are working with 25 CSOs on different topics from refugee rights to environmental rights, from LGBTI+ rights to disabled rights, from children's rights to cultural rights. One of these organizations is the CCivic Space Studies Association (CSSA), founded in 2018 by a group of young rights advocates.
We wanted to introduce you to the Civic Space Studies Association, which works in the field of youth, closely follows and reports on the pressures especially in universities, and carries out advocacy activities for freedom of expression on campuses.
For what purpose was the Civic Space Studies Association (CSSA) founded? What was your motivation for getting involved in the civic space?
We are an independent human rights organization whose main purpose is to protect and expand the civic space. Our goals include conducting research to protect fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, assembly and organization, developing policy recommendations and contributing to the strengthening of civil society.
At this point, as the Civic Space Studies Association, we aim to combat all kinds of discrimination such as race, language, religion, color, gender, age, sexual identity, sexual orientation, physical diversity and disability. Women, LGBTIQ+ and young people are especially the focus of our work. We care about and prioritize reflecting this pluralism and diversity not only in our target audience and our work but also within ourselves and our board of directors.
Who are your studies aimed at? Which area are you focussing on?
Our target audience is the youth, especially the student youth. While the university campus is a place where free thinking develops and social change thrives, we see that students, as individuals who shape the future of society, have been increasingly restricted, penalised and silenced by various pressures in recent years. As CSSA, we place great importance on the protection of civic space on campus and the defence of student rights. In our fight against various forms of discrimination, women and LGBTIQ+ people are our priority groups.
We would like to address the title of freedom of expression, assembly and association. What kind of work do you do for these titles?
Our priorities include developing projects in defence of freedom of expression, assembly and association, supporting student clubs and associations that work on this issue, promoting access to public spaces and artistic and cultural production.
To protect these freedoms on university campuses, we use methods such as data collection, mapping, field research, surveys and reporting. We also organise seminars, workshops, conferences and discussion panels, run campaigns and offer legal advice. Defending the rights of student communities to organise and become a centre where they can seek advice is also an important part of our work.
Developing projects to defend freedom of expression, assembly and organisation, as well as promoting access to public space and artistic and cultural production, are among our priorities. In this context, we use research methods such as data collection, mapping, field research, surveys and reports. We also organise seminars, workshops, conferences and panel discussions, run campaigns and try to use all kinds of advocacy tools.
What kind of feedback do you get from the students?
We get very positive feedback from the students. It's important for them to be able to make their voices heard and defend their rights. At the moment it is so difficult for them to get even the most basic information and support... Our only goal is to make sure that they do not feel alone, especially in defending their rights to freedom of expression, assembly and organisation. Although there is a lot of feedback suggesting that this goal has been more or less achieved, this feedback is a great source of motivation for us.
We have been talking about the shrinking of civic space for a long time. How do you observe this in practise?
The shrinking of civic space is restricting the free work of civil society organisations. This situation not only has a negative impact on freedom of expression and organisation on the ground, but also weakens the ability of civil society organisations to raise funds, campaign and advocate for their interests, and confronts us with various problems and risks. We are committed to ensuring that our work continues unabated in the face of these challenges and that civil society's resilience is strengthened.
We plan to carry out further research and advocacy activities to protect and expand civic space. We also want to develop new projects to strengthen cooperation between civil society organisations and reach a wider audience. Our aim is to ensure that civil society in Turkey is stronger, more independent and more effective.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We believe in the power of civil society. We believe that civil society organisations play a crucial role in the change and development of society. That's why it's so important to work together and show solidarity to protect and expand civic space. Together we can create a stronger civil society.