BTC Community Investment Programme - Turkey
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Ardahan Sustainable Rural Development Project PDF Print E-mail
Monday, 26 March 2007
  Implemented by - IBC

What is the Socio-Economic Background to Ardahan?
ibclogoThe province of Ardahan, has a total population of 128,000 and includes two provincial / district centres - Ardahan and Posof. The average size of households is just above six members. The province has experienced out-migration due to high unemployment.

Subsistence agriculture dominates, with limited crop variety (wheat and barley). In general irrigation systems are rare. Just over 20% of households have adequate water for drinking purposes.

Households are generally poor, relying on agriculture for subsistence, and underemployment is relatively high. The economy is dependent on animal husbandry and agriculture, although there has been a recent and steady growth in the service sector and increasing importance of bee keeping There is an inadequate supply of electricity, a shortage of drinking water systems and limited access to national telecommunication and irrigation networks. Roads are often closed and inaccessible during winter months. Average literacy rates for surveyed settlements are high (89%) but only 4% of the respondents had a university degree.

The main settlement problems identified by residents are high unemployment and low-income levels, poor infrastructure (particularly water and sewerage), insufficient access to health, education and public transportation services.

Source: EIA Household and Settlement Survey (2001)

What are the overall CIP Programme aims?
The overall objective of the CIP is to promote sustainable social and economic development of the people living within the 4 km corridor along the BTC Pipeline, which go beyond the simple mitigation of negative impacts caused by pipeline construction. The CIP, which intends to cover settlements and sections of the population experiencing greatest poverty, will give rural communities, support associations, co-operatives, and NGOs the skills to help themselves. The projects aim at improving social and economic capacity, income-earning and economic opportunities, improving the agricultural sector and increasing rural people’s problem-solving skills through training, and organization. A series of infrastructure improvements is also planned for schools, health facilities and water and sanitation facilities.

Who will implement the project? 

IBC (International Blue Crescent Foundation) is implementing the Project from two new offices established in Ardahan and Posof. The Project Co-ordinator is managing the Regional Office. He is responsible for all the project activities in Ardahan, as well as relations with government bodies, the community, NGOs and coordination with several institutions (such as universities, government agencies, etc).

Which groups of people will the project target?
The project is targeting women, school and pre-school children, the unemployed, craftsmen, farmers, tradesmen and the uneducated.

What geographical area will the project cover?
The Project covers Ardahan province, 4 counties (Ardahan Central, Damal, Hanak and Posof), and 37 villages: Posof (Türkgözü, Armutveren, Kumluköz, İncedere, Taşkıran, Kayınlı, Söğütlükaya, Kırdamal (Kırköy), Asmakonağı, Çakırkoç, Aşıküzeyir, Doğrular, Uğurca, Çayırçimen, Kalkankaya, Özbaşı, Aşıkzülali, Eminbey, Gönülaçan. Damal (Dereköy, Burmadere, Otağlı, Tepeköy). Hanak (Alaçam, Çimliçayır, Avcılar, Koyunpınar). Ardahan Central (Ortageçit, Balıkçılar, Kartalpınar, Tepesuyu, Küçüksütlüce, Hasköy, Çalabaş, Çobanlı, Beşiktaş, Dağcı)

What activities will the project include?
Long Term Development Programme:
  1. Agriculture and livestock: IInformation brochures; set up of laboratory and information offices in villages; meetings with villagers to understand their needs and communicate on improved agricultural techniques; organisation of co-operatives; capital fund for co-operatives; training of villagers (i.e. for the breeding of dairy cows, milk processing in dairy facility, production in feed plant); establishment of milk collection centres; establishment of silage depots; purchasing of cows and fodder plants; marketing of milk and/or dairy products,improving the livestock quality and capacity through vaccination and preventive treatment campaigns and awareness campaigns.
  2. Fruit production project: Training of agricultural engineers in Yalova and women in Posof; establishment of fruit processing Centre; maintenance of orchards and fruit trees; marketing of fruit and processed products.
  3. Empowerment / Business Training: Empowering the capacity of women, training, skill building, and income generating training of women.Establishment of a production and marketing chain for the women in Damal focused specifically on the production of folkloric Damal dolls.Training of women on carpeting and businesses.
Quick Impact Projects:

Lay out of drinking water infrastructure in 17 villages; repair of Posof State Hospital and health centres; repair and refurbishment of schools; establishment of study hall in Posof dormitory; establishment of information technology classroom in Posof High School. Rehabilitation of Posof State Hospital. Most of the quick impact projects have been completed already.
 What improvements will the project help communities to achieve?
  • project1aAn increase in employment
  • An increase in income
  • Prevention of out-migration (by young people)
  • Increase in value added to the economy, by developing other sectors and related industries
  • Stimulation of economic activity in other sectors and related industries such as transportation, computer technology, trade, investments, etc.
  • Improvements in lifestyle through the provision of infrastructure facilities
  • Better educational standards and health conditions; improved vocational skills in the community
  • More efficient utilisation of livestock products
  • Improvements in animal husbandry; cultivation of fodder crops from seed;
  • 30% increase in the marketing of milk to Milk Collection Centres by Cooperatives
  • Increased milk production
  • Utilization of 450 hectares of orchards which are currently not in production
  • Training of women living in the north of Posof to manufacture products at home; production of "organic" fruit
  • Process fruits for sale e.g. jam;
  • Provision of vocational training for people between 14-65, mainly in computer skills
  • Increase in production and marketing of Damal dolls; increase in income levels of women living in and around Damal County; Improved manufacturing processes for Damal dolls.
How will sustainability be built into the project?
In addition to BTC Co funding IBC is working on finding new funds from Turkish and international donors and NGOs.In this frame additional funds from Caritas and CRS secured.A common project about the Training of Women on carpeting and businesses is under way with UNDP. Additionally, credits and/or loans will be requested from the Agriculture Bank and the State Bank, as well as other national and international financial institutions for Cooperatives active in Ardahan Province and its Districts. A Revolving Fund will be formed and ongoing financial activities will be ensured. In summary, project sustainability will be provided through collaboration with governmental bodies, NGOs, the private sector and the local community.

IBC has established a consortium with international institutions to apply for European Union funds related to the development of the region too.

For further information:
IBC: Hande Güngör (Programme Manager) or Muzaffer Baca (Vice Chairman)
E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it --- Tel: +90 (216) 464 6881
Last Updated ( Sunday, 01 April 2007 )
 
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