Implemented by Atatürk University

What is the Socio-Economic Background to Erzurum? 
Erzurum has a total population of 873,000. The average surveyed household size is high (seven members). The population in urban areas is relatively stable, whereas rural areas have experienced considerable out-migration.

Average literacy rates are high (88%), but only 2% of the respondents had a university degree. In general, as with the more northern provinces, there are fewer children per teacher and school, indicative of out-migration levels. Female illiteracy is significantly high at 31% for the entire province.

Unemployment is regarded as the main settlement problem for 43% of households surveyed. The poor quality of infrastructure and services were also raised as a problem in the province.

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? 
Atatürk University is implementing the project activities through Project Co-ordination Unit (PCU), in close liaison with all stakeholders. PCU will be responsible for the implementation and overall management of the project. However, some activities and small-scale quick impact projects may be implemented with or subcontracted to the other partners, organisations and NGOs if this is more effective.

Which groups of people will the project target? 
The project will target women, children, the unemployed, craftsmen, farmers, and the uneducated.

What geographical area will the project cover? 
The project covers 64 villages in 6 districts (Aşkale, Ilıca, Erzurum central, Pasinler, Köprüköy and Horasan) in Erzurum.

What activities will the project include? 

• Training on animal diseases
• Protective inoculation for animal diseases
• Lactation synchronisation and artificial insemination support
• Training & demonstrations on trout farming
• Training & demonstrations on bee culture
• Expansion of fodder crops through seed production & new forage cultivars
• Soil & water analysis and natural resource investigation
• Training & demonstrations on pasture -meadow improvement &management · Training and organisation on organic agriculture and eco-tourism
• Solar heating in selected villages
• Capacity development through training for village administration
• Establishment of associations & cooperatives&Village development and project councils
• Training & support to 11 local organizations present
• Entrepreneur support in settlements
• Open secondary and high school programs for girls
• Training on health & sanitation for women
• Establishment of Women Development and Project Councils in improvement of living environment through quick impact projects (17 sewage system repairs, 11 drinking water system repairs, 10 animal drinking water systems and 8 School and public utility repairs)

 
What improvements will the project help communities to achieve? 

• Training of farmers will improve yields and productivity by 40%.
• Farmers will earn more income, have a better quality of life, and be more aware of environment and development issues
• They will improve their current practices and adopt new practices in agriculture, aquaculture, organic agriculture, eco-tourism and entrepreneurship
• They will acquire new and improved agricultural production techniques
• They will be more organised, and will have better access to social services
• They will be able to pool their resources and form associations/co-operatives
• Women and girls will have better access to education, training and social services
• Awareness will be raised among society on gender equality.
• The target population will be aware of the potential for organic agriculture and eco-tourism in the area
• There will be access to improved buildings, sewage systems, drinking water, and renewable energy in selected settlements
• The target population’s quality of life will improve
• Training in animal husbandry and bee keeping will increase productivity.

How will sustainability be built into the project? 
Project funds (BTC and Atatürk University contribution and third party funds) will be enhanced through timely and active contribution in kind and in cash of Social Assistance and Solidarity Funds run by District Governors, Municipalities, Associations of Village Service Procurement, and local NGOs. These local organisations will work with Ataturk University to ensure that the projects benefits continue when the BTC funding period has ended.

For further information: 
Atatürk University: Prof Dr Faik Kantar (Programme Coordinator) or Prof Dr M. Kaya (Dean of Faculty)
E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it --- Tel: +90 (442) 231 0000