The overall objective of the project is to reduce urban disparities through enhanced economic, social and cultural opportunities for citizens.
The project will address economic and social integration problems arising in four pilot urban areas that have seen large inward migration in recent years, and whose infrastructure is under stress as a result. It responds to one of the Accession Partnership political criteria priorities to “improve the situation in the south-east, with a view to enhancing economic, social and cultural opportunities for all citizens”.
The project will provide support to İstanbul, Ankara, İzmir and Bursa municipalities to increase institutional capacity to mitigate socio economic integration and environmental related problems derived from migration, and to rehabilitate and reintegrate street children in targeted districts.
The first project component will assist municipalities to improve their planning and project development capacity. This will concentrate on larger-scale problems such as infrastructure and housing. Contacts with IFIs to examine funding possibilities will be facilitated.
The second project component will support local initiatives in areas such as vocational training, community health, and social exclusion, focusing on vulnerable social groups (street children, youths, the unemployed, women). The involvement of a variety of local stakeholders such as NGOs, neighbourhood associations, social health and educational services, will be sought.
The project will be implemented through service, works and supply contracts.