The European Union and Council of Europe joint programme “Fostering civil society participation and capacity building in access to justice in Türkiye” aims to strengthen participatory democracy in Türkiye by enhancing the resilience of civil society organisations (CSOs) and empowering them to promote human rights, support victims to access to justice and remedies. The programme is funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and is implemented by the Council of Europe.
WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME?
The main objective of the programme is to enhance the resilience of CSOs in Türkiye and empower them to more effectively promote human rights and support victims in accessing justice in the areas of migration, the environment and women’s rights. To achieve its overall objective, the programme will focus on the following four specific objectives:
 Strengthening the capacities of CSO, bar associations, lawyers, municipalities and other professionals on human rights and access to justice in migration, environmental protection and women’s rights, in line with international and European standards.
 Improving local mechanisms and co-operation between CSO, bar associations, lawyers, municipalities and other professionals working on migration, environmental matters, and women’s access to justice.
 Raising awareness among migrants, refugees, individuals affected by environmental challenges, and women in vulnerable situations about human rights and access to justice.
 Providing legal aid services to access justice and remedies to migrants, refugees, persons under temporary protection, individuals affected by environmental challenges, and women in vulnerable situations.
WHO BENEFITS FROM THE PROGRAMME?
 Main partner: Union of Turkish Bar Associations                                                 
 Target groups: Bar associations; Civil society organisations active in the field of human rights and migration; Civil society organisations active in the field of human rights and the environment; Civil society organisations active in promoting women's rights and gender equality; Lawyers; Municipalities
 End beneficiaries: Migrants, refugees, persons under temporary protection and asylum-seekers; Persons affected by environmental issues; Women and girls in vulnerable situations, victims of domestic violence
WHAT ARE THE MAIN ACTIVITIES OF THE PROGRAMME?
The main activities include – but are not limited to:
 Development of needs assessments, guides, studies and training materials on migration, the environment and women’s rights.
 Training of trainers programmes and cascade trainings for CSOs, lawyers and local bar associations on human rights and access to justice on migration, the environment, and women’s rights.
 Training for CSOs, lawyers and bar associations on operational skills and procedures. 
 Coordination meetings between CSOs, bar associations, municipalities, and other relevant actors to strengthen joint approaches and to provide more coherent, collaborative local responses in the areas of migration, the environment, and women’s access to justice.
 Roadmap and local action plans on how to improve coordination among CSOs, bar associations, municipalities in the field of migration, the environment, and women’s access to justice.
 International conferences and study visits.
 Grants to CSOs working in the field of migration, the environment, and women’s access to justice to facilitate access to information, legal counselling, justice and effective remedies.
 A grant to UTBA to support the operation of legal aid clinics in Malatya, Şanlıurfa and Van enabling them to provide free legal aid in the areas of migration, environmental justice, women’s access to justice.
WHAT ARE THE EXPECTED RESULTS OF THE PROGRAMME?
 Improved capacities of CSOs, bar associations, lawyers and other professionals working on migration, environmental matters, and women’s access to justice to effectively apply European and international standards and to facilitate access to justice and effective remedies.
 Enhanced dialogue and coordination among CSOs, municipalities, bar associations, lawyers and other professionals working on migration, the environment, and women’s access to justice, leading to more consistent and effective responses.
 Improved access to information, legal support, effective remedies, and awareness of rights for migrants, refugees, persons under temporary protection, individuals affected by environmental challenges, and women including those in vulnerable situations through grant support to CSOs.
 Comprehensive grant scheme to legal aid clinics in Malatya, Şanlıurfa and Van, enabling them to provide free legal aid and counselling in the areas of migration, environmental justice and women’s access to justice.
PROGRAMME INFORMATION
 Duration: 36 months (22 December 2025 – 21 December 2028)
 Budget: 4 445 000 Euros
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