Mediterranean Region (Adana, Osmaniye, Kahramanmaraş)

The overall objective of the BTC Co Turkey Community Investment Programme is to promote sustainable social and economic development of the settlements along the BTC pipeline route.
This project aims to assist affected communities in Kahramanmaraş, Adana and Osmaniye Provinces to develop diversified livelihoods through a long-term sustainable development programme of social and economic development.

The Programme focuses on 68 villages within the 4km boundary of the pipeline route with priority going to the poorer villages. A participative approach to development is the main characteristic of our proposals.

We aim to create sustainable projects and solutions to problems identified by local people. Consequently we propose a CIP which combines community and institutional capacity development with basic infrastructure improvement (mainly quick impact projects), as well as Credit Funds which have sustainable repayment schemes, and permanent training facilities to develop the skills of local people.

We also give importance to the development of the economic potential of women, to strengthening community-owned institutions for development, to NGO capacity development and to assisting producers develop and strengthen the markets for their products.
There are a diverse range of projects within each theme and these are targeted at different community groups - some target women, young people and unskilled workers; others focus on farmers, micro businesses and social entrepreneurs. The precise subject of the quick impact and long-term development projects will be finalised as part of the process of engaging the local community in the programme.

We aim to achieve sustainable benefits within each community and we see communication and targeting of actions as being fundamental parts of this goal.
The specific objectives of the Study are included the following key tasks:

 Creating a network of 10 Village Development Associations (VDAs) to coordinate local participation in project activities and manage the implementation of micro credit funds.

 Facilitating basic infrastructure improvements (mainly through quick impact projects in each of the 68 settlements), by implementing a participatory approach to needs identification and resolution with    the affected communities.

 Development of agricultural skills and diversification of activities. This support will particularly focus on animal husbandry, forest village development and meadow and rangeland improvements.

 Establishing Credit Funds which have sustainable repayment schemes and which can be managed by newly established Village Development Associations.

 Stimulation of micro business and entrepreneurship - particularly among women and young people.