WNEA e.V. Strategy
Türkiye 2026–2030
Comprehensive, SDG-aligned development cooperation strategy for sustainable German-Turkish NGO collaboration in rural areas, supporting decentralization.
WNEA e.V. • Dresden, Germany
Context Türkiye 2026–2030
Structural challenges in rural regions and development cooperation opportunities
Continuous rural exodus to urban centers due to limited economic opportunities, inadequate infrastructure, and climate challenges leading to social destabilization.
Increasing water stress due to climate change, inefficient usage, and population growth endangering agriculture, health, and social stability.
Small-scale farms face soil degradation, rising costs, climate risks, and limited access to modern, sustainable farming practices.
Women, youth, and vulnerable groups often excluded from economic participation, decision-making processes, and formal income structures.
Despite Türkiye's economic development, significant regional disparities persist, particularly in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia. Rural areas remain structurally disadvantaged with inadequate access to water, energy, education, and income opportunities.
The presented strategy offers a comprehensive, SDG-aligned development approach focused on sustainable local value chains, rural stabilization, and support for marginalized groups. It complements the UNSDCF Türkiye 2026-2030 framework and aligns with SDGs 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, and 17.
By integrating economic, ecological, and social improvements, the programs provide a foundation for long-term, sustainable, and measurable impact.
UNSDCF Türkiye 2026-2030
Official cooperation framework between the UN Country Team and the Government of the Republic of Türkiye. Signed in November 2025.
View Document (PDF)Action Areas
Eight strategic focus areas for sustainable development in Türkiye
Strengthening rural areas through sustainable local value chains, income creation, and community stabilization.
Promoting resource-efficient farming practices for food security, income stability, and environmental protection.
Improving access to safe water, sanitation, and climate-resilient infrastructure in rural areas.
Expanding decentralized renewable energy solutions to improve living conditions and reduce emissions.
Vocational training, digital literacy, and capacity building for youth and women to enhance employability.
Economic participation and social inclusion of women through cooperatives and income-generating activities.
Nature-based solutions, climate adaptation, reforestation, and sustainable resource management practices.
Strengthening local governance structures, civic participation, and transparent decision-making.
Fundable Programs
Five structured programs for development cooperation in Türkiye
Program Goal
Strengthening rural regions in Türkiye through sustainable local value chains, job creation, and stabilization of village social structures.
Rationale / Problem Reference
Rural regions in Türkiye face outmigration, aging populations, and limited economic attractiveness. Agricultural products are predominantly sold unprocessed, limiting value creation and income. Lack of opportunities accelerates rural exodus. The program addresses these structural causes through local processing and organization.
Target Groups
- Small-scale farming households
- Village communities
- Local producers and cooperatives
- Women and youth initiatives
Core Measures
- Establishing and supporting local cooperatives
- Setting up shared processing and production facilities
- Training in organization, quality assurance, and accounting
- Support for developing regional products and marketing
- Networking local actors at village and regional levels
Expected Impacts
- Increased local value creation
- More stable rural incomes
- Strengthened village structures
- Reduced outmigration
- Long-term economic self-sufficiency
Typical Funding Logics
Program Goal
Improving food security and income situations for small-scale farms through sustainable, resource-efficient agriculture.
Rationale / Problem Reference
Turkish agriculture faces pressure from water scarcity, soil degradation, rising production costs, and climate risks. Small farms often have limited access to knowledge and adapted farming methods. The program aims for resilient production systems.
Target Groups
- Small-scale farms
- Agricultural families
- Producer organizations
Core Measures
- Training in water-saving irrigation
- Promoting soil-conserving cultivation methods
- Consulting on reducing farm inputs
- Introducing climate-resilient production practices
- Ongoing agricultural technical consulting
Expected Impacts
- More stable agricultural yields
- Reduced resource consumption
- Improved income security
- Enhanced climate change adaptation
Typical Funding Logics
Program Goal
Improving access to safe water and sustainable water management in rural areas.
Rationale / Problem Reference
Türkiye increasingly faces water stress and drought. Rural regions often have inadequate water supply and inefficient usage. Water scarcity threatens agriculture, health, and social stability.
Target Groups
- Rural households
- Village communities
- Agricultural water users
Core Measures
- Building and renovating village water systems
- Promoting rainwater harvesting
- Introducing simple greywater solutions
- Training in local water management
- Raising awareness of hygiene standards
Expected Impacts
- Improved access to safe water
- More efficient water use
- Reduction of usage conflicts
- Increased drought resilience
Typical Funding Logics
Program Goal
Strengthening women's economic participation in rural areas through income-generating activities and collective organization.
Rationale / Problem Reference
Women play a central role in the rural economy but are often excluded from formal income and decision-making processes. Economic dependency reinforces social vulnerability of entire households.
Target Groups
- Rural women
- Women's groups and cooperatives
- Family-based business models
Core Measures
- Establishing and supporting women's cooperatives
- Promoting productive activities in village context
- Training in organization, marketing, and finance
- Supporting regional sales channels
Expected Impacts
- Additional income sources for women
- Strengthened local households
- Social stabilization of rural communities
- Improved gender equality in village context
Typical Funding Logics
Program Goal
Creating realistic future perspectives for young people in rural regions.
Rationale / Problem Reference
Youth leave rural regions due to lack of training and income opportunities. This threatens the long-term economic and social viability of villages.
Target Groups
- Youth and young adults
- Young agricultural households
- Return-interested individuals
Core Measures
- Work-related qualification programs
- Training in modern agriculture and processing
- Promoting entrepreneurial thinking
- Supporting youth initiatives in village context
Expected Impacts
- Improved employability
- New local business models
- Reduced outmigration
- Long-term securing of rural structures
Typical Funding Logics
Applicable to all programs:
Strategic Interpretation for Donors
- Programs 1–3 form the structural foundation
- Programs 4–5 increase social stability and long-term impact
- All programs are UNSDCF-compliant, SDG-aligned, and modularly combinable
Sustainable Development Goals
Our programs contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals
No Poverty
Zero Hunger
Good Health and Well-being
Quality Education
Gender Equality
Clean Water and Sanitation
Affordable and Clean Energy
Decent Work and Economic Growth
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Reduced Inequalities
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Responsible Consumption and Production
Climate Action
Life on Land
Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Partnerships for the Goals
All programs are systematically aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contribute to the UNSDCF Turkey 2026-2030 framework. The SDG alignment ensures international compatibility and enables measurable impact monitoring.
Through the multi-dimensional approach, our interventions create synergies across multiple SDGs and address systemic development challenges holistically rather than in isolation.
Strategic Recommendations
Guidelines for effective development cooperation
- Needs assessments and participatory planning
- Integration of migrants and refugees
- Long-term development perspectives
- Cooperation with Turkish NGOs
- Public-private partnerships
- Community engagement and participation
- MEAL systems (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning)
- Capacity building for local partners
- Exit strategies and local ownership
- Nature-based solutions
- Promotion of climate-resilient practices
- Awareness-raising on climate change
Complementarity
The NGO complements state development cooperation through direct access to marginalized communities, flexible project implementation, and promotion of civil society structures.
Fundability
Projects align with EU funding programs, German Federal Foreign Office, BMZ small grants funds, and private foundations while meeting international development cooperation standards.
Sustainability
Through local ownership, capacity building, and promoting self-responsibility, long-term impact of interventions is ensured.