Saatja: Kırsal Bölgelerdeki Kadın Hareketi Dernegi (BIZ DE VARIZ)
<
[email protected]>
Saadetud: 19.03.2026 00:58
Adressaat: Maret Maripuu <
[email protected]>
Koopia: Vadim Ivanov <
[email protected]>; Kadri Maasik
<
[email protected]>; Meeli Miidla-Vanatalu <Meeli.Miidla-
[email protected]>; Priit Laos <
[email protected]>; SKA
Info <
[email protected]>; <
[email protected]>
Teema: Turkish and Estonian Civil Society Cooperation
Tähtsus: Kõrgeim
Manused: image003.png; Turkish and Estonian Civil Society
Cooperation_Dear_Mrs._Maret_MARIPUU.pdf; project brochure.pdf
Tähelepanu! Tegemist on väljastpoolt asutust saabunud kirjaga. Tundmatu saatja
korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada.
Number : 2026/36
Subject : Turkish and Estonian Civil Society Cooperation
Date : Türkiye, Rize, March 19, 2026
Dear Mrs. Maret MARIPUU
Social Insurance Board
Director-General
Dear Mrs. Maripuu
Our association, in partnership with the Estonian Disabled Women’s Association (Estonia), the
Lithuanian Women’s Society (Lithuania) and the Gender Studies, o.p.s. (Czechia), implemented
the "Civil Society Dialogue for Empowered Women" project in the Czech Republic, Lithuania,
and Estonia (The brochure for this project is attached.). This project was supported by the
European Union. The project was implemented between 01.04.2021 – 30.01.2023.
The aim of the project is ‘’Overall objective: to strengthen the position of women in Rize and
improve the information exchange and sustainable cooperation between Turkish and European
CSOs. Specific objectives: (1) To ensure information exchange about Women-friendly Cities and
“women with disabilities” approach of women’s CSOs between Turkish and Estonian CSOs; (2)
To establish the “women in local governance e-platform”; (3) To inform the Turkish public on
the EU and the European public on Turkey.’’
The project has been successfully implemented in Türkiye, Estonia, Czech Republic, and
Lithuania.
The International workshop with subject of “Women's Rights with Disabilities in Estonia” for
lively and colourful society dialogue among NGO was done in Estonia. The International
workshop was held in two phases. At the first stage, travel observation and examination works
have been implemented. During those examination works, presentations have been performed by
the people who know well the point. At the second stage; group works and presentations called as
indoor area work were done. This workshop provided to attendants to make strength democracy
and law subject to estimated political dimensions. Women's Support Center and Eesti Puuetega
Naiste Ühenduste Liit (EPNÜL) served as a role model for Turkish participants. The
International workshop not only has increased the information and capacities of the participants
but also provide an opportunity to them for practicing as a part of solution. So, they have
increased their self-confidence.
Achievements of the project:
1. Better information sharing about Project partners and opportunities and difficulties due to
enlarging of EU in future were shared through negotiations.
2. A dialogue has been established between EU Member States and Turkiye where
"concerns and views will be discussed sincerely and clearly".
3. Entering of Estonia to EU, learnt lessons, Lecturing about points like rights of disabled
women, Activities of NGOs with women subject in EU and Estonia, Gender Equality in
Estonia and EU Countries.
4. Estonian participants have had the opportunity to get to know Turkiye closely.
5. Estonian participants have learned about the works Turkey has done during the EU
harmonization process.
6. Better information sharing about the project partners opportunities and difficulties due to
enlarging of EU in future were shared through negotiations.
7. Tallinn Women’s Support Center served as a role model for Turkish NGO
representatives, and a women’s shelter as well as a women’s incubation (counselling)
center were established in the province of Rize, the Republic of Türkiye.
8. A civil society dialogue was established between Estonian and Turkish women’s support
centers and shelters, and a joint project was developed.
Our project team in Estonia is very successful. Disciplined and dedicated. I would like to take
this opportunity to thank Mrs Vaike Pähn (Tallinn Women's Support Center). The PowerPoint
presentations were particularly impressive. The participants loved them. They served as role
models for the participants.
Mrs. Pähn delivered presentations on the operational functioning of women’s shelters in Estonia,
particularly the Tallinn Women’s Support Center. Mrs. Pähn’s presentation attracted significant
interest among Turkish and Lithuanian participants. Turkish participants, in particular,
demonstrated a strong interest. In the final session of the workshop, a brainstorming session
entitled “Laying the Foundations of Civil Society Dialogue between Türkiye, Estonia, and
Lithuania in the Field of Women’s Shelters” was held upon the request of Turkish and Lithuanian
participants. Under the guidance of Mrs. Pähn, presentations were delivered on the institutional
functioning of women’s support centers and shelters across Estonia, with particular reference to
the Tallinn Women’s Support Center. Turkish and Lithuanian participants also delivered
presentations outlining the opportunities and challenges in their respective countries.
Subsequently, discussions and exchanges of views were held with the participation of all
attendees. During this brainstorming session, it was strongly envisaged that Türkiye, as a
candidate country to the EU, would take Estonian women’s shelters as a role model and establish
both a women’s incubation (counselling) center and a women’s shelter in the Black Sea Region
of Türkiye (with the province of Rize designated as the pilot area). Motivation on this matter has
increased. In addition, it was decided to develop a project to establish a civil society dialogue
between Estonian and Turkish women’s support centers and shelters. We are currently working
on this project proposal.
We are in constant dialogue with Tallinn Women's Support Center and Eesti Puuetega Naiste
Ühenduste Liit (EPNÜL). We are currently preparing a joint project proposal. The purpose of this
project is "to strengthen the voice and actions of local civil society for climate justice and
inclusive climate local governance in Türkiye by engaging with the most vulnerable, excluded
and disadvantaged groups of society, such as disabled women."
We want to implement this project to create a bigger synergy in the project site and to increase
the sustainability of the project. With the contributions of Estonia Missions and EU Missions that
put value on ‘Disabled Women's Rights’ a great synergy and the multiplier effect will be
generated.
I respectfully submit this information to your attention.
Annex: Project brochure
Berrin YEGEN MOLLAVELIOGLU
President of the Board of Directors
phone : + 90 464 213 22 02
e-mail (1) :
[email protected]
e-mail (2) :
[email protected]
web (1) : www.bizdevarizdernegi.org
web (2) : http://www.bizdevarizdernegi.org/e-platform-tr/e-platformtoplanti.html
youtube : @bizdevarizdernegi
address : Çarşı Mah., Hacı Eşref Cad., Boştan İş Hanı, No:16/302, 53100 Merkez
Rize, TÜRKIYE
PROJECT CONTRACTOR FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROJECT
THE ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN'S
MOVEMENT IN RURAL AREAS (BIZ DE VARIZ)
The Association of Women's Movement in Rural
Areas was founded in 2010. The short name of the
association is “BIZ DE VARIZ”, meaning “We are
WOMEN MOVEMENT ASSOCIATIAN AT THE RURAL REGION WOMEN MOVEMENT ASSOCIATIAN AT THE RURAL REGION
here, too”. The aim of the BIZ DE VARIZ Association is to realize, WOMEN MOVEMENT ASSOCIATIAN AT THE RURAL REGION Civil Society Dialogue Programme VI
enhance, research, and assess the human rights of the women living in (BIZ DE VARIZ)
the rural areas of the Black Sea Region; protect them from rights viola-
tions; prevent violations; identify violations; improve women's access
e-mail:
[email protected]
Address: Çarşı Mah., Hacı Eşref Cad. Boştan Işhanı,
CIVIL SOCIETY
to public services with all the actions to provide them with legal support
and assistance in the event of violations or where it is otherwise neces-
sary; raise the social, economic, and political status of women; raise
No:16/, 302, 53100 Merkez/Rize, Tü rkiye
Tel: 0 464 715 14 16
DIALOGUE FOR STRONG WOEN
awareness and develop capacity against gender discrimination and Web: www.bizdevarizdernegi.org
violation; and enable the participation of women in economy, hence
promoting women's employment. BIZ DE VARIZ Association has imple-
PROJECT
mented many projects with the support of various reputable interna-
tional organizations such as, primary among them, the European Union
(EU), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empower-
ment of Women (UN WOMEN), the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives LITHUANIAN WOMEN'S SOCIETY (LİTVANYA)
(CFLI), the British Embassy in Ankara, the Swiss Embassy, Freedom e-mail:
[email protected]
House, and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES). Address: Jono Basanavič iaus g. 11, Vilnius 03108, Litvanya
Telefon: +370 5 262 3009 Web: www.lmd.lt
CO-APPLICANTS
LITHUANIAN WOMEN'S SOCIETY
(LITHUANIA):
The Lithuanian Women's Association was estab- ESTONIAN DISABLED WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION
lished in 1990 in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Its acronym is LMD. (ESTONYA)
LMD Association was founded to ight against all kinds of discrimination
and violence against women. L MD is a non-governmental organization
e-mail: of
[email protected]
that unites women of all ages, nationalities, creeds, and views.LMD Address: Endla 59, 10615 Tallinn, Estonya
became a member of the International Women's Alliance (IAW) in 1992 Tel: +372 5645 3468
and the International Council of Women (ICW) in 2002. LMD has carried Web: www.epnu.ee
out successful projects supported by many international funding insti-
tutions, especially the European Union.
ESTONIAN DISABLED WOMEN'S
ASSOCIATION (ESTONIA):
The Estonian Association of Disabled Women is a GENDER STUDIES, O.P.S. (ÇEK CUMHURİYETİ)
non-governmental organization established in e-mail: of
[email protected]
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, in 1998. Its acronym is EPNUL.EPNUL Address: Masarykovo ná bř ež ı́ 8, Prag 2, Çekya
became an umbrella organization in 2013 and joined the Estonian
Chamber of Disabled People in 2016. EPNUL has carried out successful Tel: +420 224 915 666
projects supported by many international funding institutions, espe- Web: www.genderstudies.cz
cially the European Union.
GENDER STUDIES, O.P.S. (CZECH REPUBLIC):
Gender Studies ops is a non-governmental organization
founded in 1999 in Prague, the capital city of Czechia.The
aim of Gender Studies is to create a discussion space for Web: www.siviltoplumdiyalogu.org
the position and roles of women and men in society, the systematic
elimination of gender inequalities and contributing to tolerance for
alternative lifestyles. Gender Studies ops has carried out successful This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union.
Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Association of Women's Movement in
projects supported by many international funding institutions, espe- Rural Areas and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
cially the European Union. WOMEN MOVEMENT ASSOCIATIAN AT THE RURAL REGION
PROJECT AIM WHAT WE WILL DO
The overall aim of our project is to enhance exchange of a) Following the signing of the project contract, an effective
information and sustainable cooperation between civil project management and coordination unit will be
society organizations in Turkey and European Union established. An effective and robust monitoring,
member states to strengthen the position of women. measurement, evaluation, and reporting methodology
The speci ic objectives of our project are as follows: will be developed for the project.
1- Ensuring exchange of information between the civil b) A project-speci ic communication strategy will be
society organizations in Turkey and the European Union developed for the project to be implemented effectively,
regarding women-friendly cities and how women's civil to resonate with the local, national, and international
society organizations address "women with disabilities", PROJECT communities and to raise interest in the project.
2- Establishing a “women in local governance e-platform”, MAIN ACTIVITIES Visibility products will be prepared as part of this
3- Informing the representatives strategy.
of Rize-Fındıklı and Ordu-Gü lyalı Activity 1: Project Coordination and Management, c) Activity 3: “Women-Friendly Cities” Experience Sharing
municipalities and local Women's Monitoring, Measurement, Evaluation, and Reporting in Czechia
CSOs about women-friendly Activity 2: Visibility and Dissemination d) A workshop on the barrier-free participation of women
cities, with disabilities in civil society will be held in Turkey.
Activity 3: “Women-Friendly Cities” Experience
4- Informing the Turkish public Following the end of the workshop, an action plan will be
about the European Union and Sharing
created, and a strong monitoring mechanism will be
European Union citizens about Activity 4: Workshop on the Barrier-Free Parti-
established to monitor this action plan.
Turkey. cipation of Women with Disabilities in Civil Society, e) The Barrier-Free European Dialogue of Women with
Action Plan, Monitoring of the Action Plan, and the Disabilities will take place in Estonia.
PROJECT TARGET GROUP Barrier-Free European Dialogue of Women with f) A Women in Local Governance e-platform will be set up.
Disabilities g) “Women-Friendly Cities” training kits will be created,
Our project has two target groups, direct and indirect. Activity 5: Establishment of a Women in Local and the target group will be trained on “Women-
The target group that will directly participate in the Governance E-Platform Friendly Cities”.
project activities: Activity 6: Women-Friendly City Trainings (Creation h) Awareness-raising conferences will be held in Czechia,
l 170 representatives of women's civil society organi- Estonia, and Lithuania on Turkey and in Ordu and Rize
of Women-Friendly Cities Training Kits, Informing
zations (60 Turkish, 50 Czech, 30 Estonian, and 30 (Turkey) on the European Union.
Lithuanian representatives); Municipal Employees, and Informing Women's Civil
l 50 local administration representatives; Society Organizations)
l 500 Laz, Lom, and Hemşin people. Activity 7: European Union and Turkey Awareness
The target group that will indirectly participate in the Conferences
project activities:
l Representatives of rights-based civil society organiza-
tions, local administrators, and representatives of
public organizations based in the Black Sea Region in
Turkey, Tallinn in Estonia, Prague in Czechia, and
Vilnius in Lithuania.
Number : 2026/36
Subject : Turkish and Estonian Civil Society Cooperation
Date : Türkiye, Rize, March 19, 2026
Dear Mrs. Maret MARIPUU
Social Insurance Board
Director-General
[email protected]
Dear Mrs. Maripuu
Our association, in partnership with the Estonian Disabled Women’s Association
(Estonia), the Lithuanian Women’s Society (Lithuania) and the Gender Studies,
o.p.s. (Czechia), implemented the "Civil Society Dialogue for Empowered Women"
project in the Czech Republic, Lithuania, and Estonia (The brochure for this project
is attached.). This project was supported by the European Union. The project was
implemented between 01.04.2021 – 30.01.2023.
The aim of the project is ‘’Overall objective: to strengthen the position of women in
Rize and improve the information exchange and sustainable cooperation between
Turkish and European CSOs. Specific objectives: (1) To ensure information
exchange about Women-friendly Cities and “women with disabilities” approach of
women’s CSOs between Turkish and Estonian CSOs; (2) To establish the “women
in local governance e-platform”; (3) To inform the Turkish public on the EU and the
European public on Turkey.’’
The project has been successfully implemented in Türkiye, Estonia, Czech
Republic, and Lithuania.
The International workshop with subject of “Women's Rights with Disabilities in
Estonia” for lively and colourful society dialogue among NGO was done in Estonia.
The International workshop was held in two phases. At the first stage, travel
observation and examination works have been implemented. During those
examination works, presentations have been performed by the people who know
well the point. At the second stage; group works and presentations called as indoor
1/3
Çarşı Mahallesi, Hacı Eşref Caddesi, Boştan İşhanı, No:16-302, 53100 Rize-Türkiye
Telefax: +90 (464) 715 14 16 e-mail:
[email protected] www.bizdevarizdernegi.org
area work were done. This workshop provided to attendants to make strength
democracy and law subject to estimated political dimensions. Women's Support
Center and Eesti Puuetega Naiste Ühenduste Liit (EPNÜL) served as a role model
for Turkish participants. The International workshop not only has increased the
information and capacities of the participants but also provide an opportunity to
them for practicing as a part of solution. So, they have increased their self-
confidence.
Achievements of the project:
1. Better information sharing about Project partners and opportunities and
difficulties due to enlarging of EU in future were shared through negotiations.
2. A dialogue has been established between EU Member States and Turkiye
where "concerns and views will be discussed sincerely and clearly".
3. Entering of Estonia to EU, learnt lessons, Lecturing about points like rights of
disabled women, Activities of NGOs with women subject in EU and Estonia,
Gender Equality in Estonia and EU Countries.
4. Estonian participants have had the opportunity to get to know Turkiye closely.
5. Estonian participants have learned about the works Turkey has done during
the EU harmonization process.
6. Better information sharing about the project partners opportunities and
difficulties due to enlarging of EU in future were shared through negotiations.
7. Tallinn Women’s Support Center served as a role model for Turkish NGO
representatives, and a women’s shelter as well as a women’s incubation
(counselling) center were established in the province of Rize, the Republic of
Türkiye.
8. A civil society dialogue was established between Estonian and Turkish
women’s support centers and shelters, and a joint project was developed.
Our project team in Estonia is very successful. Disciplined and dedicated. I would
like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Vaike Pähn (Tallinn Women's Support
Center). The PowerPoint presentations were particularly impressive. The
participants loved them. They served as role models for the participants.
Mrs. Pähn delivered presentations on the operational functioning of women’s
shelters in Estonia, particularly the Tallinn Women’s Support Center. Mrs. Pähn’s
presentation attracted significant interest among Turkish and Lithuanian
participants. Turkish participants, in particular, demonstrated a strong interest. In
the final session of the workshop, a brainstorming session entitled “Laying the
Foundations of Civil Society Dialogue between Türkiye, Estonia, and Lithuania in
the Field of Women’s Shelters” was held upon the request of Turkish and Lithuanian
participants. Under the guidance of Mrs. Pähn, presentations were delivered on the
institutional functioning of women’s support centers and shelters across Estonia,
with particular reference to the Tallinn Women’s Support Center. Turkish and
Lithuanian participants also delivered presentations outlining the opportunities and
2/3
Çarşı Mahallesi, Hacı Eşref Caddesi, Boştan İşhanı, No:16-302, 53100 Rize-Türkiye
Telefax: +90 (464) 715 14 16 e-mail:
[email protected] www.bizdevarizdernegi.org
challenges in their respective countries. Subsequently, discussions and exchanges
of views were held with the participation of all attendees. During this brainstorming
session, it was strongly envisaged that Türkiye, as a candidate country to the EU,
would take Estonian women’s shelters as a role model and establish both a
women’s incubation (counselling) center and a women’s shelter in the Black Sea
Region of Türkiye (with the province of Rize designated as the pilot area).
Motivation on this matter has increased. In addition, it was decided to develop a
project to establish a civil society dialogue between Estonian and Turkish women’s
support centers and shelters. We are currently working on this project proposal.
We are in constant dialogue with Tallinn Women's Support Center and Eesti
Puuetega Naiste Ühenduste Liit (EPNÜL). We are currently preparing a joint project
proposal. The purpose of this project is "to strengthen the voice and actions of local
civil society for climate justice and inclusive climate local governance in Türkiye by
engaging with the most vulnerable, excluded and disadvantaged groups of society,
such as disabled women."
We want to implement this project to create a bigger synergy in the project site and
to increase the sustainability of the project. With the contributions of Estonia
Missions and EU Missions that put value on ‘Disabled Women's Rights’ a great
synergy and the multiplier effect will be generated.
I respectfully submit this information to your attention.
Berrin YEGEN MOLLAVELIOGLU
President of the Board of Directors
Appendix: Project brochure
3/3
Çarşı Mahallesi, Hacı Eşref Caddesi, Boştan İşhanı, No:16-302, 53100 Rize-Türkiye
Telefax: +90 (464) 715 14 16 e-mail:
[email protected] www.bizdevarizdernegi.org