Investigation of the Relationship Between Local Governments and Civil Society Organizations the Framework of the Existing Constitution and Laws: Case of Silivri

Abstract

This study is on the investigation of the relationship between the Local Governments and Non- Governmental Organisations (NGO) within the Constitution and Official Laws framework. Because of disalignation between the NGOs, that are very effective on the guidance of Turkish society and the Local Governments that are formed to meet the need the society, instead of coordination, they oppose each other. Non-Governmental Organisations have an important role to resolve this contradiction. In the first chapter of this study, the definitions of Local Governments and NGO’s were made, under the Current Constitution and Law. In the second chapter, the structure of Local Governments after 2004 and the developments on this area were investigated. In the third chapter, NGO’s were explained according to the current law and the definition and characteristics of Non-Government, the development of NGO’s in Turkey, Non- Governmental Organisations and Local Governments, the impact of NG’s on the Territorial and Local Policies and the relationship with the Pressure Groups were brought up. In the last chapter, the expectations of the local administrations were determined by interviewing the NGO’s selected from non-governmental organizations in Silivri district of Istanbul. Another important task of the Municipalities in Contemporary Administration of Municipalities is to focus on economic development and the necessity of cooperating for these purposes. However, the Municipal Law does not clearly state how NGO’s and Municipalities would perform this task and what they should do. The municipalities that are established “to meet the common needs of locality” are the most important shareholder of NGO’s and not having any kind of relationships or provide any services or facilities due to lack of knowledge of them, cause many problems. The municipalities are weak in reinforcing “Citizenship Law” and fail to achieve their purposes. The primary and only way to achieve this objective is to cooperate with NGO’s in their activities aimed at establishment. NGO interviews conducted in the study would be very helpful for municipalities in fulfilling these duties.