Projects implemented by Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality in the fields of women’s empowerment, the environment, digitalisation and social services were presented at BELFOR as examples of good practice.
Organised by the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (TBB) in order to strengthen cooperation among municipalities, increase the sharing of good practices and expand the transfer of experience in local government, the Municipal Forum (BELFOR) was held in Ankara on 16–17 April. At BELFOR, where more than 700 applications were submitted by municipalities from across Türkiye, 225 project initiatives were presented.
225 projects presented
More than 700 applications were submitted this year to the Municipal Forum, which brought together municipalities from different regions of Türkiye, and at the end of the evaluation process, 225 projects were presented at BELFOR.
Over the course of the two-day forum, municipalities presented their good practices in 21 sessions under the headings of Social Policy, Youth Policy, Democratic Municipalism and Participation, Care Services, Environmental and Water Policies, Alternative Economic Models in Production and Consumption, Improvement of Public Spaces, and Scientific and Technological Innovation.
A number of DBB projects were selected and presented
At the forum, a large number of initiatives implemented by Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality were selected and presented as examples of good practice.
Women’s policy initiatives stood out
Three initiatives carried out by the Department of Women’s Policies were included in BELFOR as examples of good practice. Presentations prepared under the titles of JINKART, the “We Transform Through Our Cycle” Washable Pad Workshop, and Women’s Solidarity Production Groups were shared with participants. The JINKART initiative attracted particular interest, especially for its support for women’s participation in social life.
Digital waste management system introduced
The Waste Sorting Information System, developed by the Department of Information Technology, was also featured among the examples of good practice at the forum. In the presentation delivered by Department Head Berçim Güzel, it was emphasised that the system aims to digitalise waste management in municipal service areas and pilot zones.
Other municipalities were informed that the system offers important functions such as increasing recycling efficiency, raising awareness of source separation, and enabling the spatial monitoring of processes.
In the presentation delivered at BELFOR on the Jinmap application, developed by the Department of Information Technology, it was explained that the application had been designed in line with its core features, including its map-based structure developed with the aim of creating a safer city for women, the reporting of high-risk areas, access to safer routes, multilingual use, and data security.
Accessibility and social support applications shared
The Department of Disability and Elderly Services also took part in BELFOR with two important initiatives. The Accessible Audio Library and the Social Taxi service for cancer patients were presented among the forum’s examples of good practice.
It was stated that these initiatives facilitate access to services for disadvantaged groups and strengthen the understanding of social municipalism.
While drawing attention at BELFOR with the innovative and inclusive projects it has developed in different fields, Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality also contributed to the wider dissemination of good practices in municipal governance.
Participatory Budgeting practice introduced
As part of the forum, the Participatory Budgeting practice carried out by Diyarbakır City Council together with the Metropolitan Municipality and district municipalities was also presented, and information was shared on how the project is implemented.
