Project Management Workshop for Civil Society at IUE: 10 Participants from 8 NGOs Trained

Izmir University of Economics (IUE) hosted a specialized workshop this week aimed at empowering the region's civil society sector through advanced project management and reporting training.

The event, titled "Project Management, Budgeting, and Reporting Training for Local NGOs," was held on Thursday, April 2, at the IUE campus. A joint initiative between the Office of Social Contribution and the Leadership and Governance Application and Research Center (EKOLİDER), the workshop drew 10 representatives from eight distinct non-governmental organizations based in Izmir.

The program was led by Dr. Sarphan Uzunoğlu, Director of EKOLİDER and a faculty member in the Department of New Media and Communication. Dr. Uzunoğlu’s curriculum bridged the gap between theory and practice, providing participants with hands-on exercises in project application cycles, budget oversight, and the development of sustainable reporting mechanisms.

"The focus was on the strategic construction of grant processes," organizers noted, highlighting that monitoring and evaluation tools were a primary pillar of the day's training.

Prof. Dr. Filiz Başkan, IUE Social Contribution Coordinator, opened the session by outlining the university’s mission to move beyond traditional academic boundaries.

"We believe universities should be dynamic structures that share knowledge with all segments of society," Prof. Dr. Başkan said. "Strengthening the capacity of Izmir’s civil society is a cornerstone of our local development goals. This is only the beginning of a deeper, long-term collaboration."

The sentiment was echoed by Dr. Funda Sarıcı, a specialist at the Social Contribution Office, who emphasized that hearing directly from NGO leaders allowed the university to better understand the immediate needs of the field. Sarıcı confirmed that this workshop is part of a broader series intended to solidify a "permanent dialogue" between the university, public institutions, and the third sector.

The workshop concludes as part of IUE’s ongoing commitment to social impact, with more themed capacity-building sessions expected to follow in the coming months.