“I participated in all sessions of the training program and was actively involved in the working group “Coordination in our ERP process within ministries, between ministries, with the ERP coordinator” where representatives of our Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services had the chance to discuss contributions and share views on the provided format, steps to be taken in the ERP process, challenges and difficulties, gaps and any other issues.

Later on, we continued to communicate with the work group members to draft our contributions for the next session, where we exchanged views on how to coordinate and draft measures for the ERP. Actually, it was a mini-sample implementation of the coordination of the ERP process.

In the next training session, all working groups presented their contributions, and shared their experiences and challenges in coordinating the drafting of measures for ERPs and similar policy documents. I presented the findings of our working group.

Group work gave us a chance to see how different institutions act in the coordination process, what kind of challenges they face, how to solve them and proceed further, and what are the common and different aspects in drafting and coordinating the ERP process.

On the other hand, the explanations, presentations and questions that the experts raised offered us a comprehensive perspective by comparing the situation in different institutions and countries, and analyzing the do’s and don’ts.

In the next session, we had an opportunity to meet with experts from our ministry, who are responsible for drafting the ERP measures, and experts from the Strategy and Budget Presidency of Turkey. We again exchanged views and gave additional explanations and clarifications concerning the draft measures that we had submitted previously. Taking into consideration the possible challenges in designing the ERP measures and ensuring efficient and effective coordination between the numerous relevant departments in the ministry and within the time limitations, this discussion prevented possible time loss and communication problems among all stakeholders, allowing us to take the initiative and act more swiftly.

During the working group sessions, we prepared a chart on the coordination process in our Ministry, including all stages of drafting and decision-making, possible challenges and recommendations/solutions. The coordination process involves representatives from various departments of our Ministry, including people who took part in the ERP process in previous years and also new experts. In this regard, group work was a good opportunity to refresh knowledge and provide information and tips to the newcomers.

Following the training sessions, we have continued working with the relevant departments of our Ministry, and have revised the measures on employment and social inclusion in the ERP, using the ideas and tips from the training sessions as well as the views and comments of the experts from the CEF and the Strategy and Budget Presidency of Turkey.

In the process of developing the ERP for Turkey, the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services is taking part in drafting measures for employment and social policy issues. We have set up good communication between the departments of the Ministry as well as with the Strategy and Budget Presidency.”