FY2022 MOFA ODA Evaluation Results
Evaluation of Japan’s ODA to Turkey
| Chief Evaluator | HAYASHI Kaoru Professor, Faculty of International Studies, Bunkyo University |
| Advisor | HAZAMA Yasushi Senior Researcher, Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization |
| Consultant | Foundation for Advanced Studies on International Development |
| Evaluation Period | FY2017 to FY2021 |
| Period of the Evaluation Study | April 2022 to February 2023 |
| Field Survey Country | Turkey |
Background, Objectives, and Scope of the Evaluation
Situated at the crossroads between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, Turkey has significant geopolitical importance as an outstanding country that holds the key to peace, stability, and welfare in the region. On the other hand, in line with its economic growth, Turkey is facing issues such as the improvement of city life, easing economic disparities between regions, and dealing with high inflation, making sustainable economic growth a challenge.
The objective of this Evaluation was to review Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) policies and implementation over the past five years (FY2017-2021), and to produce recommendations and lessons learned for policy planning and implementation of future Japanese assistance to Turkey. The objective was also to fulfill accountability to the public by publishing the evaluation results.
Summary of Evaluation Results
● Development Viewpoints
(1) Relevance of Policies
Japan’s assistance policy for Turkey is highly consistent with Turkish development policy and needs, and conforms to the Development Cooperation Charter (2015) and international priority issues. Furthermore, it is in harmony with the assistance policies stated by the major donors to Turkey, the EU, and the World Bank. Also, in the field of disaster risk reduction, Japan is achieving results by providing assistance that utilizes the comparative advantages of Japan.
In view of the above, the Relevance of Policy is Highly Satisfactory.
(Evaluation Result: Highly Satisfactory)
(2) Effectiveness of Results
As stated later in Appropriateness of Processes, due to the impact of negotiations toward the conclusion of the Agreement on Technical Cooperation, some of the planned projects were not implemented during the evaluation period. Therefore, inputs from the realization of policy targets went partly unfulfilled, but these points were included in the evaluation of Appropriateness of Processes, and the evaluation of the Effectiveness of Results included only the results of projects that were implemented.
With regard to a Priority Area “Building a strong social infrastructure to support the economy” and “Supporting Turkey’s Syrian refugee policies,” outputs/outcomes were confirmed, with particularly large impacts in the field of water supply and sanitation. In the field of disaster risk reduction, based on many years of cooperation between Japan and Turkey, there have been independent developments on the Turkish side even after the end of the cooperation, and remarkable ripple effects have been generated. Furthermore, in cooperation with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and other government agencies that have implemented technical cooperation projects in the past, third country training programs were conducted to deepen the partnership as development partners. Regarding the Priority Area “Strengthening cooperation with the private sector,” there were only limited effects due to inconsistencies with needs and the impact of COVID-19, etc., but some projects promoted people-to-people connections between the two countries and the recovery of business networks that can be expected to produce other developments in the future.
In view of the above, the effectiveness of results is deemed to be Satisfactory.
(Evaluation Result: Satisfactory)
(3) Appropriateness of Processes
In the process of formulating the Country Development Cooperation Policy for Turkey, the draft was produced and approved following communication with Japanese government agencies, the Government of Turkey and implementing agencies. Measures with regard to extensions for delayed ODA loan projects were also discussed. For policy implementation, it was confirmed that there was diverse cooperation with Japanese officials in the field of disaster risk reduction. In terms of assistance for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), effects were produced through cooperation with multilateral donors.
On the other hand, in order to conclude the Agreement on Technical Cooperation, officials on the Japanese side put in a great effort, but there were delays to negotiations and procedures between Japan and Turkey, and time was needed for approval processes on the Turkish side. During that time, it was found that the implementation of some Technical Cooperation Projects was delayed, and results that were needed in order to achieve the targets were not produced. This had an effect on policy relevance and the effectiveness of results. Also, many officials from both Japan and Turkey brought up the opinion about the need to further promote PR activities.
Based on the above, the Appropriateness of Processes is Partially Satisfactory.
(Evaluation Result: Partially Satisfactory)
*Ratings: Highly Satisfactory; Satisfactory; Partially Satisfactory; Unsatisfactory
● Diplomatic Viewpoints
(1) Diplomatic Importance
Turkey is a geopolitically important regional power, and, in addition to its important role in regional security as a NATO member nation, it is actively developing multilateral diplomacy with Europe, the U.S., Russia, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Maintaining a close relationship with Turkey is important to Japanese diplomatic strategy.
(2) Diplomatic Impact
Development cooperation for Turkey contributed to a positive feeling about Japan and strengthened the bilateral relationship. Japan’s presence is being felt through, for example, the urban and regional water and sewerage system provision projects, and assistance to communities that have accepted Syrian refugees. Participants in JICA training in Japan have continued to be active, especially in the field of education for disaster risk reduction. The understanding and interest in Japan seem to be increasing thanks to them.
Recommendations Based on Evaluation Results
(1) Continue Cooperation in Connection with Disaster Risk Reduction
Japan should continue to provide cooperation that demonstrates its comparative advantages in the sector of disaster risk reduction.
(2) Strengthen Cooperation in Connection with Climate Change Countermeasures
Cooperation should be promoted in connection with climate change countermeasures while selecting areas where Japan can demonstrate its comparative advantage.
(3) Promote People-to-People Exchanges (training in Japan)
Increasing the opportunity for people-to-people exchanges will contribute to the maintenance of long-term positive relationships and should therefore be promoted.
(4) Expand and Promote Triangular Cooperation Programs with Turkey
Triangular cooperation programs should be further expanded and promoted by means of cooperation with Turkey, including cooperation with TIKA and other Turkish Government agencies.
(5) Strengthen PR Activities in Turkey
Although various public relations activities such as social media, site tours to local press agents, etc., have been undertaken, these tools should be used more efficiently and effectively in order to enhance PR activities.
(6) Reconsider Revising Schedule of the Development Cooperation Policy
It is desirable that the Country Development Cooperation Policy for Turkey is revised after the announcement of the 12th Development Plan of Turkey.
(7) Examine Methods of Enhancing Expertise in the JICA Turkey Office
It is desirable to examine methods to further enhance the expertise of the JICA Turkey office in order to maintain smooth communications.
Tsunami disaster prevention video at the Bursa Disaster Training Centre, which was made in the Project of Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster Mitigation in the Marmara Region and Disaster Education in Turkey.