Turkey

As economic output grows, Turkey's need for energy is rising too. Therefore, the focus of cooperation with Turkey is on promoting renewable energy, improving energy and resource efficiency, as well as environmental protection. This is why the Turkish environmental and development bank, TSKB in Istanbul, has received about 122 million EUR from KfW Development Bank since 2008. These funds were provided as part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) for a climate protection programme. The programme promotes the usage of renewable energy sources, in addition to projects which boost energy efficiency. In 2012 and 2013, KfW provided TSKB with a further 190 million EUR from its own funds for raising energy and resource efficiency in the industrial sector. This should reduce negative effects on the environment and climate in Turkish industry.

In part, economic development in Turkey is hampered by the fact that there are no suitable financial services to meet the needs of small enterprises and households on low incomes. For this reason KfW Development Bank is supporting Turkish banks in specialising in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) and private households. In turn, the Turkish banks can access refinancing via KfW, i. e. the credit product energy efficiency (EE) was launched for refinancing EE investments in small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and private households. This programme creates new jobs, which lead to an improvement in the living conditions of poorer sections of the population.

A priority area of German-Turkish cooperation was municipal infrastructure. KfW, on behalf of the German government supported the expansion of water supply and wastewater disposal systems, the building of wastewater treatment plants and waste disposal systems. Projects in poorer, structurally-weak regions were particularly earmarked for financing. Accordingly, outdated pipes were replaced in many small and medium-sized districts to reduce water losses and improve water quality. Waste disposal systems were upgraded in urban areas. An example of a project still financed using funds from the German government is the building of a modern waste disposal unit in the city of Samsun on the Black Sea.

Project information - Waste management  (PDF, 271 KB, accessible)

Turkey has taken in more than 2.7 million Syrian refugees, making it the largest host country in the world. Germany is helping Turkey to meet the challenges presented by the refugee crisis and to integrate the refugees.

• As part of the "Middle East/Turkey Cash-for-Work Programme", KfW Development Bank is helping to create job opportunities in the communities that have taken in refugees and to improve living conditions. For example, the local population is supported in the production and sales of olive oil. Jobs are created by modernising oil mills and selling oil. The measures are being implemented by United Nations aid organisations that receive funds via KfW from the special initiative "Tackling the root causes of displacement, reintegrating refugees". KfW also supports UNICEF in providing protection and education for children in refugee camps. The initiative funds compensation for Syrian teachers who teach refugee children at Turkish schools and in refugee camps.

KfW is also implementing part of the EUR 6 billion pledged by the EU and its member states to support Turkey in refugee care and integration.

• With resources from the "EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis", KfW is currently funding with EU grants the construction of up to 26 schools in Turkey attended by both Turkish and Syrian children.
• Under the scope of the "Facility for Refugees in Turkey", KfW is using grants from the EU and its member states to construct another 15 schools, to support vocational training programmes and promote MSMEs, complementary to the measures being implemented on behalf of the German Federal Government.

You will find information on UNICEF's work in Turkey here.