Expanding the partnership to promote coordination and cooperation between state and CSO service providers

The meeting was held within the framework of the Joint Program on “Improving the system of social protection through the introduction of inclusive quality community-based social services”, between Government of Turkmenistan and UN. It brought together 50 representatives of state organizations, civil society, private sector, and international community.

The aim of the meeting was to create a space to inform governmental and non-governmental service providers about the national progress to make transformative changes in the current system of social service delivery in Turkmenistan and establish collaboration among social work specialists and civil society organizations (CSOs) to further introduce specialized services and their expansion to other regions of the country where they are not currently available.

Along with the MLSP officials, there were a number of presentations from the leading CSOs and social enterprises. The international experience on cooperation between state social service providers and NGOs was presented by the SDG Fund Joint Programme Chief Technical Advisor Ms. Joanna Rodgers. As the international expert noted,

“Governments need the Civil Society organizations and Organizations of people with disabilities (DPOs) at all levels in order to reach people who are the most excluded, vulnerable and in need of support. To give them voice, mobilise resources, and to ensure that a full range of social services are developing that can meet a range of needs and social challenges”

During the seminar, international speakers and their Turkmen colleagues considered how to accelerate and expand activities to promote sustainable cooperation in the provision of social support. The participants deliberated on necessary national policies and their effective implementation; shared experience and best practices; and provided examples of successful and innovative approaches to strengthening cooperation.