Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has provided 458 sets of traditional folklore costumes, specially crafted in Türkiye, to the folk dance teams of Turkish and Tatar compatriots affiliated with the Romanian Democratic Turkish Union and the Romanian Muslim Tatar Turks Democratic Union.
Turkish and Tatar communities in Romania actively work under the umbrellas of these unions to preserve, celebrate, and pass down their social and cultural heritage to future generations. Folk dance events hold a particularly significant place among these efforts.
Our compatriots, who perform traditional folk dances during festivals, shows, and competitions, have played a vital role in showcasing Turkish culture to Romanians and preserving this rich heritage from the past to the present.
TİKA delivered costumes featuring traditional clothing and accessories—including headgear, headscarves, shirts, bindallı, shalwars, üç etek, belts, socks, shoes, and jodhpurs—representing the regions of Kandıra, Zonguldak, the Aegean, Central Anatolia, the Black Sea, Kütahya, Elazığ, Sakarya, Diyarbakır, Artvin, Kırklareli, Ankara, Thrace, and Crimea. These costumes were provided to the Romanian Democratic Turkish Union and the Romanian Muslim Tatar Turks Democratic Union for use by folk dance teams composed of women, men, and children.
The project aimed to support the folk dance teams of the Turkish and Tatar unions in better representing their cultural heritage at various events, enhancing the preservation and development of national and cultural values, and most importantly, promoting a sense of social unity and awareness among young people.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has established an Olive Oil Production Unit on the campus of the Ministry of Agriculture in Muzaffarabad, the capital of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir region of Pakistan. The facility was inaugurated during a formal ceremony.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Minister of Agriculture, Serdar Mir Ekber Han; TİKA’s Head of the East and South Asia, Pacific and Latin America Department, Dursun Ali Yaşacan; TİKA’s Coordinator in Islamabad, Muhsin Balcı; officials from the Ministry of Agriculture; as well as numerous farmers and local residents.
Speaking at the ceremony, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Minister of Agriculture Ekber Han highlighted the deep-rooted friendship between Türkiye and Pakistan, recalling that Türkiye was the first country to provide aid after the devastating 2005 earthquake. He stated that the establishment of the olive oil production facility is a testament to these enduring ties.
In his speech, TİKA’s Head of the East and South Asia, Pacific, and Latin America Department, Dursun Ali Yaşacan, noted that TİKA has implemented approximately 700 projects since 2010. He emphasized that the Olive Oil Production Unit will contribute to increasing olive oil production in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The unit, established by TİKA, has a production capacity of 100 liters of olive oil per hour. It is expected to benefit approximately 5,000 farmers in its initial phase, enabling them to produce olive oil locally without the need to travel to other cities outside Muzaffarabad.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) completed the renovation and repair of two schools in the Kale-i Zal district of Kunduz province, Afghanistan. The schools were inaugurated with an official ceremony.
The opening ceremony carried out in collaboration with TİKA and Kunduz Province’s National Education Directorate, was attended by Kari Salih Muhammed Nikmel, Deputy Director of National Education for Kunduz; Mevlevi Gül Rahman Muaviye, Education Director of Kale-i Zal; Mikail Taşdemir, TİKA’s Coordinator in Mazar-i-Sharif; Dr. Ahmet Çanga, Mazar-i-Sharif Desk Officer; as well as teachers, students, parents, and village elders.
As part of the project, the roofs of the schools were replaced, the interior and exterior walls were repainted and replastered, and the doors and windows were repaired. Additionally, suspended ceilings and fans were installed to enhance air circulation in the classrooms. Solar panels were added to meet the schools’ electricity needs, and additional equipment was provided to support both students and teachers.
Speaking at the ceremony; Kunduz Deputy Director of National Education, Kari Salih Muhammed Nikmel stated that the renovation and repair work carried out by TİKA exceeded their expectations. He emphasized that Türkiye and TİKA have long supported the Afghan people, particularly through contributions to education in Afghanistan. Highlighting the role of such projects in preparing younger generations for a brighter future, Nikmel expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Turkish people and TİKA.
TİKA’s Coordinator in Mazar-i-Sharif, Mikail Taşdemir stated that the renovation and repair of Halil Saadet Primary School and Martyr Abdul Samet Mahdum Secondary School, originally built by TİKA in 2007, have provided approximately 2,500 students with a safer and more modern learning environment. Taşdemir highlighted that the project aims to enhance the quality of education in the region and support children who represent the future’s promise. He emphasized that TİKA will continue its educational initiatives across Afghanistan.
Local residents and education officials pledged to maintain the improved physical conditions and uphold the quality of education at the renovated schools. The project was recognized as a significant step in strengthening the bonds of friendship between Türkiye and Afghanistan. The local community expressed their gratitude and satisfaction, thanking Türkiye for its support.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has established a physical therapy unit at the Mental Disability Rehabilitation Center in Hisar, Tajikistan. Additionally, the center’s bakery has been renovated and equipped with modern facilities.
The Hisar Mental Disability Rehabilitation Center, operating under the Tajikistan State Social Protection Agency, is one of 11 rehabilitation centers in the country. It provides care and treatment to 240 patients with various mental health conditions.
The physical therapy unit, addressing one of the center’s most critical needs for its 240 patients, was established as part of a collaborative project between TİKA and the Social Protection Agency.
The opening ceremony was attended by Hakim Holzoda, President of the Social Protection Agency; İbrahim Ethem Ünal, TİKA’s Coordinator in Dushanbe; representatives from the Tajikistan Ministry of Health and Social Protection; and staff from the Turkish Embassy in Dushanbe.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, officials from the Tajikistan Ministry of Health and Social Protection expressed their gratitude to Türkiye and TİKA, noting that the support provided to the center would greatly enhance the quality of its services.
TİKA continues to improve the living conditions of socially vulnerable groups and individuals in need through its projects in Tajikistan, while also contributing to the country’s social development.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), in collaboration with the Nayaba Women Manufacturers Association, has established a Regional Packaging and Production Workshop in Niamey, the capital of Niger.
Niger faces significant challenges in food security, national stability, and energy needs. The industrialization process, a cornerstone of development, is hindered by various obstacles. Despite the country’s economy being largely based on agriculture and animal husbandry, even basic production activities like packaging cannot be performed locally due to technological limitations.
In this context, TİKA established the “Regional Packaging and Production Workshop” in cooperation with the Nayaba Women Manufacturers Association to support the participation of women manufacturers in Niger’s industrial production processes.
The approximately 200-square-meter semi-closed hangar of the Nayaba Women Manufacturers Association in Niamey was renovated and transformed into a modern production facility. The facility now includes training classrooms, boutique spaces, and additional production areas, along with machines for shell-crushing, grinding, oil extraction, drying, roasting, labeling, and dating to process agricultural products. The workshop is also equipped with furniture, such as tables and shelves, as well as air conditioning and refrigeration units.
Daily capacity increased from 50 liters to 60 liters
The workshop opening was attended by Can Onat Atış, 3rd Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Niamey; Tanju Polat, TİKA’s Coordinator in Niamey; Rabi Arzika, President of the Nayaba Women Manufacturers Association; and many Nigerien women producers.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Rabi Arzika, President of the Nayaba Women Manufacturers Association, emphasized the significant increase in production capacity thanks to the support provided by TİKA. Arzika stated, “With TİKA’s support, our daily peanut oil production capacity has increased from 50 liters to 60 liters per hour. We would like to express our gratitude to the Republic of Türkiye and the Turkish people for this invaluable support.”
Strong support for women producers
The Regional Packaging and Production Workshop, established as part of the project, will serve the 63 members of the Nayaba Women Manufacturers Association, as well as hundreds of women producers across Niamey. Thanks to the workshop, women producers now have the opportunity to process, package, and label their products more efficiently and in accordance with industry standards.
The project aims to reduce time and labor losses in agricultural production and packaging, ultimately helping to prevent market losses.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), in collaboration with the Afghanistan National Saffron Union, provided equipment and material support to farmers in western Afghanistan. This region is home to over 50,000 saffron farmers, the majority of whom are women, producing some of the world’s highest-quality saffron.
TİKA supplied 4,500 small and large baskets for harvesting and transporting saffron, 10 tables, chairs for separating saffron stigmas from flowers, 20 drying machines, 4 bagging and packaging machines, and a saffron storage tank.
The delivery ceremony for the materials was attended by Sinan İlhan, Turkish Consul General in Herat; Arafat Deniz, TİKA’s Coordinator in Herat; İbrahim Adil, President of the Afghanistan Saffron Union; Necibullah Rahmeti, Deputy President of the Herat Chamber of Agriculture; and farmers from various districts and villages.
Speaking at the event, Consul General İlhan highlighted the heightened appreciation for farmers during the pandemic and emphasized that agriculture will continue to play a vital role in the future. He also underscored the significance of the support provided for saffron production.
TİKA’s Coordinator in Herat, Arafat Deniz emphasized that agriculture is Afghanistan’s primary source of income. He noted that previous efforts, such as distributing saffron bulbs, helped expand the cultivation of this valuable crop. Now, the provision of equipment and machinery aims to enable farmers to work more efficiently.
Afghanistan National Saffron Union President İbrahim Adil highlighted the existence of 38 unions across the country and expressed gratitude to Türkiye and TİKA for their support of this significant project, which seeks to increase saffron production.
This initiative, which will initially benefit 1,000 farmers in Herat, aims to enhance economic returns and agricultural income by enabling the local processing and packaging of saffron in rural areas.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) distributed food parcels containing essential supplies to 1,500 families affected by the devastating cyclone in the Sittwe region of Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
Cyclone Mocha, which struck Myanmar’s Rakhine state in July, caused extensive damage to numerous settlements. Many families, already struggling to access basic food supplies due to ongoing regional conflicts, are now fighting to survive with the help of humanitarian aid.
The food aid distributed by TİKA offered crucial support to struggling families in the region while strengthening the bonds of friendship between Myanmar and Türkiye.
Families who received the food parcels expressed their gratitude to Türkiye and TİKA, sharing their appreciation for the assistance provided.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has established two seedling greenhouses and a germination room in the Danniyeh region of northern Lebanon, enhancing the area’s seedling production capacity.
Through this initiative, TİKA has enabled farmers to source seedlings locally, making them both more cost-effective and reliable.
The project not only supports efforts to reduce poverty in rural areas but also drives the region’s economic development. It promotes the active participation of women in agricultural production while creating opportunities to experiment with new plant species suited to the local environment.
By improving agricultural sustainability in Danniyeh, the project strengthens the regional economy and enhances the quality of life for rural communities.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has replaced the carpets of the Shah Zafar Dargah and Tomb, which houses the tombs of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the 19th and final Mughal ruler, and his wife.
TİKA replaced the carpets of the Shah Zafar Dargah and Tomb, which houses the tomb of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the 19th and last Mughal ruler, and his wife—both significant figures in Turkish history.
The opening ceremony for the project, undertaken by TİKA, was attended by Neval Orbay, the Türkiye’s Ambassador to Naypyidaw, along with TİKA officials and members of the local community.
Bahadur Shah Zafar, who passed away in Yangon in 1862 while imprisoned by the British, is recognized as a significant figure in Turkish history. The dargah housing his tomb attracts thousands of visitors annually and serves as an important center for the Sufi tradition.
With support from Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), medical equipment and furniture were provided to the health center serving the Bujan Administrative Unit in Tropoja Municipality, northern Albania. Additionally, a heating system was installed in the facility.
An opening ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of the project, attended by Tropoja Deputy Governor, Altin Berbati; Head of the Bujan Administrative Unit, Sherif Vatoci; TİKA Balkans and Eastern Europe Department Head, Muhammed Ünal; TİKA’s Coordinator in Tirana, Mustafa Ata; managers from Tropoja’s Local Health Services Unit and health center staff.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Governor Berbati expressed his gratitude for the project implemented by TİKA, extending his gratitude to Türkiye on behalf of the approximately 4,000 residents of the region.
“Over 600 projects implemented”
Ünal, Head of TİKA’s Balkans and Eastern Europe Department stated that since 1996, TİKA has carried out over 600 projects and activities in Albania across various sectors, including education, healthcare, agriculture, and production.
Ünal expressed satisfaction with enhancing citizens’ access to quality healthcare services through this project, implemented in collaboration with the Albanian Ministry of Health. He emphasized that TİKA remains committed to supporting development initiatives across Albania.
Serving six villages and 4,000 people
The health center, which serves approximately 4,000 people across six villages under the Bujan Administrative Unit, relocated from its old building, in use since 1960, to the ground floor of the Bujan Administrative Unit building. The center is staffed by one doctor, 17 nurses, and one administrative employee.
With support from TİKA, the health center’s physical infrastructure was upgraded, and it now has a modern appearance with new medical equipment, furniture, and a heating system.
The book “The Calligraphy Heritage of the Timurs,” published by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), was unveiled during a program held in Herat, Afghanistan’s cultural capital. The book explores the art of calligraphy that flourished during the Timurid period.
The introductory program was attended by Sinan İlhan, Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Herat; Ahmet Tukur, Afghanistan Representative of the Turkish Maarif Foundation; Hamidullah Kamgar, author of “The Calligraphy Heritage of the Timurs”; Ferid Ahmed Eyubi, Deputy Director of Herat Provincial Culture and Information; Abdulcelil Tevana, President of the Herat Calligraphers Association; Aziz Niyazi, Vice President of Herat University; Refik Şehir, Head of the Herat Experts Council; Muhammed Davud Munir, President of the Herat Writers Association; Arafat Deniz, TİKA’s Coordinator in Herat; Ahmet Duran, Director of the Afghan-Turk Maarif Schools of the Herat Maarif Foundation; and many academics.
Speakers from Ireland and the United States also contributed to the program through video messages.
TİKA’s Coordinator in Herat, Deniz, delivering the program’s opening speech, highlighted TİKA’s extensive contributions to culture and art in Herat. He noted that the book “The Calligraphy Heritage of the Timurs” is the 10th publication by Afghanistan’s prominent researcher and author Hamidullah Kamgar.
Deniz emphasized that the book serves as an important scholarly resource on the art of calligraphy, offering a valuable foundation for preserving the craft and passing it on to future generations.
Information on the Nastaliq Script
Abdulcelil Tevana, President of the Herat Calligraphers Association, noted that Mir Ali Heravi, the creator of the Nastaliq script, was born and raised in Herat. He added that the book provides detailed information about Hirevi’s works and biography.
Calligrapher Nik Mohammad Mastamand Gori highlighted the book’s significant contributions to previous studies on the art of calligraphy that flourished during the Timurid period, emphasizing its irreplaceable value in the field.
Gratitude and reflections from Kamgar, the author of the book
Kamgar, the author of the book, reflected on the challenges he faced while preparing the work and detailed the research he conducted to gather manuscripts and examples of calligraphy. He expressed gratitude to the many friends, both in Afghanistan and abroad, who supported him throughout the process and thanked TİKA for their contributions to the book’s publication.
Kamgar explained that the Nastaliq script developed during the Timurid period but expressed concern over UNESCO’s recognition of it solely as part of Iran’s cultural heritage. He stressed the importance of raising awareness about Afghanistan’s cultural heritage and emphasized that this book aims to contribute to that effort.
The book “The Calligraphy Heritage of the Timurs” offers in-depth information on calligraphy during the Timurid era, making a significant contribution to the world of art and culture.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has successfully renovated the art studio at Viktorovac Primary School in Sisak, Croatia. As the second-largest educational institution in the region, with 476 students, the school now has an improved facility for artistic activities, thanks to a project implemented by TİKA.
To nurture the artistic talents of students at Viktorovac Primary School, founded in 1952, a student cooperative named “VikSi” (Viktorovac Sisak) was established. Despite operating with minimal resources, the cooperative showcased its excellence by securing first place in a nationwide art competition in Croatia last year.
Growing needs following the 2020 earthquake
The 2020 earthquake significantly increased the challenges faced by Viktorovac Primary School. The growing number of students, including those from neighboring provinces, created difficulties in addressing both social and academic needs. This situation underscored the urgency of enhancing the physical and technical infrastructure of the school’s workshop, which serves as a hub for artistic activities.
Art workshop renovated
As part of a project supported by TİKA, the art workshop at Viktorovac Primary School was fully renovated. The workshop was also equipped with essential tools and materials, including a ceramic kiln, potter’s wheel, clay plate machine, wood carving sets, and various stationery supplies. Through its initiatives in education and social development, TİKA continues to contribute to the progress of the region.
