Zanzibar’s rich musical heritage is being preserved and promoted through a project implemented by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA). The new international-standard recording studio at the Dhow Countries Music Academy (DCMA) will both safeguard traditional taarab music and provide modern music production training to young people.
Founded in 2002, DCMA is one of the most important institutions representing taarab music, which draws from the musical traditions of Africa, North Africa, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. It is also the only non-profit music school in Zanzibar. To date, the academy has trained more than 1,500 students and plays a key role in passing Zanzibar’s living oral heritage on to future generations.
The studio, established by TİKA, has been equipped with a full professional setup, including a digital sound mixer, professional microphone sets, a sound-insulated booth and dedicated software. This will allow students to gain practical skills in contemporary music production, while the academy records Zanzibar’s cultural memory by digitally preserving works that have never before been recorded.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, TİKA’s Coordinator in Dar es Salaam, Filiz Şahinci, emphasized that the project is more than just an investment in technical infrastructure:
“This studio will provide a safe educational space for children and young people while also serving to preserve and promote taarab music, one of Zanzibar’s most valuable cultural heritages. Our project directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by offering quality educational opportunities for young people, supporting cultural industries, safeguarding intangible heritage and strengthening inter-institutional cooperation. Moreover, taarab music holds a unique place within UNESCO’s framework for the preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Therefore, our project creates lasting value at both the local and global levels.”
The newly established studio will be open not only to DCMA students but also to the Zanzibar Ministry of Culture and other relevant institutions.
With the support of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the “Public Order Risk Analysis Training” was organized for personnel of the Colombian National Police.
The training, conducted in collaboration with TİKA and the Turkish General Directorate of Security, took place in Colombia. Twenty-five police officers from various regions of the country participated in the program, held at the Colombian National Police Academy (ESPOL) campus in the capital, Bogotá.
During the five-day course, police experts from Türkiye provided theoretical and practical training on identifying public order risks, suspect profiling, document control, body language, body searches and vehicle analysis. Participants also gained valuable insights into criminal intervention, distinguishing between the guilty and the innocent and crime prevention.
The closing and certificate ceremony was attended by Beste Pehlivan Sun, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Bogotá; Brigadier General Susana Blanco Romero, representing the Colombian National Police; Merve Zengin, TİKA’s Coordinator in Colombia; and representatives from the security institutions of both countries.
Speaking at the ceremony, Brigadier General Romero said, “Türkiye’s support demonstrates the importance of international cooperation. I express my gratitude for the valuable partnership provided through TİKA.” Ambassador Pehlivan Sun stated that the project contributes to the dissemination of international standards in police practices, adding, “I thank TİKA for its dedicated work in Colombia.”
Zengin, TİKA’s Coordinator in Bogotá, emphasized that the program not only facilitates the transfer of technical knowledge but also fosters the building of lasting bridges of friendship between the two countries. She also announced that 10 Colombian police officers will be invited to Türkiye as a continuation of the training.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of plaques by Turkish and Colombian law enforcement officials.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has contributed to the maintenance and functionality of the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Islamic Cultural Center in Croatia.
TİKA provided support to the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Islamic Cultural Center in Sisak, Croatia.
The center, which was inaugurated on September 8, 2022, with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, serves as an important meeting point for Muslims in the region. Covering approximately 7,000 square meters, including 2,626 square meters of indoor space, the center stands out for its growing number of visitors in Sisak, home to nearly 2,000 Muslims. It offers various facilities such as prayer areas, a conference hall, and a restaurant.
In response to the center’s increasing needs due to its size and frequent use, TİKA provided a lawn mower tractor, indoor and outdoor pressure cleaners, vacuum cleaners, concrete trash bins with ashtrays and a bicycle stand. The equipment was delivered during a program held to mark the third anniversary of the center’s opening.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) supported a project by establishing a ceramic and modeling workshop for children in need of special education in Romania.
TİKA set up the workshop at the Maria Montessori Inclusive Training Center in Constanța, Romania, which serves children requiring special education.
The workshop, established for around 140 students of different age groups, from preparatory class to 10th grade, coming from Constanța and its surroundings, aims to develop two- and three-dimensional imagination, nurture creativity and strengthen students’ perception of their environment.
It will also contribute to the development of children’s hand-eye coordination and motor skills, enable them to express their feelings and thoughts through the works they create, build self-confidence and increase curiosity.
The project is designed to support the physical, emotional and cognitive development of children with disabilities, help integrate them into society as productive individuals and enable them to earn their own livelihoods in the future.
The Travel Document Counterfeiting Training Program, organized in Uganda with the support of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), has been successfully completed.
The five-day Basic Travel Document Counterfeiting Course, held at the Police Senior Command and Staff College in Bwebajja, Uganda, was conducted in cooperation with TİKA, the Turkish General Directorate of Security and the Uganda Police Force. The program concluded with a closing ceremony, where a total of 20 police officers graduated.
The ceremony, attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Kampala, Mehmet Fatih Ak, marked an important step in capacity-building efforts within the Ugandan police force. Fourteen male and six female officers from the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), Forensic Medicine and Border Posts units participated in the training. They received practical instruction on detecting counterfeit travel documents and investigating identity theft cases.
Speaking on behalf of the College Commander, SSP Dr. Edson Muganzi encouraged the graduates to apply their newly acquired expertise in the field and underlined the importance of such capacity-building initiatives for professional development and improving service quality.
The Travel Document Counterfeiting Training Program was successfully completed thanks to TİKA’s collaboration with the Turkish General Directorate of Security and the Uganda Police Force.
The “Journalism for Juniors” program, organized in collaboration with Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) and the Arakan Humanitarian Association, concluded at the Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
A total of 70 students received certificates during the training, held at the TİKA Multi-Purpose Training and Culture Center in Camp 16. During the program, groups of young journalists produced 18 short films, demonstrating the knowledge and skills they had acquired in practice.
As part of the program, participants received intensive, hands-on training on topics such as the fundamental principles of journalism, ethical values, news writing, visual media techniques, mobile filming, mobile video editing and mobile journalism. The courses, conducted by TRT’s expert instructors, aimed to enhance young people’s media knowledge and skills, develop their critical thinking and encourage active participation in the news production process.
The curriculum covered core journalism topics as well as storytelling, creative writing, visual presentation, interviewing techniques, teamwork, presentation and translation skills. Participants also gained skills essential for the digital age, including video shooting and editing with mobile devices, digital storytelling on social media platforms and audience engagement.
The closing ceremony, held at the end of the training, was attended by TİKA’s Program Coordinator in Dhaka, Muhammed Ali Armağan; Deputy Secretary General of the Bangladesh Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, Muhammed Salih Ubeydullah; Camp 16 official, Rintu Vikas Chakma; officials from the field hospital of the Turkish Ministry of Health; as well as invited Rohingya refugees and students. Certificates were presented to participants who successfully completed the training at the conclusion of the ceremony.
The TİKA Multi-Purpose Education and Culture Center, where the training took place, opened in Camp 16 in 2023. The center, which includes a library, a conference hall and a music classroom, continues to host various cultural activities and training sessions. The Burmese-language books provided to the library are a first for the camps. The conference hall accommodates training sessions as well as meetings of civil society organizations and official authorities.
The Cox’s Bazar district, located near the Myanmar border, currently hosts one of the world’s largest refugee populations. Following the violence in Myanmar in 2017, approximately 750,000 Rohingya Muslims sought refuge in Bangladesh. Combined with previous and subsequent migrations, the number of refugees living in the region today has surpassed 1 million. These camps, concentrated in the Ukhiya and Teknaf districts, consist primarily of temporary shelters made of bamboo and tarpaulin. Living conditions in the camps are extremely difficult due to overcrowding, insufficient infrastructure and the risk of natural disasters. Access to clean water, healthcare, education and food security continues to depend heavily on international aid.
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has once again demonstrated Turkey’s role as the conscience of the world by providing substantial medical equipment and supplies to COPE (Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise) Orthotic and Prosthetic Centers in Laos.
State-of-the-art medical devices and equipment produced in Turkey have been delivered to five COPE centers operating in Vientiane, Champasak, Luang Prabang, Savannakhet, and Xiengkhouang. In addition, TİKA has completed comprehensive renovation and furnishing works at the COPE service buildings in Vientiane.
Laos is among the countries most affected by unexploded ordnance due to 270 million cluster bombs dropped during the Secret War between 1964 and 1973. This has impacted thousands of lives, and even today, many Laotians lose limbs due to unexploded bombs. COPE provides free rehabilitation, treatment, and orthotic-prosthetic services to citizens who have lost limbs as a result of unexploded ordnance, birth defects, and accidents.
Since 2021, Turkey has provided various aid and technical support to assist those at risk from unexploded ordnance in their daily lives, workplaces, and schools. In 2021, within the scope of the “Disaster Early Warning and UXO Risk Education” project implemented by the Turkish Embassy in Vientiane in cooperation with UNDP, material deliveries and training programs were conducted in Sibunhuang village in Bolikhamsay province and Thuangse village in the southern Saravan province.
Thanks to TİKA’s support, COPE’s treatment capacity has grown significantly: in 2022, the center treated 720 patients per year; this increased to 1,486 patients in 2023 and 1,572 patients in 2024. The number of orthotic and prosthetic devices provided also more than doubled, from 826 in 2022 to 1,698 in 2023 and 1,807 in 2024.
This support from TİKA is a key step toward strengthening Laos’ healthcare infrastructure and enabling people with disabilities to participate more actively in society.
At the handover ceremony in Vientiane, Deputy Minister of Health of Laos, Aphone Visathep, said:”On behalf of the Ministry of Health, the Rehabilitation Medical Center, and the COPE Project, I am pleased to accept this support. The equipment provided will be used in rehabilitation efforts to deliver free services to disabled individuals nationwide. This project has increased access to high-quality prosthetic and orthotic devices for people with disabilities in Laos PDR.”
Turkish Ambassador to Vientiane, Oya Yazar, added:”Today’s handover demonstrates Turkey’s commitment to the welfare and health progress of the Lao PDR and its people. Turkey implements projects with Lao authorities not only in health but also in education, agriculture, disaster management, infrastructure, UXO and victim support, women empowerment, human resource development, and vocational training. Turkey has always stood by Laos on its development path and remains determined to continue.
In terms of per capita humanitarian aid, Turkey is proud to be the world’s largest and most generous donor. The Ministry of Health of Laos and COPE play a vital role in providing a sustainable future for UXO victims and people with disabilities for various reasons. Through TİKA’s valuable contributions, Turkey is proud to support national victim assistance efforts and to be part of the success story of new lives and hope for the Lao people. Time cannot be reversed, but some damages can be compensated. Today, it is a great pleasure to witness UXO victims and other disabled individuals sustaining their lives, attending school, working, and supporting their families.”
At the ceremony, Dursun Ali Yaşacan, Head of TİKA’s East and South Asia, Pacific, and Latin America Department, said:”Thanks to TİKA’s generous support, all necessary medical devices, equipment, and supplies produced in Turkey have been delivered to COPE’s five centers according to their needs. This contribution enables COPE to operate at international standards and significantly improves the quality of care for approximately 2,000 physically disabled patients each year.
Furthermore, TİKA has completed the renovation and furnishing of COPE service buildings in Vientiane, creating a better environment for both patients and staff. The support provided to COPE centers is a proud example of our commitment to sustainable development and cooperation based on solidarity and shared values.”
COPE Program Manager Metta Thippawong stated:”On behalf of myself and my team, I am very pleased with TİKA’s support in providing modern machinery and renovating the workshops of the COPE Center and its five branches. The modern equipment has allowed us to produce prosthetics much faster. Previously, patients had to wait up to five months for their prosthetic devices, but now they can receive them in about ten days.”
Deputy Director of the Medical Rehabilitation Center, Sybounheuang Sansathit, said:”We are very proud to receive support from Turkey, especially through TİKA, which provided ovens, vacuum devices, and prosthetic-orthotic production equipment.”
COPE service user Onchan Xaeteun said:”I know this hospital because my relatives recommended it to me. I am very happy that it helps disabled people like me. Thanks to this project, I can use a prosthetic device and walk again.”
Phatsanguan, another service user, added:”I am Phatsanguan from Don Village, Paknguem District, Vientiane Capital. I had an accident in 2009 when I was hit by a car, and this project helped me restore my leg. Now, I can go out, play with my friends, and engage in all kinds of activities.”
Add Sisongkham, also a service user, said:”I am Add Sisongkham, 41 years old. I had an accident in 2008 that left me disabled. My leg was amputated, and I thought I would never walk again. When I learned about this program, I was sent to this center, and now I am happy to have a leg and to see that all people with disabilities can move independently.”
As devastating floods continue to affect large parts of Pakistan, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has intensified its emergency relief efforts in Punjab Province, where activities are still ongoing. In the districts of Kasur, Jhang, Bahawalnagar, and Muzaffargarh, TİKA has been distributing hot meals and Family Hygiene Kits to displaced families.
At the same time, health camps organized through the TİKA Mobile Clinic have been serving vulnerable communities in Wazirabad/Sialkot, Kasur, and Multan, providing much-needed medical consultations and free medicines.
Earlier in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), TİKA carried out similar interventions in Buner and Swat districts, where hot meals were distributed to flood-affected households. In addition, the TİKA Mobile Clinic delivered healthcare services in Buner, and Family Hygiene Kits were provided to local families to improve sanitary conditions in temporary shelters.
With its emergency response in both Punjab and KP, TİKA has so far reached a total of 50,000 people with hot meals, hygiene kits, and essential health services. These efforts underscore Türkiye’s solidarity with Pakistan in the face of climate-induced disasters, and TİKA’s commitment to stand with vulnerable communities in times of need.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has been honored with the “Best International Corporate Partner” award at the 2025 BAZNAS Awards, organized by the Indonesian National Zakat Agency (BAZNAS).
At the annual ceremony, TİKA, recognized for Türkiye’s impactful development cooperation projects, received the award in the “Best International Corporate Partner” category.
The award was presented to Prof. Dr. Talip Küçükcan, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Jakarta, during the 2025 BAZNAS National Coordination Meeting held in the capital, Jakarta.
In his remarks, BAZNAS President Prof. Dr. KH. Noor Achmad highlighted the role of zakat volunteers and international partners, stating: “We extend our sincere gratitude to all our partners and BAZNAS leaders across Indonesia. This collaboration is a vital part of our extraordinary zakat efforts.”
Ambassador Prof. Dr. Küçükcan underlined the significance of TİKA’s projects in Indonesia and beyond, saying: “TİKA not only contributes to Türkiye’s humanitarian aid policy but also strengthens the positive perception of our country in Indonesia and enhances the impact of our Embassy through the projects it supports, ranging from education and healthcare to production and economic development.”
Volunteer Turkish doctors performed orthopedic surgeries in Ethiopia as part of a health program organized in partnership with Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and Doctors Worldwide.
In collaboration with TİKA and the Doctors Worldwide Association, a volunteer medical team and specialist doctors from Türkiye held a one-week orthopedic camp in Jigjiga, the capital of Ethiopia’s Somali State, from August 16-23, 2025.
During the program, 34 patients underwent successful orthopedic surgeries that could not have been carried out with existing healthcare facilities. In addition, more than 100 patients received medical examinations. Ethiopian colleagues who worked alongside the Turkish doctors also gained valuable surgical and clinical experience.
Appreciation from the State President
On the final day of the program, Mustafa Mohammed Omer, President of the Somali State of Ethiopia, visited the hospital and met with patients receiving treatment. Omer expressed his gratitude to Türkiye, TİKA, and the Doctors Worldwide Association, emphasizing that the historical and cultural friendship between Türkiye and the Somali State has been further strengthened through such cooperation projects.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has renovated and refurbished the Vocational Training Center of the Lao Women’s Union, with the aim of enhancing women’s professional skills and increasing their participation in the economy.
As part of the project, TİKA renovated the center’s design room and showroom in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, to support the social and economic participation of women and disadvantaged young girls. The renewed space provides a modern environment where women can receive training as well as display and sell their traditional products.
Founded in 1955, the Lao Women’s Union is recognized as the country’s most influential institution for women’s rights and gender equality. The Union supports women, particularly in rural areas, by offering training in sewing, embroidery, weaving, and entrepreneurship, encouraging their greater involvement in social and economic life.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Lao Women’s Union Vice President, Lavan Southisan, said: “Thanks to collaborations like this, our women can generate income for their families and find new markets for their products. We are grateful to Türkiye.”
Türkiye’s Ambassador to Vientiane, Oya Yazar, emphasized the significance of the project, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the Lao Women’s Union, stating: “This project demonstrates Türkiye’s commitment to the well-being of the Lao people and, in particular, the advancement of women.”
Dursun Ali Yaşacan, Head of TİKA’s East and South Asia, Pacific and Latin America Department, underlined the importance of inclusive development: “Development cooperation is most meaningful when it is inclusive and sustainable. Our projects in Laos particularly focus on historically underserved groups.”
In 2023, as part of its collaboration with the Lao Women’s Union, TİKA provided equipment to the State Cotton Enterprise and supplied essential tools to women who completed sewing and embroidery courses, enabling them to start their own businesses. The United Nations highlights that women in Laos, classified as a “Least Developed Country”, face limited access to education and economic opportunities. With this project, TİKA aims to contribute both to women’s empowerment and to Laos’s broader development goals.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has provided greenhouse support to 44 families as part of the “Development of Greenhouse Cultivation in Montenegro Project”, implemented to promote rural development across the country.
Under the project, greenhouses equipped with irrigation systems were installed for families in Rožaje, Plav, Gusinje, Andrijevica, and Bijelo Polje in the north, as well as in Cetinje and Tuzi in the south. This initiative has provided local communities with productive and sustainable agricultural infrastructure, enabling them to grow their own crops and earn a livelihood.
Beneficiaries emphasized that the project generated not only economic benefits but also social ones. The participation of women in production processes has transformed community life and created new income opportunities.
It was also noted that TİKA’s support has encouraged young people in rural areas to remain in their hometowns, helping to slow migration and foster local development.
Since its launch in 2014, the project has supported 214 producers across Montenegro with greenhouse installations, irrigation systems, seed support, and training in greenhouse farming. Greenhouse support has also been extended to seven primary schools, the Children’s Reformatory in Podgorica and Spuž Prison, Montenegro’s largest correctional facility.
