From March 23rd to 25th, 2025, Istanbul, Türkiye, hosted the kick-off meeting for the Civil Society Strengthened by Information and Data Security project. This meeting brought together key partners to establish the groundwork for a collaborative initiative focused on enhancing data security practices within civil society organizations.
The meeting began with an opening session, featuring welcome speeches and introductory activities aimed at fostering a collaborative atmosphere. This was followed by a general project presentation, outlining the objectives, expected outcomes, and target impact of the initiative.
Partners then introduced themselves and clarified their respective roles within the project. The discussion proceeded with a detailed breakdown of work packages, ensuring that each partner understood their responsibilities and the task distribution framework.
A critical session on budget planning and financial management provided guidance on financial processes and reporting systems. Before concluding the morning session, partners shared initial feedback and reflections to ensure alignment on the project’s direction.
After a networking lunch break, the afternoon session resumed with discussions on internal communication tools such as Slack and Google Drive, aiming to streamline collaboration among partners. The conversation then shifted to risk management, where potential project risks were identified, and joint mitigation strategies were established.
The next segment focused on the visibility, dissemination, and impact strategies, ensuring that the project reaches its intended audience and achieves meaningful engagement. A subsequent evaluation of Learning, Teaching, and Training (LTT) activities helped assess content feasibility and effectiveness.
The final stages of the meeting were dedicated to the project activity schedule, ensuring a structured and efficient rollout of planned initiatives. Additionally, discussions on monitoring and evaluation reinforced the commitment to tracking progress and impact measurement.
The Istanbul kick-off meeting successfully set the foundation for the Civil Society Strengthened by Information and Data Security project. With a clear roadmap, strong communication channels, and an engaged team, the project is well-positioned to empower civil society organizations in implementing robust data security measures.
As the next steps unfold, partners will continue working on their designated tasks, ensuring effective implementation and impact-driven results. Stay tuned for further updates as the project progresses!