8 December 2010 - PRESS RELEASE - Ecorys is going to assist the Turkish government in strengthening the economy of underdeveloped regions. To this end, Ecorys recently won an EU issued tender with a value of app. € 6 million.

Strengthening the competitiveness of Turkish regions is part of the preparation process towards Turkey’s accession to the EU and is financed though IPA. IPA stands for “Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance” and is an EU programme that supports countries that aim to join the EU. They are supported through means of financing and advice. The IPA in Turkey is focuses on five themes: institutional strengthening, cooperation border regions, human resources, rural development and competitiveness of the regions. The support provided by Ecorys is aimed at the last of these five themes, where Ecorys will be particularly active in developing the knowledge, capacity, and instruments, necessary for the management and spending of the IPA funds. Furthermore, Ecorys will help the regions in Turkey with the development of projects with EU funds. Ecorys has extensive expertise in the field of  institutional and capacity development in relation to regional development and project preparation. Currently, Ecorys implements similar projects in a.o. Serbia, Kosovo and Albania.

The assignment will start in December 2010 and is expected to run fora pp. 32 months. Ecorys will lead an international consortium with companies and experts from Turkey, Ireland and Hungary.

For more information:

Atze Verkennis
T +31 10 453 87 79
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