In the Case Studies section:
Success/Failure Case Study No.7
Turkey's Local Government Portal, YerelNet
Case Study Author
Mete Yildiz ( myildiz@indiana.edu )
Application
YerelNet (meaning 'LocalNet' in Turkish) is a Web portal and Web-enabled communication platform for local governments in Turkey.
Application Description
YerelNet forms a virtual mechanism through which Turkish local government officials and academics interested in local government in Turkey can share data and build knowledge. It has also become a forum through which all Turkish local governments can provide online information about themselves. The Web site contains the following data:
- A list of Turkish local governments.
- A list of local government bids and tenders.
- Publications and press coverage on Turkish local government.
- Local election results since 1963.
- Details of Turkish legal developments, and of international developments that are relevant to Turkish local government.
- Basic information on fiscal, personnel and infrastructure problems.
- An electronic discussion forum, and question and answer sections.
Application Purpose
YerelNet was set up because there was no existing online forum through which data about Turkish local government could be shared.
Stakeholders
YerelNet is the brainchild of a local government project being conducted by the Public Administration Institute of Turkey and the Middle East, and the Centre of Local Government Research and Education. It has received extensive support from the Turkish State Planning Organization. The main operational stakeholders are Turkey's local governments, academics, private firms doing business with local government, and citizens.
Impact: Costs and Benefits
The main overt costs incurred are the financial payments for human and technical resources to set up and maintain the Web site. The site holds data from 3,216 municipalities, nearly 35,000 villages and more than 1,000 local government associations. The Web should reduce the costs of coordination and collective action between local government, and should also reduce the cost of information dissemination. However, there are no figures available on this. There are a number of other intended benefits - spreading best practice and standardisation through Turkish local government; encouraging greater transparency and accountability; encouraging citizen involvement in local government; supporting collective action by local government. However, it is too early to provide objective evidence on whether or not these have been achieved.
Evaluation: Failure or Success?
It is too early to evaluate whether or not YerelNet is a success or failure.
Enablers/Critical Success Factors
- Open source software . This was used as the basis for the site. The intention here has been to reduce costs, though three open-source experts have been hired to help with site development.
- Strong subject knowledge and social capital of project developers . The staff and organisations who initiated the project had strong personal and institutional connections with local government; and strong knowledge of local government.
Constraints/Challenges
- Promotional efforts . It has been a challenge to promote awareness and usage of the Web site.
- Financing . It has particularly been an issue to get the money to keep the project operational and content updated.
- Internet access . Levels of access are low in Turkey.
Recommendations
- Produce a critical mass of content . This is vital to long-term success of a portal, and the content must be continuously updated.
- Provide easy access to Web content . The site has no password or fees, which has supported greater access to, and participation in, the Web site.
- Partnerships can help . The fact that a multi-agency partnership was behind this portal has helped it to be successful.
Further Information
Case Details
Author Data Sources/Role : Web Site and Interview; Informal Feedback Role
Outcome : Too Early To Evaluate. Reform : eSociety (building partnerships).
Sector : Social Services (Local Authorities).
Region : Eastern Europe. Start Date : 2001. Submission Date : August 2002