Local authorities access to the project-based funds: A case study on metropolitan municipalities in Turkey

Through the globalization process, numerous changes and transformation have been introduced in the area of public administration. The integration process of societies with rest of the world requires a series of reforms in conventional state structures. The foundation of the unitary state existing in Turkey is constituted by the central administration. Beside the central administration, presence of local authorities can be mentioned in terms of provision of local services as well. As parallel to the global developments, the central government in Turkey has handed over its privileges to the local authorities one by one. At this point, diversity in the services offered by the local authorities has increased which was resulted in financial problems. As the new concepts which local authorities are in relationship recently were investigated; and activities of the international organizations which operate by focusing on local authorities and their supports for local authorities in Turkey were tried to be explained in this present study. Firstly, globalization and its effect on local authorities within the conceptual framework were examined in this study. Then, international organizations which provide funds to local authorities and financial resources from which local authorities can take advantage of were explained. Finally, relationship of the metropolitan municipalities in Turkey, which constitute the most effective local authorities, with project-based financial resources was analyzed by means of inquiry.