The role of Social assistance and Solidarity Foundations in fight against poverty: The case of Kastamonu province

Today, poverty, which refers to the inability of individuals or families to reach the basic needs they need to continue their lives, directly affects people and the society they live in. This situation is triggered by political, geographical, demographic, and social problems, especially poverty's economic issues. Poverty has become a global problem by crossing the country's borders in the globalizing world. To solve such an important and comprehensive problem, permanent social policies and practices that will eliminate the economic problems at the center of poverty and the factors affecting this problem are of great importance. In this study, the aid activities of the Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundations, which are the closest institutions in reaching the needy individuals in the fight against poverty, were examined in Kastamonu Province. Kastamonu province is in a transitional position between the Central Black Sea region and the West Black Sea region which has a high number of counties, an elderly population, and the rate of immigration. That's why Kastamonu is selected for geographical and demographic reasons. The scope of the study consists of the aid activities given by Kastamonu Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation between 2012-2021. Based on document analysis, this study evaluated the content, distribution, and change over the years of social assistance given between 2012-2021 at the current and accurate price level. It is seen that the increase in the number and scope of aid provided by Kastamonu Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation is important for poor individuals to hold on to social life. On the other hand, it is seen that the amount of aid provided, excluding the "Old Age Pension," has decreased compared to previous years in the evaluations at the level of accurate prices. In order to use the aid more effectively, the amount of aid should be revised every year, taking into account inflation and purchasing power.