What challenges do vulnerable agricultural communities face in accessing rural social protection, and how can social security be extended to those not covered by the system? This was the critical question a group of experts sought to answer at a virtual workshop held on 5 May. The online event, coordinated by FAO and Ankara University, emphasized the importance of expanding the social security net to include people in dire need, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than 180 participants attended  from FAO, the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey, European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ankara University, and the Ankara University Development Studies Research and Application Centre.

The discussion launched a national dialogue among key partners and actors in rural and social protection sectors, to create inclusive policies and programmes to support the social protection of vulnerable rural groups. The dialogue feeds into FAO Turkey’s efforts under the Syrian Refugee Response Plan and aims to better link the national and local governments with European Union and non-governmental organizations, for building organizational capacities to cover more social security schemes.