Bülent Özcan

Biography

Having almost 20 years of experience in Project Management and Implementation, I have been working as Acting Director-General for Financial Cooperation and Project Implementation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate for EU Affairs in Turkey since December 2018. Prior to this position, I served as the assistant expert, expert, coordinator and Director within the Ministry.

After having a Bachelor’s Degree in the Department of International Relations at Middle East Technical University in 1999, I completed the Master’s Programme on the European Union Economy at the EU Institute of Marmara University. Last but not least, I attended Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Education Programme in 2011.

I manage projects in the field of capacity building of civil society, improving the legal environment, strengthening public-CSO dialogue, social entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility, volunteerism, civic innovation and strengthening the civil society dialogue between Turkey and EU.

I take the lead for the development of “Civil Society Sector Strategy of Turkey”, which is one of the fundamental sectors within EU Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA) Funding to Turkey and responsible for programming and management of “civil society sector” under IPA Funding.

I give lectures on a part-time basis in the “Project Management” MBA programme in TOBB Economy and Technology University. I have several books and studies on such subjects as “Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance to Turkey”, “EU Grant Programmes and Supports to Civil Society Organisations” and “Project Preparation and Implementation”.

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