Objectives of GAP

With its integrated nature, the project is not limited to physical investments such as dams, hydro-electric power plants and irrigation structures, but also includes investments and activities for the development of socio-economic sectors such as agricultural development, industry, urban and rural infrastructure, communication, education, health, culture, tourism and other social services in coordination with each other. GAP has established its own objectives within the framework of the general policy of the state aiming to eliminate the increasingly important interregional inequalities. GAP is in line with the state policy that unlocking the development potential of underdeveloped regions will in itself contribute to national goals such as economic growth, social stability and export promotion. As a matter of fact, an examination of the GAP development objectives clearly reveals this fact.

General Development Goals

• Increase the income level in the GAP Region by improving the economic structure and thus reduce the income disparity between this region and other regions,
• Increase productivity and employment opportunities in rural areas,
• Increase the population absorption capacity of large cities in the region,
• Contribute to national objectives such as economic growth, social stability and export promotion through the effective use of regional resources.

Agricultural Development Goals

Raise the income level in rural areas by increasing agricultural productivity and diversifying farming activities, provide sufficient input to agricultural industries, minimize the tendency of rural population to migrate outward by increasing employment opportunities, contribute to the production of exportable products.

Industrial Development Goals

Improve the image, social welfare and public motivation of the GAP Region by playing the role of a driving force in the economic development of the GAP Region on the one hand and a demand generator for education/training and technological development on the other, contribute to the elimination of inter-regional disparities by expanding high-income employment opportunities, and contribute to the national objectives of export promotion and increasing foreign exchange earnings and savings.

GAP Planning Approach

Aiming to develop the regional economy and increase the income level of the citizens living in the region, GAP is a project that will also make significant contributions to the national economy. GAP has two approaches. The first is the integrated planning approach and the other is the philosophy of sustainable development. These two approaches are complementary to each other. The integrated approach involves addressing different sectors (agriculture, industry, education, health, etc.) together and in coordination. Sustainable development and human development are put forward as an integral part and result of such an approach, and “human” is at the center of all development efforts. In this respect, GAP is not only a project oriented towards economic growth, but also a social transformation project. In parallel with agricultural development, raising the income levels of individuals and differentiating production-consumption relations will affect social development and change that will be reflected in social relations and lifestyle. Therefore, the social dimension of GAP needs to be addressed in a separate focus and social policy objectives need to be developed in this focus. Because in order to direct the change in question, to fill the gaps that will emerge, to meet unmet needs, to ensure the adaptation of individuals to the new economic and social order, to encourage and accelerate change, it is necessary to determine the current situation, to define the potential for change and trends, and to evaluate the needs, demands and problems. For this reason, some social surveys have been conducted in order to determine social policy objectives realistically. These are:

• GAP Region Social Change Trends Survey
• GAP Region Population Movements Survey
• GAP Region Women's Status and Integration into the Development Process Survey
• GAP Region Employment and Resettlement Problems in the Areas to be Under the Lake Mirror of the Dam
• GAP Irrigation Systems Operation-Maintenance and Management Project Socio-Economic Study.

The aim of the projects are, on the one hand, to collect information on the social and cultural structure of the Region, the economic expectations and demographic trends of the people, and on the other hand, to mobilize community participation and to identify ways to reduce the socio-economic level differences between these different segments of society (women, migrants, landless, urban poor, etc.) by ensuring their participation in the development process. In the light of this information, it is to develop concrete action plans and present them to the attention of implementing institutions and organizations. The “GAP Social Action Plan”, developed in the light of the findings of the researches conducted in the social field, has created a main framework for social development in terms of social development policies, strategies, programs and projects to be implemented. The development areas within this framework are addressed under seven topics: organization and participation, population movements and settlement, education, health, agricultural extension, employment, property and land use.

GAP Social Policy Objectives

The basic principles of the “GAP Social Action Plan”, which was prepared with the aim of improving the general situation, accelerating the development process and providing solutions to problems, are as follows:

• Planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation activities carried out for the development of natural and human resources within the framework of GAP will be carried out with the participation of local people.
• Measures will be taken to ensure accessibility to basic resources and increase the efficiency of resources.
• Cooperation will be established with public, local and voluntary organizations and their manpower-other potential (financing, tools, equipment, technical knowledge, etc.) will be utilized.
• Priority will be given to women and young population.