MLSA - Thee Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) hosted a workshop titled “Audit Preparation and Capacity Building for NGOs” on Friday, May 30, at the TGS Academy in Istanbul, with the support of the TGS (Journalists’ Union of Turkey). The event brought together representatives from various civil society organizations (NGOs) to share detailed information on legal compliance, audit procedures, and accounting obligations.
The full-day program opened with a session led by Kerem Dikmen, Legal Coordinator at the LGBTQ+ rights organization KAOS GL. Dikmen provided participants with an overview of association regulations and the legal responsibilities of NGOs operating in Turkey. In the second session, accountant Deniz Can Akgün and financial advisor Samet Güçlü guided attendees through bookkeeping processes, audit procedures, and obligations related to Turkey's Social Security Institution (SGK). The session offered practical insights into what records are audited, when, and how.
The workshop also included discussions on organizational setup, branch and representation office procedures, membership structures, donations and membership fee transactions, and mandatory notification requirements. These topics were addressed through practical examples, helping participants navigate bureaucratic requirements more effectively.
The event concluded with a Q&A session, during which participants discussed specific challenges faced by their organizations and received feedback from the trainers.
To support broader participation, travel and accommodation expenses were covered for those attending from outside the city. MLSA also announced that select NGOs would be offered free audit simulation support following the workshop.
