Abstract:

The state-based international system has evolved into a multi-actor structure along with globalization. Non-governmental actors and civil society organizations, in addition to their influence in domestic policy, find a sphere of action in foreign policy and are taken into account in the decision-making of foreign policy. The main question of the study is whether civil society organizations have an influence on foreign policy, and in which areas they are effective. The study, based on the increasing influence of civil society organizations in the international field and foreign policy, aims to analyze the role of civil society organizations in the foreign policy of Turkey in particular the Balkans. The framework of the analysis is made up of the concepts of "public diplomacy" and "soft power". In this context, the work consists of three main topics. In the first chapter, the different approaches to the importance of the Balkans in Turkish foreign policy were studied. The second section consists of an assessment of the role of NGOs in foreign policy within the framework of the concepts of public diplomacy and soft power. Finally, in the third part, the influence of the NGOs in the Balkan policy of Turkey was examined. The study is limited to examples of TIKA and YTB that can be described as a civil society organization in terms of its activities.

Keywords: