To Fuat Keyman…
In dedication to our Board member, a major supporter of INGEV since its establishment and the beloved mentor of INGEV employees, Prof. Fuat Keyman… Click for the video:
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Model for Impact Measurement and Design for Sustainable Success
The İNGEV Impact Measurement and Design Model stands out as a unique strategic tool that thoroughly analyzes the social change created by social programs. This model ensures that social programs achieve their societal benefit and sustainability goals through comprehensive impact analyses. At İNGEV, we aim to create strong and sustainable impacts by working alongside stakeholders at every stage, from program design to impact measurement, rather than offering only short-term solutions.
The İNGEV Model is based on internationally recognized OECD-DAC criteria, including “Effectiveness, Sustainability, Compatibility, Efficiency, Impact, and Relevance.” It analyzes program impacts in three main categories: Direct, Societal, and Environmental impacts. In addition to these main categories, we assess the Relevance and Sustainability criteria to evaluate how well programs respond to the needs of beneficiaries and other stakeholders and how well the outcomes align with the objectives. This system provides a comprehensive impact analysis of each program’s performance, clearly highlighting areas for improvement.
One of the most striking features of the model is the use of the Social Return on Investment (SROI) principle to measure the value created by social programs in financial terms. SROI offers a financial expression of the transformation of investment into social benefits, allowing us to assess programs’ overall performance from a broader perspective. This approach enables us to present the long-term societal and environmental impacts of programs and their potential return on investment with concrete data.
Finally, we are proud to have completed the Social Impact Analysis of the “Sabancı Republic Mobilization 2023” project in September, one of Turkey’s largest social responsibility movements launched by Sabancı Holding for the 100th anniversary of our Republic. In this analysis conducted using the İNGEV Impact Measurement and Design Model, the changes created by seven different projects led by 13 Sabancı Group affiliates under the coordination of Sabancı Holding were thoroughly evaluated. We are honored to accompany the Sabancı Group on this meaningful journey, as they mobilize all volunteers with the vision of being a pioneer and role model in the field of sustainable living.
The İNGEV Impact Measurement and Design Model enables organizations to carry out more successful, effective, and sustainable social projects. With this model, we aim to maximize social benefit at every step.
Steps for Social Cohesion in Şanlıurfa…
The Bridges “Incubation and Small Grant” Program, carried out by INGEV at the Business Development Center in Şanlıurfa, provides new opportunities for entrepreneurs, helping them achieve success. The program has been offering basic and advanced entrepreneurship training to aspiring entrepreneurs for five years, and as of 2024, 211 people have received Basic Entrepreneurship Training. Of these, 126 completed the Advanced Entrepreneurship Training. By the end of the year, 325 people are expected to complete Basic and 190 people Advanced Entrepreneurship Training.
This program does not simply offer training; it transforms the lives of entrepreneurs. For example, 100 entrepreneurs who completed Advanced Entrepreneurship Training received partial grants to help cover their startup expenses, giving them a strong start.
One inspiring success story is Enver, who came to Turkiye from Syria in 2013 with 25 years of experience in painting and decoration but was unable to work due to a lack of tools and equipment. With the support of the Bridges program by INGEV and DRC, he received business management training and the necessary equipment, enabling him to establish his small business. Today, he is one of the most renowned decorators in Şanlıurfa Siverek, and his work is widely admired.
This project, carried out in partnership with INGEV and DRC, provides crucial support to entrepreneurs not only at the startup stage but also during the critical early phase of their businesses with consulting in accounting, marketing, taxation, and legal matters. By connecting local suppliers and new entrepreneurs, the program continues to transform the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Şanlıurfa.
The Business Development Services within the Bridges IV Project are implemented by INGEV and DRC and are funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the German Development Bank (KfW).
Seeds of Hope in Kahramanmaraş and Hatay: Stories of Resilience from Women Entrepreneurs
Focusing on empowering women economically in earthquake-affected regions, INGEV’s Eleleyiz project continues to be a symbol of hope through its extensive fieldwork in Kahramanmaraş and Hatay. Observations in both cities reveal the determined efforts of women entrepreneurs and small businesses working to revive the local economy despite the devastating effects of the earthquake. While Hatay still bears the scars of the tragedy, Kahramanmaraş has made significant progress in overcoming the disaster’s impact through relentless work over the past 1.5 years.
In this challenging period, local shopkeepers in both cities are working tirelessly in roadside and container markets to keep the economy alive. Regardless of sector or business size, women entrepreneurs stand out as the most resilient figures in this recovery effort. Through the Eleleyiz project, INGEV sheds light on their inspiring stories, highlighting the challenges, resilience, and successes behind their determined efforts. By sharing the stories of two of these remarkable women, we aim to bring you closer to the courage and tenacity that fuels their contributions to the local economy:
- Pumpkin Dessert Producer (Hatay): Specializing in a unique pumpkin dessert prepared in lime water, this entrepreneur sourced pumpkins from local farmers, operated a small factory, and engaged in wholesale trade. Now, she is working to rebuild her business. Despite managing a considerable operation, she lacks financial knowledge and has irregular accounting services. She needs insights into revenue, cost structures, profit margins, pricing, and cash flow. Although she can apply for small grants like those from INGEV, she currently lacks the capacity to provide the necessary documentation for larger loans such as those from KOSGEB.
- Tarhana Producer (Kahramanmaraş): This entrepreneur sourced raw materials from local farmers to produce tarhana and chips for wholesalers, retailers, and consumers. Before the earthquake, they produced 500 kg daily, though current operations are at a reduced capacity. With strong demand, their goal is to double production capacity to pre-earthquake levels, yet they face scaling challenges in all areas of production. Despite running a large operation, they lack basic financial monitoring tools for tracking costs, revenues, profit margins, and cash flow.
Under the guidance of Renan Burduroğlu, these inspiring women entrepreneurs completed business development consulting, developed business plans with the support of the Eleleyiz project, and took concrete steps forward.
Eleleyiz further organized supplier and buyer events in Hatay and Kahramanmaraş across food, textiles, stationery, handicrafts, furniture, and cosmetics sectors, helping women entrepreneurs build new commercial connections. In supply chain meetings with national brands like Migros, g2m, Metro, and Coca-Cola, women entrepreneurs received valuable feedback to help them enter new markets and gained opportunities to expand their market share.
These events, a strong example of local collaboration, were organized in partnership with the Turkiye Local Humanitarian Forum in Hatay and the Kahramanmaraş Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KMTSO) and the TOBB Women Entrepreneurs Board in Kahramanmaraş. They achieved great success with the participation of local actors, serving as an inspiration for future efforts.
In the second half of November, the “Women Entrepreneurs in the Reconstruction Process” Conference will be held in Kahramanmaraş. This unique event brings together organizations like INGEV, KMTSO, SEDEFED, and EYODER to collaborate on impactful projects for women entrepreneurs in the region. The event will gather women entrepreneurs, economic actors, civil society, and academia to discuss the challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the reconstruction process. The aim is to evaluate progress so far and outline target areas for future initiatives.
The evaluations highlight the continued importance of access to finance and grants for women entrepreneurs. Financial literacy, record-keeping, branding capacity, and digital skills also emerge as critical areas for support. Collaboration with local and national actors to utilize resources effectively remains essential.
We hope that the networks of cooperation and solidarity we have established to empower vulnerable groups in earthquake regions will continue to grow hand in hand!
Advancing Human Development Together
INGEV has identified the key points that will enable human development through sustained efforts:
11 PRINCIPLES FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT:
- Development for a Better Life
Development should improve human quality of life. Wealth concentration in a few hands should end. Redistribution should support low-income individuals. - Equal Opportunities
Everyone should have high-quality access to basic services like education and healthcare. Providing equal opportunities among children should be a guiding principle. - Quality Jobs
The workforce should provide everyone with a good life and opportunities for self-improvement. - Responsible Marketing
The promotion of luxury, excessive consumption, and related production should end. - Democracy in Daily Life
People should be able to participate in decisions affecting them, organize, and voice their opinions. Civil society organizations should be supported without political interests. - Inclusive Social Life
Ethnic, religious, sexual, and similar differences should be viewed as a societal asset. Migrants and minorities should be embraced as part of the community. - Gender Equality
Gender equality should guide policies in all areas of life. - Digital Justice
Digital and technological advancements should be an area of fair opportunity, not a source of inequality. - Individual Protection
Effective regulations should protect individuals against global tech companies. - Coexistence
Humanity’s coexistence with all other living beings should be recognized, along with the right and responsibility to combat climate crisis and sustain the environment. - Global and Local Democracy
The guiding principle for governance should be human development. Democratic organizations for global issues, including conflict resolution, should be strengthened.
A Roadmap to Support Women’s Employment
- “While the labor force participation rate for women in Turkiye is 35%, it is 71% for men, creating a major obstacle to economic development.”
- “The lack of caregiving services is one of the biggest factors that hinder women’s participation in the workforce.”
- “Digitalization and green transformation offer critical areas for employment opportunities for women through flexible working options.”
- “The ‘glass ceiling’ effect prevents women from advancing in career and promotion ladders.”
- “Despite the constitutional amendment in 2004, which states ‘Women and men have equal rights,’ gender equality has not been achieved in practice.”
- “Supporting female entrepreneurship is not only a step towards job creation but also a key to economic development.”
Women’s labor force participation in Turkiye continues to lag behind global standards. The ActHuman report “Barriers & Opportunities in Women’s Employment and Workforce: A Guide for Progress,” prepared in partnership between INGEV (Human Development Foundation) and the Istanbul Policy Center (IPC) at Sabancı University, offers a comprehensive roadmap addressing this issue. The report proposes innovative solutions to increase women’s workforce participation and ensure gender equality, providing actionable strategies for the public, private sectors, and civil society.
Vural Çakır: “Empowering Women Economically Will Save Our Future Generations”
INGEV President Vural Çakır emphasized that economically disadvantaged women, confined within four walls and left dependent, are hindered from taking care of their children effectively. Çakır added:
“Economically empowering women is the most effective way to secure the future of our children, like Narin, who was laid to rest in a bridal gown. May she rest in peace. We are committed to doing everything in our power to ensure that girls like Narin grow up as educated, skilled, and economically empowered individuals. Our children will be safer to the extent that their mothers are economically strong, and society supports this.”
Sabancı University Lecturer Dr. Esra Durceylan Kaygusuz: “We Provide Comprehensive and Concrete Suggestions”
Rapporteur Esra Durceylan Kaygusuz noted that the report meticulously analyzes the multi-dimensional barriers affecting women’s labor force participation in Turkiye:
“It is essential that the report, drawing from the insights of civil society, the private sector, and public institutions, approaches the problem from multiple dimensions and establishes a roadmap. All participants agree that the root cause of factors limiting women’s labor force participation is gender inequality. All policy recommendations aimed at increasing women’s presence in the workforce also seek to strengthen women within the family and society. The positive impacts of women’s employment on the welfare and human capital of future generations, especially girls, demonstrate that women’s participation in the workforce benefits not only women but also society as a whole.”
To read the full report, please click here: https://INGEV.org/raporlar/Kadin-Istihdami-ve-Is-Gucu-Ileri-Gitmek-icin-Bir-Kilavuz.pdf (Only in Turkish)
A Guide for Entrepreneurs: INGEV GDM
Launched in July, the INGEV GDM (Livelihoods Support Center) Portal has quickly become a valuable source of knowledge and inspiration for entrepreneurs and SMEs. Since its launch event on July 17, numerous webinars have been organized, offering essential strategies on how entrepreneurs can grow their businesses. Held twice a month on Zoom, these webinars provide innovative perspectives, focusing especially on digital marketing, business management, and sustainable growth.
The webinars cover a wide range of topics, from digital marketing to e-commerce, business strategies to financial sustainability, offering indispensable insights particularly for new entrepreneurs and SMEs aiming for growth. Each webinar allows participants to gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
Some notable webinar topics include:
- Tips for Online Sales and E-Export on Trendyol
- Common Mistakes and Best Practices in Financial Management
- Building a Strong Corporate Identity on LinkedIn
- Growth through Meta Ads: Setup, Targeting, Optimization, and Performance Analysis
- The Impact and Opportunities of Artificial Intelligence in Business
- Achieving Digital Success with Google Ads: Advertising Strategies for SMEs and Entrepreneurs
You can register and watch these webinars for free at https://ingevgdm.org/kayitli-webinarlar (Only in Turkish)
If you are looking to take your business into the digital world, make an impact in the market, or take a step forward in your entrepreneurial journey, there is much to explore at the INGEV GDM Portal. Join the webinars and leverage this guide to take your business to the next level.
Our next webinar is on November 20! The topic is “Tips for More Efficient Trade for SMEs and Entrepreneurs: ChatGPT.” Be sure to visit the website next week to register for the event.
The Essential Mission of Local Governments: Serving Those Left Behind
The “Yerel Etki” (Local Impact) project, launched as a significant initiative in Istanbul in the field of social inclusion, aims to ensure that vulnerable groups benefit more effectively from local government services. Through this project, substantial steps are being taken to enhance social participation and ensure equal access for all segments of society in urban life.
As part of the project, social inclusion idea development workshops have been held across 10 districts in Istanbul, identifying key elements of social inclusion and devising solutions to address the needs of disadvantaged groups in these areas. Local administrators and civil society representatives jointly evaluated the most innovative and effective support models for vulnerable groups.
A dedicated website, https://yereletki.org, (only in Turkish) was created for the project, showcasing 670 organizations offering social inclusion services across Istanbul. Additionally, starting in May, social inclusion training videos will be accessible from this site, reaching a broader audience. Another critical output of the project, the Social Inclusion Guide, will be published in September as a printed and e-book version, guiding local governments in sustainable social inclusion policies.
The next step for the “Yerel Etki” project is the “Resilient Communities and Social Inclusion” event, scheduled for November 14 in collaboration with the Marmara Municipalities Union. This event will serve as a key platform to strengthen the efforts of local governments on social inclusion, facilitating information exchange and the development of new solutions across Istanbul and the Marmara region.
The views expressed here reflect INGEV’s perspective and should not be considered the official stance of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Bridges: Unlocking Entrepreneurial Success in Şanlıurfa
At INGEV’s Business Development Center in Şanlıurfa, the Bridges “Incubation and Small Grants” Program is transforming dreams into thriving businesses. For the past four years, the program has empowered aspiring entrepreneurs with essential training and resources, helping them take the leap from idea to enterprise.
Now in its fifth year, Bridges has already delivered Basic Entrepreneurship Training to 211 individuals since February, with 126 graduates advancing to the next level. By the end of the program, a total of 325 people will have gained foundational entrepreneurial skills, while 190 will have completed Advanced Entrepreneurship Training.
But it doesn’t stop there. The Bridges project provides partial grants to 100 ambitious entrepreneurs, covering their start-up costs and fueling their business journeys.
With ongoing cooperation between INGEV and DRC, entrepreneurs receive expert guidance in accounting, marketing, taxation, and legal consultancy during the critical early stages of their businesses. Plus, Bridges connects them with local suppliers and fellow innovators to foster collaboration and growth.
As it enters its fifth year, Bridges continues to drive progress, offering invaluable support that not only boosts the local economy but also strengthens social cohesion in Şanlıurfa. This is more than just a program – it’s a catalyst for change and opportunity.