All posts by : İNGEV

INGEV has identified the key points that will enable human development through sustained efforts:

11 PRINCIPLES FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Quality Jobs
   The workforce should provide everyone with a good life and opportunities for self-improvement.
4. Responsible Marketing
   The promotion of luxury, excessive consumption, and related production should end.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Gender Equality
   Gender equality should guide policies in all areas of life.
8. Digital Justice
   Digital and technological advancements should be an area of fair opportunity, not a source of inequality.
9. Individual Protection
   Effective regulations should protect individuals against global tech companies.
10. 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.
11. Global and Local Democracy
    The guiding principle for governance should be human development. Democratic organizations for global issues, including conflict resolution, should be strengthened.

• “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)

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.

Hatay still bears the scars of the massive destruction it has endured. Almost all the rubble from the collapsed buildings has been removed from the city, but large empty spaces, sometimes between buildings and along the roads, serve as a stark reminder of the great losses the city has suffered.

In addition, there are still partially damaged buildings that have yet to be demolished, awaiting court decisions regarding demolition orders. These structures stand as silent witnesses to the challenging times the city has gone through. Many container zones, along with the rare tent settlements in the inner neighborhoods, continue to meet the housing needs of the city’s residents.

The Uzun Bazaar, which has long been home to the city’s tradespeople, is slowly returning to commercial life. In addition, many temporary container markets, including one named after this historic bazaar, have sprung up throughout the city. Alongside these, there are also numerous small, individually placed container shops set up by tradespeople who have the means to do so, contributing to the city’s efforts to revive its economy. However, these efforts are still in their early stages.

Despite all the negativity, you can still detect faint glimmers of hope in people’s eyes, mixed with much concern. Though small in comparison to the scale of the challenges, the work of civil society organizations is one reason for this hope. At INGEV’s supply chain meeting in Hatay, these sparks of hope were noticeable. The meeting was the latest step in a project aimed at reviving small businesses owned by women.

Under the leadership of Renan Burduroğlu, women entrepreneurs, who had completed their business development consulting and prepared their business plans, began taking concrete steps with the help of support grants. The supply chain meeting, which included representatives from the food, textile, stationery, handicrafts, and cosmetics sectors, helped to strengthen these efforts. In fact, the women entrepreneurs are not only supporting themselves but also contributing to the strengthening of the regional economy.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the large brands—Migros, g2m, Metro, and Coca-Cola—who have made supporting the recovery efforts a part of their corporate policies and contributed to the success of the supply chain meeting, which was coordinated by Eleleyiz project manager Hande Soğancılar. We also extend our gratitude to the Turkey Local Humanitarian Forum for hosting this important event.

“Our ‘Local Impact’ workshops aimed at improving the conditions of disadvantaged groups in Istanbul continued in collaboration with Esenyurt Municipality. More than 40 representatives from municipalities, NGOs, and universities participated in the workshop, where Mayor Prof. Dr. Ahmet Özer gave an opening speech, emphasizing that Esenyurt is an important laboratory in Turkey and that they will always support such initiatives aimed at improving the situation of disadvantaged groups.

As part of the ‘Local Impact’ project, which we implemented with the support of the MATRA fund, we have held ten social inclusion workshops in the municipalities of Eyüpsultan, Sultanbeyli, Fatih, Sultangazi, Ataşehir, Beşiktaş, Kadıköy, Beykoz, Zeytinburnu, and Esenyurt since March. In these workshops, we focused on three main topics: 1- Identifying the different disadvantaged groups in the districts and determining their basic needs. 2- Exploring the most effective or innovative support that municipalities can provide to these groups and potential improvements in current programs. 3- Enhancing the impact of existing social aid and support programs for these groups and fostering further collaboration with civil society organizations.

DISADVANTAGED GROUPS IN ESENYURT:

➤ Illiterate women, women victims of violence, and NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) women

➤ Low-income groups across 43 different neighborhoods of Esenyurt

➤ Youth unable to access digital platforms and services due to the high cost of the internet

➤ Children in need of special education

➤ Disabled individuals whose disabilities have not yet been identified

➤ Girls and women unable to access education and employment due to societal barriers

➤ Youth addicted to substances as young as 11, and technology-addicted children as young as 3

➤ Migrants working informally and without insurance

ESENYURT’S MAIN FOCUS AREAS:

➺ Identifying the needs of disabled individuals by assessing their disabilities and collecting neighborhood-based data

➺ Increasing the number of women’s shelters for victims of violence (currently, there is only one shelter in a district of 1 million people)

➺ Collaborating between the municipality and internet service providers to ensure everyone in the district has access to digital services and the internet

➺ Focusing more on men’s education while also considering societal conditions to ensure women’s access to employment and girls’ access to education

➺ Establishing more centers with high accessibility for disadvantaged groups, such as neighborhood employment offices and daycare centers, within walking distance of everyone ➺ Officially registering the ‘New Beginnings Youth Center’ in Esenyurt as soon as possible to help prevent substance abuse among youth and adults

➺ Esenyurt hosts 6% of Turkey’s industry and 20% of Istanbul’s industry within its borders, so firms should be encouraged to open daycare centers

➺ Increasing the number of cooperatives in the district (for example, an artisanal silk carpet production cooperative could be established)

➺ Establishing 24-hour childcare centers

➺ Various NGOs and local governments should organize employment projects to combat unemployment.

Despite being the epicenter of the earthquake and suffering massive destruction, Kahramanmaraş proudly showcases its determined efforts over the past 1.5 years to erase the traces of the disaster.

The city’s prominent industrial sector, acting as a driving force in the region, along with the development plans guided by visionary economic actors, and construction activities aligned with these plans, have made Kahramanmaraş one of the fastest-recovering cities among those affected by the earthquake.

A few examples of the efforts to restore normalcy in the city include container shops set up along the roads, shielding construction sites, and allowing commercial activities to continue as before. Women entrepreneurs from various sectors and businesses, including retailers and manufacturers, stand out for their resolute efforts in this recovery process.

The Eleleyiz project, aiming to strengthen these efforts with new commercial connections following various capacity-building activities, supported them once again by organizing a supplier-buyer event in Kahramanmaraş.

We would like to extend our gratitude to the Kahramanmaraş Chamber of Commerce and Industry and TOBB Women Entrepreneurs Council for their limitless support in providing the venue, logistics, and local suppliers and entrepreneurs from the very beginning of the event’s planning process. Special thanks to Mr. Yunus Atmalı, Secretary General, and Mr. Fehmi Çakıroğlu, Deputy Secretary General, who have dedicated themselves to shaping the city’s economic development efforts with an innovative vision, and to Ms. Betül Zabun Kenger, President of the Women Entrepreneurs Council.

We also express our thanks to Gökhan Çopuroğlu from Migros, Muhammed Mavibaş from g2m, and Okan Aktuğ from Coca-Cola Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office, for not leaving us alone at this event and sharing their knowledge and insights with our entrepreneurs from both supply and purchasing perspectives. We hope that the collaboration and solidarity networks we have established for the economic empowerment of vulnerable groups in the earthquake region continue to grow hand in hand!

Kahramanmaraş, the epicenter of the earthquake, proudly showcases its determined efforts to erase the traces of the disaster, despite the massive destruction it endured. 

The city’s industrial sector, which plays a key role in the region, and the development plans led by the city’s visionary economic actors, along with construction activities aligned with these plans, have made Kahramanmaraş one of the fastest-recovering cities among the earthquake-affected areas. In the city center, container shops lining the roads, hiding the ongoing construction works, have been one of the key practices in restoring the city’s normal rhythm and enabling commercial activities to continue as before.

Among those leading this recovery effort are women entrepreneurs from every sector and scale, from small business owners to manufacturers, who stand out with their resilient efforts. The Eleleyiz project, aimed at strengthening their efforts with new business connections following numerous capacity-building activities, was once again by their side, this time with a supplier-buyer event held in Kahramanmaraş. 

We would like to express our gratitude to the Kahramanmaraş Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KATSO) and the TOBB Women Entrepreneurs Board (KGK), who have provided endless support from the beginning of the organization process in terms of venue, logistics, and involving local suppliers and entrepreneurs in the event. Special thanks go to Mr. Yunus Atmalı, Secretary General, and Mr. Fehmi Çakıroğlu, Deputy Secretary General, who have taken on the mission of shaping the city’s economic development efforts with their innovative vision, and to Ms. Betül Zabun Kenger, KGK Chairwoman.

We would also like to thank Migros, G2M, and the Coca Cola Eastern Mediterranean Regional Directorate representatives Mr. Gökhan Çopuroğlu, Mr. Muhammed Mavibaş, and Mr. Okan Aktuğ for not leaving us alone at this event and sharing their knowledge and insights with our entrepreneurs from both supply and procurement perspectives.

We hope that the collaboration and solidarity networks we have established for the economic empowerment of vulnerable groups in the earthquake region will continue to grow hand in hand!

“Our ‘Local Impact’ workshops continued in collaboration with the Zeytinburnu Municipality.

As part of the ‘Local Impact’ project, which we have implemented with the support of the Netherlands Embassy MATRA Fund, we have conducted nine social inclusion workshops since March in the municipalities of Eyüpsultan, Sultanbeyli, Fatih, Sultangazi, Ataşehir, Beşiktaş, Kadıköy, Beykoz, and Zeytinburnu. These workshops focused on three main topics:

1. Identifying different needs groups in the districts and determining their basic needs.
2. Providing the most effective or innovative support that the municipality can offer to these groups and making improvements to existing programs.
3. Enhancing the impact of current social assistance and support programs for these groups and further developing cooperation with non-governmental organizations.

DISADVANTAGED GROUPS IN ZEYTINBURNU MUNICIPALITY:

• Individuals aged 65+ who cannot access health services, living alone or as couples. 
• Women and mothers with children who face discrimination in the workforce and education (including cases where women solely take on parenting responsibilities). 
• Children from low-income families who experience peer bullying and lack access to education. 
• Young people and their families affected by technology and substance addiction. 
• Immigrants and refugees facing language barriers. 
• Individuals facing food and housing insecurity.
• Disabled individuals who cannot access health, education, and employment. 
• Former convicts who want to adapt to social life.

MAIN FOCUS POINTS IN ZEYTINBURNU

• An inventory of individuals aged 65+ should be created, and community centers and day care homes for this age group should be established.
• Women’s shelters for victims of violence, as well as child development centers to support the development of children, should be established. Additionally, the number of daycare centers within the boundaries of Zeytinburnu should be increased to include women in employment and the workforce. 
• Social workers, rather than guidance counselors, should take responsibility for improving the situation of children who experience peer bullying. 
• The problem of unskilled male and female candidates and unskilled women at home should be solved through training tailored to the needs of the workforce to reduce social exclusion. Additionally, for low-income groups, vocational courses should be organized in collaboration with the Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR) to train intermediate-level technicians. 
• Candidates who do not attend interviews at the municipal career planning centers and reject jobs should be immediately eliminated from the system, allowing more valuable candidates to stand out. 
• Localizing data with neighborhood-based mapping and establishing institutional memory within the municipality through data collection. 
• Expanding Turkish language courses for the integration of migrant and refugee children into society and ensuring their access to education. 
• Removing prejudices against former convicts who have served their sentences, been rehabilitated, and are ready to adapt to the workforce and social life.

Our workshops will continue in collaboration with other district municipalities in Istanbul in the coming weeks.