Entrepreneurship support gained momentum despite the Pandemic in the last quarter thanks to the support of UNDP and other program partners.

INGEV has witnessed a particular increase in work permit issuance, reaching 600 applications. INGEV has also managed to facilitate establishment of 14 new companies.

Within the scope of the project, 76 entrepreneurs have opened their companies so far, 28 of which registered Limited Liability Companies with a total capital of TRY 3.065.000.

INGEV consultants supported more than 100 entrepreneurs by focusing especially on digitalization as remote work, online sales and marketing became essential for Syrian SMEs during the pandemic. Additionally, a new Project in cooperation with UNDP has been launched in September 20’ that will aim to provide comprehensive support to Syrian SMEs in Turkey including digital infrastructure and cash grants, digitalization trainings and hands-on digital marketing support.

INGEV designed and carried out a research to gauge the level of social cohesion in Mardin. Mardin has hosted communities from different religions, languages, and cultures throughout history. As such, the fabric and multi-culturalism of the city contributes to higher social cohesion between local people and refugees. Social cohesion between the host and refugee communities was investigated with respect to various aspects of cohesion such as personal distress variables, and intergroup contact variables. The data collection involved face-to-face interviews with the host community and refugees and in-depth interviews with key informants such as representatives from NGOs and public institutions in Mardin. The research provided recommendations on strategies to further strengthen social integration and cohesion in the city. The findings can also serve as a model for social cohesion activities to be held in other regions around Turkey and world in general.

“Strong Cooperatives for Social Solidarity Economy”, was the 3rd topic of ActHuman joint initiative between INGEV & IPM. Beginning with the advisory board meeting held on August 26. Representatives from the general public, municipalities, production and consumption cooperatives, universities, international organizations and non-governmental organizations attended the meeting. The main discussions of the board revolved around increasing the share of cooperatives for value chains in their fields of activity and improving their financial systems along with administrative management capacities, to increase their efficiency. A workshop was also held on October 15 for further comprehensive discussion of a new vision, financial empowerment, public opinion, supportive legislation, social economy network, sustainable ecosystem and a more active value chain. Social policy recommendations report on “Strong Cooperatives for Social Solidarity Economy” will be published and disseminated on December 2020.

INGEV High Council actively initiated strengthening the vision and corporate identity of the NGO to support its development and management. The High Council consists of the following names:

Arda Batu, TURKONFED Secretary General and Board Member; Berrak Kutsoy, Consultant to ESAS Holding Board Chairman and to TOBB Young Entrepreneurs Board; Tal Garih, Strategic Planning Manager of ALARKO Group of Companies; Prof. Dr. Fuat Keyman, Vice-Rector of Sabancı University and Director of Istanbul Policy Center; Prof. Dr. Melsa Ararat, Sabancı Business School Corporate Governance Forum Director and UN Global Compact Turkey Network Board Member; Prof. Dr. Halil Nalçaoğlu, Dean of Istanbul Bilgi University Communication Faculty; and INGEV Board Member Renan Burduroğlu and INGEV Chairman Vural Çakır.

High Council will review Global and local trends of human development, develop strategies to be implemented and advise to the operational management.