Women’s cooperatives and women entrepreneurs acquire knowledge and skills they need to grow and strengthen their enterprises

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Industry and Technology General Directorate of Development Agencies continue to provide consultancy and mentoring support to women’s cooperatives and women entrepreneurs, under the Business to Social Cohesion initiative funded by the Government of Japan.

The initial action of the project took off with the “Business Development Bootcamp” held on 13-24 December 2021 to increase women’s access to the labour market through entrepreneurship. Bootcamps were attended by 104 women entrepreneurs and members of women’s cooperatives in Hatay, Izmir and Kayseri who received four days of face-to-face training, and then six days of online training and consultancy support. The events offered participants opportunities to learn factors that affect business strategies, operations, clients and key partners, and receive consultancy for developing and implementing business plans.

22 entrepreneurs and 18 women's cooperatives selected after the training camp continue to receive need-based business consultancy support in order to expand their businesses. The support focuses on product cost analysis and pricing, marketing, branding, e-commerce and digital marketing, and social media.

Also, as part of the initiative, 40 women’s cooperatives receive need-based business consultancy support to increase their resilience, alleviate the adverse impacts of COVID-19 pandemic, grow their businesses and develop better sales channels. The support started after the extensive studies on needs analysis and assessment for grant and consultancy services.

After the consultancy services, cooperatives and entrepreneurs will receive in-kind support for their needs.

In addition, there are initiatives to develop, through supply chains, the commercialization processes and sales channels of the supported cooperatives and entrepreneurs. An inventory study is also being conducted for commercializing and promotion of local products. To that end, a website that publicizes traditional and local products and refers potential buyers to manufacturers will be developed.

Designed to alleviate the adverse and destructive impact of COVID-19 on enterprises operated by women, the initiative aims to increase women’s participation in social and economic life and promote their self-reliance through enhancing the business and job capacities of women entrepreneurs and women’s cooperatives. Accordingly, activities continue unabatedly to empower them so that they can cope with the impacts of the pandemic, grow and strengthen their enterprises.