Contracts Signed for Three SOGEP and SOGEP-Anadoludakiler Projects to be Implemented in Bursa
Under the coordination of the Ministry of Industry and Technology’s General Directorate of Development Agencies, contracts were signed for three projects in Bursa supported by the 2024 Social Development Support Program (SOGEP) and the 2024 SOGEP-Anadoludakiler Program, carried out under the auspices of First Lady Mrs. Emine Erdoğan.
The signing ceremony took place at the Bursa Governor’s Office with the participation of Bursa Governor and Chairman of BEBKA’s Board of Directors Mr. Erol Ayyıldız, Acting Secretary General of BEBKA Mr. Sabri Bayram, project applicants Yıldırım Mayor Mr. Oktay Yılmaz, İznik Mayor Mr. Kağan Mehmet Usta, and Vice President of the Green Crescent (Yeşilay) Board of Directors Dr. Mehmet Güllüoğlu. At the event, contracts were signed for the projects:
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“Cooperative Development Center”
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“Digital Transformation through Traditional Crafts in İznik”
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“Discover Yourself, Embrace Change”
A New Center in Bursa to Empower Women’s Cooperatives and Promote Sustainable Employment
Among the projects supported under SOGEP, the “Cooperative Development Center” aims to empower women’s cooperatives in Bursa and support their participation in sustainable employment. The project will establish a new center offering mentorship, training in digital marketing and e-commerce, and workshops in product photography and catalog design. Educational and consultancy services will be provided. In addition, traditional handicrafts and elements of cultural heritage in rural neighborhoods will be documented and preserved. A display area will also be established to showcase women’s products and support female entrepreneurship.
A New Step in the Fight Against Addiction: Vocational Training at the Bursa Green Crescent Rehabilitation Center
Another project supported under SOGEP, “Discover Yourself, Embrace Change”, will provide vocational training to individuals undergoing addiction treatment at the Bursa Green Crescent Rehabilitation Center, facilitating their integration into the labor force. Workshops will be established in textile, mechanical-electrical maintenance, and barbering. Clients will receive vocational education, hobby workshops, job readiness training, and occupational health and safety programs. Those who complete their training will be guided toward employment, and awareness-raising activities will be held for potential employers. The project ultimately aims to develop a sustainable employment model for individuals recovering from addiction, offering a new roadmap in the fight against substance abuse.
Traditional Crafts Meet Digital Transformation in İznik
Supported under the SOGEP-Anadoludakiler program, the “Digital Transformation through Traditional Crafts in İznik” project aims to enhance the economic independence of women producers in İznik’s urban and rural areas, while preserving traditional crafts and integrating them into e-commerce and digital transformation processes. The project will establish weaving and sewing workshops and provide the women’s cooperative with training and consultancy in corporate identity, branding, digital marketing, and e-commerce. Traditional arts such as Derbent Weaving and Müşküle Needle Lace will be preserved, documented, and passed on to future generations.
Through a dedicated website and social media channels, handcrafted products will be marketed digitally. A sales office will be established, and with the support of the Bursa Institute of Maturation, new product catalogs, exhibitions, and fashion shows will be organized. This will open up new markets and expand the reach of traditional crafts to wider audiences.
Following the signing ceremony, Governor Mr. Erol Ayyıldız expressed his best wishes for the success of the projects and extended his gratitude to everyone involved in their preparation and implementation. BEBKA will continue to support projects in collaboration with its stakeholders to advance local development efforts across the region.
