The sudden and violent demographic changes in Şanlıurfa as a result of the displacement of the Syrian population, combined with the challenges of job search, lack of or irregular income, competition for the already limited resources and obstacles to access to basic services such as health and education, have worsened the living conditions of Syrian refugees and Turkish residents in the region alike and increased the risk of social tensions between Syrian refugee and Turkish host communities.
In consortium with RET Germany (INGO), LEAP has been implementing a project targeting Syrian refugees and Turkish women through TVET training courses and awareness courses on GBV and social cohesion.
The project provides Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for women from the refugee and host communities. The vocational training focuses on vegetable and fruit drying based on an innovative and advanced industrial solar drying process that is environmentally friendly and delivers high-quality products.
Almost every household in Şanlıurfa traditionally dries vegetables and fruit in summer. Many women produce dried vegetables and fruits at home and sell their products in small quantities in a limited market. Their production capacity at home is not sufficient to generate a sustainable income and meet their basic needs. Moreover, the drying of traditional vegetables and fruits at home does not meet hygienic standards and is limited to the summer season, while the drying with solar cells that LEAP intends to operate within the project can be done all year round with hygienic methods. In collaboration with the Food Technology Department of Harran University, RET developed a tailored methodology for the TVET training, providing courses on Food Technology, Food Security, Hygiene and Sanitation, and Work Safety for the women participants through interactive training modules.
The project aims to sensitize and empower more than 1000 women amongst Turkish and Syrian/Iraqi refugees and their family members, including male members, through awareness sessions on Gender-based Violence (GBV) and social cohesion. To “Leave No One Behind”, LEAP has been targeting rural districts and villages around Şanlıurfa with #GBV training, namely in Suruç District Sağlık, Mutluca, and Havşanlı in partnership with the Public Education Center and the Governorship of Şanlıurfa.
The women’s products are marketed for (retail and wholesale) through the @leapNatural social media account and via e-mail marketing, face-to-face and virtual meetings with the private sector. Follow @LeapNatural on Instagram and/or check out www.leapnatural.com to support women’s socio-economic empowerment.
This project, implemented between February 2021 and January 2022 is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) – BENGO and implemented in consortium with RET Germany e.V. (INGO, Berlin) and LEAP in Türkiye.
Testimony
RET’s Women’s Socio-Economic Empowerment WSEE Programs aim to empower women to achieve their potential, advance their rights, and realize broader development goals such as economic growth, poverty reduction, health, education, and well-being.
Check out the testimony of Mayada, one of LEAP’s female participants in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Şanlıurfa.
“My name is Mayada, and I have been a refugee in Türkiye for a few years now. I speak Turkish fluently, and I am studying Food Engineering at Harran University. I am about to graduate! Education is essential; additional training is of utmost importance to upskill my technical knowledge and strengthen my career prospects. My family also encouraged me to participate in this training, and I am keen on completing it successfully. All the trainers and participants are like family members. We laugh, share, and learn together by working side by side. We even celebrate our most precious moments together, including personal celebrations!”