UNDP launches Business Support Program for Earthquake-Hit Turkish Provinces

This initiative aims to provide support to businesses and entrepreneurs owned by women and people with disabilities, employing up to 10 people, in the provinces most affected by the earthquake, through grants and shared spaces. In this way, it is aimed to support inclusive economic life and development in the region by increasing the business continuity and economic resilience of businesses.

Priority Sectors

• Innovative and high-tech products
• Machinery and equipment manufacturing and repair
• Orthosis and prosthesis manufacturing or repair
• Rehabilitation services
• Textiles and apparel
• Agriculture and food production
• Furniture and footwear production
• Cosmetics and soap production
• Local crafts and artisanal products, particularly those at risk of extinction.

Funding Categories

• The program will provide financial support in two specific categories to improve livelihoods.
  • The first category is to support small businesses in these provinces owned by women and individuals with disabilities, women artisans and artisans with disabilities through grants, while the second category is to create common use facilities for small-scale producers.
  • The second category is to create common use facilities for small-scale producers.

Funding Information

• The amount of support in the first category to be given to small businesses and artisans will be between a minimum of 50,000 TL and a maximum of 200,000 TL.
• The amount of support in the second category to be given to chambers to create a common use facility or common workspace will be between a minimum of 500,000 TL and a maximum of 7,000,000 TL.
• Project Duration: Projects must be designed for a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 12 months. All projects must be planned to start on March 1, 2025 at the earliest and to be completed by February 28, 2026 at the latest.

Geographical Focus

• Earthquake-hit provinces of Adıyaman, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş and Malatya.

Eligibility Criteria

• For Category 1:
  • The business owner who will apply to the program must be a woman or a disabled person. In partnership businesses, at least two partners must be women or at least one of the partners must be a disabled person.
  • The businesses of employers who will apply to the program must have been established before 30.09.2024 .
  • The businesses of female and/or 40% and above disabled individuals with a medical report must be operating in the provinces of Adıyaman, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş or Malatya.
  • Applications from businesses that continue/will continue their commercial activities as of the application date for the program will be evaluated.
  • Women or disabled employers and entrepreneurs who will receive support under the program must be registered with the relevant Chamber of Commerce and Industry or Chamber of Tradesmen and Craftsmen or Relevant Professional Chamber, depending on the nature of the business. Craftsmen who are not registered must specify this situation in the application form.
  • Employers who will receive support under the project must employ at least 1 (including themselves) and at most 10 registered individuals.
  • If a female/disabled employer has more than one workplace, they can only apply for one workplace.
• For Category 2;
  • Unions of Chambers of Tradesmen and Craftsmen and Professional Chambers related to priority sectors can apply to the program.
  • Unions of Chambers of Tradesmen and Craftsmen and Professional Chambers related to priority sectors should be operating in Adıyaman, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş and Malatya.
  • Each union/chamber can submit only one application.
  • The common use area must be within the scope of duty and authority of the applicant institution/organization.
  • Applicants must have the authority to open a project account in their own name, transfer money from this account and spend it.

For more information, visit UNDP.