Job Creation and Entrepreneurship Opportunities for Syrians under Temporary Protection and Host Communities in Turkey

Project Overview

This project is implemented in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to strengthen the economic and social resilience of Syrians under Temporary Protection (SuTP) and host communities. On the government side, the overall coordination is ensured by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Affairs DG International Labour Force.

Objectives and Activities

1. Building Skills in Line with Labour Market Needs

• Implementing vocational and labour market skills training;
• Conducting training programmes on public employment services for both public employment service providers and beneficiaries (implemented with IOM);
• Matching and referring apprentices to the apprenticeship system;
• Implementing entrepreneurship training programmes;
• Developing and implementing workplace mentorship programmes.

2. Supporting Job Creation

• Conducting local economic development and value chain analyses; (coverage of work permit fees and social security contributions);
• Providing business advisory services and grants for creation / expansion of enterprises;
• Conducting training on sustainability, productivity and decent work for existing enterprises;
• Facilitating job placement through incentive schemes, public and private employment services and enterprise support.

3. Supporting Labour Market Governance

• Implementing thematic workshops for staff of relevant stakeholders (implemented with IOM);
• Implementing advocacy workshops at provincial level and international level for representatives of employers and workers' organisations (implemented with IOM);
• Implementing training for representatives of the Labour Inspection Board and Social Security Inspection Board.

Target Group

• Syrians under Temporary Protection (SuTP) and host communities with particular emphasis on youth and women
• Governmental institutions at central and provincial levels
• Municipal authorities
• Employers’ and workers’ organizations

Target Provinces

Ankara, Istanbul, Bursa, Konya, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Adana, Mersin, and Hatay

Number of Total Beneficiaries

• 12,600 Syrian refugees
• 4,300 host community members
• 330 staff from relevant governmental institutions
• 500 representatives from social partners (workers’ and employers’ organizations)
• 500 enterprises

About the Project

• Infographic

• Video - Opportunities for Lives Project touched more than 12,000 lives in 5 years

Project News

• Opportunities for Lives Project touched more than 12,000 lives in 5 years
• Infrastructure built through “Opportunities for Lives Project” brought ISO certification and a brand
• Dilek Bağdatlıoğlu, who has created the world’s first vegan disinfectant tested and certified against Corona Virus using the entrepreneur support from ILO, exports to six countries
• Grant Support from ILO to Entrepreneurs in Mersin
• ILO Organises Sustainability and Decent Work Seminars for Syrian Enterprises
• Labour Inspectors receive training of trainers on “Enforcement and Compliance through Labour Inspection”
• Last episode of the training series commences in Şanlıurfa for Employees of the Directorate for Guidance and Inspection
• ILO launches entrepreneurship training
• ILO provides “Training on Public Employment Services and Basic Life Skills” in Hatay
• Experience Sharing Training from the ILO Office for Turkey for Stakeholder Institutions in Turkey
• Training series commences under ILO-MoFLSS cooperation for Employees of the Department of Guidance and Inspection
• Opportunities for Lives Project Officially Launched
• Exciting First Graduation under “Opportunities for Lives” Project