Growing Together with Knowledge
Social Entrepreneurship, Empowerment and Cohesion Project Notes || July 2025
Knowledge enables not only individual development but also social transformation. This month, we grew through trainings, workshops, and shared experiences. The work carried out in different provinces offered new insights into how knowledge and skills impact people's lives.
Knowledge appeared not only in printed form but also intangible, tangible, produced, and narrated forms.
While contributing strategically to the social entrepreneurship ecosystem through published guides and reports, we also nurtured on-the-ground transformation through trainings at new centers.
Like a seed: We are sowing knowledge, growing together.
What Happened in the Field in July?
New Publications, New Perspectives
In July, five different publications prepared under the SEECO Project to develop the social entrepreneurship ecosystem were shared with the public. These resources provide comprehensive information on the social economy, ranging from impact investing to social agriculture, public policies to supply chains.
All publications are accessible through the Project Library on the SEECO website.
Social Heroes Community Meetings Have Begun
The Social Heroes community, which we established to keep the initiatives supported by the SEECO Project and the beneficiary organizations we collaborate with informed about current developments and to strengthen the interaction between them, held its first online meeting.
These meetings provide an opportunity to introduce social entrepreneurs to each other, as well as to hear inspiring stories firsthand and explore them in depth through questions. Our first guest, Deniz Ünver, founder of Coldfusion, shared the establishment process of Coldfusion, a food initiative producing plant-based healthy meals that he founded in Ankara, the value-based relationships he established with local producers, and his approach to sustainability in the food sector with the participants in a sincere conversation.
News from the Centers
Diyarbakır: New City Social Entrepreneurship Center Opened
The New City Social Entrepreneurship Center, established in collaboration with the Diyarbakır Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports, offers six different programs: Robotics Coding, E-commerce-Web Design, Ceramic Leather Bags and Wallets, Sewing and Embroidery, Photography, and Ceramics.
These practical training programs aim to help women and young people develop their professional skills, participate in the workforce, and bring their entrepreneurial ideas to life. The center seeks to contribute to local development by offering opportunities based on digitalization and creativity.
Adana: Sustainable Professional Development for Women and Young People
The center, which includes IT workshops and co-working spaces, was established in collaboration with the Adana Chamber of Industry as part of the “Sustainable Growth Together” project. The aim of the training is to prepare women and youth for the business world by helping them acquire digital skills. The center also offers an inclusive learning environment that encourages entrepreneurship and collaboration.
Adana: Production Continues at the Social Entrepreneurship and Technical Education Center
The SEYTİM Social Entrepreneurship Center continued its training programs in July. Eight women received ready-to-wear clothing training in the textile workshop, while 10 participants learned 3D modeling in the computer workshop. In the glass fusion workshop, design and production-focused work continued with 10 people. These training programs support women in advancing toward establishing their own businesses by enhancing their professional skills.
Adana: R&D and Social Entrepreneurship Center Begins Entrepreneurship Training
In a project run by the Adana Provincial Directorate of National Education, basic entrepreneurship training was provided to female vocational high school students and teachers. Participants were introduced to the concepts of entrepreneurship, inspired by examples of social entrepreneurship, and gained awareness of their own potential.
Çukurova: New Horizons in Wood Manufacturing
A five-day training program for young people was organized in July at a modern workshop established in Çukurova. Participants learned about wood manufacturing processes through hands-on training and were informed about KOSGEB and İŞKUR support programs. The project aims to increase production and employment opportunities for women and young people.
Tarsus: Women Produce Through Aromatic Plant Cultivation
In a course run by the Mersin Tarsus Municipality, nine female participants received practical training in aromatic plant cultivation. The participants actively participated in agricultural production by learning the entire process from planting to harvesting on site.
Kahramanmaraş: New Opportunities for Access to Education and Social Entrepreneurship
The Mehmet Arıkan Social Entrepreneurship Center continues to support young people with LGS and YKS preparation courses. Additionally, participants were introduced to basic concepts through the “Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship” training held at the center.
The “Effective Communication and Interview Techniques” training conducted at the end of the month contributed to preparing young people for the workforce.
Thinking Together, Learning Together
In July, we took many steps to spread knowledge about social entrepreneurship to more people, build skills through field training, and establish inspiring connections.
These steps reminded us that the way to build a better future together is through sharing knowledge, being open to learning, and growing together.
We continue to encourage transformation with knowledge alongside SEECO.