UN Joint Programme on Harnessing Sustainable Linkages for the SMEs In Turkey's Textile Sector

With the aim of enhancing international competitiveness of SMEs and promoting decent work in textile and clothing sector of Turkey, UNDP, UNIDO and ILO in cooperation with İTKİB (İstanbul Textile and Apparel Exporters Association) has launched a Joint Programme (JP) on "Harnessing Sustainable Linkages for the SMEs in Turkey's Textile Sector".

The Joint Programme financed by the Millennium Development Goals Achievement Fund established by Spanish Government will be implemented in Malatya, Adıyaman, Gaziantep and Kahramanmaraş until 2012. The aim of the JP is to increase the global competitiveness of SMEs in Turkey’s textile sector in less developed regions, help them integrate into national and global value chains, and create more and decent employment opportunities for women and men.

The overall objective of the JP is to enable the local business community to reach a state of “responsible competitiveness” and “decent work environment”, involving both upgrading the productivity and market access of firms in less developed regions, as well as benefiting local disadvantaged communities and populations, especially women. The outcomes are therefore the following:

SMEs in textile and apparel sector from less developed areas of Turkey are equipped with knowledge and tools to integrate into national and international value chains through capacity building efforts on clustering, business linkage development and effective use of ICTs; as well as through activation of an innovative ICT based Value Chain Management Platform (VCMP).

A wider application of sustainable development, CSR principles, labour standards and gender equality amongst textile and apparel companies in targeted provinces is promoted.

Within the framework of Joint Programme, ILO will carry out sector assessments and sector specific awareness raising activities to promote application of principles of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ILO’s international labour standards. In this respect, three different training programmes will be organized in close cooperation with ILO Constituents:

Training for core project staff on ILO’s CSR principles and international labour standards: The main objective of this training is to develop a common understanding on the interrelated concepts of CSR, labour standards, sustainable development, gender and environment in line with ILO’s perspective on CSR.

Training of trainers programme (ToT): Through ToT programme, the capacity of local experts and institutions in promoting the application of core labour standards in the framework of CSR policies and practices will be strengthened.

Training seminars for workers, managers and local experts on CSR and decent working conditions: Awareness and capacity building strategy will be implemented and intensive training programmes targeting 750 workers and 100 employers as well as 50 local experts will be undertaken.

To access more information about UN Joint Programme, please visit: http://www.mdgf-tr.org/tekstil/v2/p/en/home.php?lang=EN