GROWING AND PROSPERING THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP ECOSYSTEM IN ANKARA TO INCREASE YOUNG EMPLOYMENT TECHNICAL SUPPORT PROJECT

Over 510 University Students and 120 Entrepreneur Teams Have Benefitted From the Entrepreneurship Project

The closing ceremony of the EU funded project that improves the Ankara entrepreneurial eco-system took place on 16 October 2017 with the participation of H.E. Lütfi Elvan, Minister of Development, the EU Delegation Head of Section for Economic and Social Development François Begeot, Governor of Ankara Mr Ercan Topaca, representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Ankara Development Agency, academia, young entrepreneurs and private investors.  

Improving the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Ankara to increase youth employment was the aim of a successfully concluded EU-funded project worth €2,4 million. “TechAnkara Entrepreneurship Centre”, a centre of excellence to support entrepreneurs and start-ups, has been established and furnished. A state of the art entrepreneurship management internet portal is now functional for the benefit of existing and potential entrepreneurs.

The project has, furthermore, mobilised a mentor pool consisting of 145 credible representatives of the private sector to guide new start-ups. Over 510 university students have completed the youth entrepreneurship development programme implemented in partnership with 30 universities and business associations, creating new business ideas.

Last but not least, 120 entrepreneurs have benefited from the Technology Commercialisation Programme, achieving clear commercialisation and investment results. The project has contributed to the emergence of a robust pool of external entrepreneurship trainers, mentors and commercialisation consultants.

Talking about the project, Ambassador Christian Berger said: "Tackling youth unemployment is an utmost priority for the EU in its financial cooperation with Turkey. I congratulate our partners for making this project a success, and hope that all the tools and structures developed under this project, in particular the TechAnkara Entrepreneurship Centre, will be fully utilised for the benefit of Ankara's entrepreneurship ecosystem. I encourage Ankara Development Agency to attract young women and men to fully benefit from the opportunities".