Project Outline
To align with Turkey’s strategic vision of enhancing economic competitiveness and bridging regional socio-economic gaps, MoSIT's Regional Competitiveness Operational Programme focused on fostering growth in targeted sectors and regions. The Bingöl Enterprise Development Center (IŞGEM) project was initiated specifically to address socio-economic development challenges in Bingöl, a province in Eastern Anatolia. The project aimed to nurture local entrepreneurs during the critical first five years of their businesses, a phase typically characterized by high financial vulnerability and limited resources.
The Approach
The project was structured around two main pillars:
- Enhancing Service Infrastructure: This included establishing and operationalizing the Bingöl IŞGEM, complete with a five-year business plan informed by best practices and lessons learned from similar centers. The Consultant analyzed comparable cases, engaged key stakeholders, and developed strategic visibility and promotion campaigns to attract target groups. Additionally, service delivery manuals were created to guide the monitoring and evaluation of service quality, ensuring sustainable operational standards.
- Building Technical Capacities: To maximize the impact of Bingöl IŞGEM, the project enhanced the skills and capacities of both the management team and the selected tenants. Business development services were provided to the 22 entrepreneurs chosen to participate in the incubation program, equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate challenges and scale their businesses successfully.
By integrating infrastructure development with targeted technical assistance, Bingöl IŞGEM created a robust ecosystem designed to nurture entrepreneurial innovation and sustainable economic growth.
By empowering local startups and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship, Bingöl IŞGEM paved the way for sustainable socio-economic growth in the region.
The Outcomes and Impact
The successful establishment and operation of Bingöl IŞGEM significantly transformed the province’s entrepreneurial landscape, generating tangible, lasting socio-economic impacts:
- Boost of Local Entrepreneurship: Empowered local startups, particularly women and young entrepreneurs, to overcome financial and technical barriers, promoting a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- Creation of Employment Opportunities: Supported 22 startup ventures, which contributed to job creation and regional economic growth.
- Enhancement of Business Competencies: Provided tailored business development services and continuous capacity-building initiatives, equipping both the management team and tenants with the skills to sustain and grow their enterprises.
By strategically focusing on entrepreneurial support and capacity building, this project not only addressed the immediate needs of Bingöl’s startup ecosystem but also set a sustainable foundation for economic resilience and growth.
