The launch meeting for the ELEVATE Project, which aims to empower women entrepreneurs who lost their businesses, production areas, and market networks in the digital world following the earthquakes of February 6, 2023, was held today in Hall A1 of the Medrese Building at the Mustafapaşa Campus of Cappadocia University.
The project, implemented with financial support from the British Council, is coordinated by Cappadocia University and the University of Wolverhampton; and is carried out in collaboration with Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay Metropolitan Municipality, Tech West Midlands, and the Antiokhia Women’s Cooperative.
The meeting was attended by Cappadocia University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. İlhan Öztürk, Cappadocia University Social and Strategic Studies Application and Research Center Director Assoc. Dr. Halil Burak Sakal, ELEVATE Project Coordinator Prof. Dr. Roya Rahimi from the University of Wolverhampton, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Rector’s Advisor Prof. Dr. Özlem Özdemir, and Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Ayşe Yavuz Kocaman, along with Hatay Mustafa Kemal University faculty members and project trainers Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kadriye Şahin and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sonyel Oflazoğlu Dora, participated in the program.
The program introduced the comprehensive project process, which aims to empower women entrepreneurs affected by the earthquakes not only economically but also socially and digitally. It was stated that participants would receive training in areas such as social media management, e-commerce infrastructure setup, digital marketing strategies, online sales techniques, safe digital usage, and basic financial literacy. It was emphasized that the training content was created using scientific methods based on real-world needs and would be supported by mentoring, workshops, and experience sharing.
Speeches highlighted that increasing the digital visibility of women entrepreneurs, strengthening their branding processes, and contributing to their access to new markets are among the project’s main objectives. It was stated that the ELEVATE Project offers a strong model supporting women’s reintegration into economic and social life during the post-earthquake recovery period, strengthens the culture of solidarity, and contributes to regional development.
The introductory meeting, hosted by Cappadocia University, was considered an important step in sustainably supporting women’s productive power and contributing to the region’s reconstruction process.
