Enhanced resilience through increased economic opportunities for Syrian refugees and host communities

The project in brief

Implemented by

EU and Foreign Relations, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

Country

Turkey

Duration

March 2017 – December 2017

Description

The project provided vocational training in the agricultural sector to 900 people from both Syrian and host communities (70 per cent Syrian refugees and 30 per cent from host communities, with an overall 30 per cent average of women) providing them with sustainable employment opportunities in five provinces: Şanlıurfa, Gaziantep, Adana, Mersin and Isparta.

Project aims

To develop vocational skills of both Syrian refugee and host communities

Resources used

The project was implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in close cooperation with the Ministry of Family and Labour and Social Services, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Interior Directorate General for Migration Management and UNHCR.

The project was funded by the European Union and the Republic of Turkey with a budget of 1,720,000 USD.

Main activities of the Good Practice 

According to the selection criteria established together with FAO (age, education, experience, vulnerability, number of children, ambition to work, etc.), 900 beneficiaries were selected and received vocational training as follows:

• 230 people were trained in the production of pistachios, olives, cotton and greenhouse vegetables as well as on irrigation management by Şanlıurfa Provincial Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
• 150 people were trained in cattle care and herd management by Şanlıurfa Cattle Breeders Association.
• 150 people were trained in citrus harvesting and packaging in Mersin and Adana by the Mediterranean Fresh Fruit - Vegetable Businessmen Association (AYMED).
• 35 people were trained in apple cultivation by the Western Mediterranean Economy Development Foundation (BAGEV).
• 185 people were trained in food processing and packaging by the Gaziantep Chamber of Industry.
• 150 people were trained in production and processing of grapes, pistachios, peppers, olives and pomegranates by Gaziantep Provincial Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Job fairs were organised in Şanlıurfa, Gaziantep, Isparta and Mersin to facilitate employment opportunities for trainees as soon as the trainings had been completed. 

The Project Steering Committee provided the opportunity to discuss project achievements, address the challenges encountered in its implementation and gather feedback on project improvement for the second phase.

A satisfaction survey in both languages (Arabic and Turkish) covering several topics were also distributed to project trainees, including on the quality of the training, the quality of services received such as interpretation, transportation and food and the quality of the “on the job” training.

Partners 

• Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (including Provincial Directorates of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the GAP (Southeastern Anatolia Project) Agricultural Research Institute
• Şanlıurfa Cattle Breeders Association
• Producers Unions
• Mediterranean Citrus Exporters Union
• Adana Commodities Exchange
• Gaziantep Commodities Exchange
• Dairy Producers Union
• Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR)

Results of the Good Practice 

• 900 trainees participated in theoretical and vocational training.
• 854 trainees received certificates
• 20 per cent of the trainees acquired new jobs.