The third of the Women Business Network (W-BUN) consultation meetings realised in İzmir on 24 January. The Project which set out with the aim of enhancing women’s capacities by taking part in an effective communication network to have access to the necessary information and job markets in the business world.

Within the scope of the project activities carried out under the coordination of KAGIDER and in cooperation with KAISDER and BUIKAD, the 3th of the consultation meetings to be held in 8 provinces took place in İzmir with the participation of 50 women entrepreneurs. At the meeting, the experiences of women entrepreneurs in public procurements, difficulties experienced and solution suggestions were discussed. A specialist legal advisor shared information about the present legislation on public procurements. At the meeting, it was noted that women don’t take part enough in public tenders, women entrepreneurs are not active in public relations and they needed a little more motivation with this regard.

Women entrepreneurs will progress thanks to the online platform

The Project which set out with the perspective that women entrepreneurs reach value-added services and businesses and be in an active communication network brings together women entrepreneurs around Turkey on the ‘www.ticaretinkadinlari.com’ website. The web platform will constitute a powerful tool for women to be more successful in tenders opened by the public and private sector for purchasing goods and services and to access necessary information and markets. Under the umbrella of the portal, women entrepreneurs will come together and will have the opportunity to support each other, do business together and use the platform as a business channel with the institutions that want to do business with women entrepreneurs. On the other hand, the information of women entrepreneurs who will provide the product or service to be purchased for both the public and the private sector will be available through the platform.

Public visits were made in İzmir

In order for women entrepreneurs to participate strongly in the field of public and private sector tenders, public visits were made to rush the necessary changes in the relevant legislation and to draw the attention of local administrations to the Project. In this context, the project team, which maintains the "Women Business Network" project, visited the Governor of Izmir Erol Ayyıldız and the Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç Soyer. The Project team emphasized the importance of their collaboration and contribution. In addition, during the meeting held with Eyüp Cemal Elmasoğlu, Vice President of the Izmir Chamber of Commerce, attention was drawn to the issue of support for reaching women entrepreneurs registered in the room and announcing the portal.

Within the scope of Women Business Network W-BUN Project, law proposal studies are being carried out for many small and medium-sized women entrepreneurs to take part in public tenders. Aims of the Project include ensuring that the participating non-governmental organizations and women receive services and consultancy, contributing to the global goal of the Partnerships and Networks Grant Scheme, keeping more active in policy processes, and providing the development of civil society through participation.

A law proposal to be negotiated with the public sector through the project will support the participating NGOs and women in developing their national and international capacities.