The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has completed the allocation of US$10 million in funding from the Government of Sweden earmarked for supporting small businesses that were damaged or destroyed in the devastating earthquakes in February.

The selection of more than 4,600 grant recipients has been completed, funds are currently being transferred, and award ceremonies will take place in all 11 eligible provinces – Kilis, Kahramanmaraş Gaziantep, Hatay, Adana, Osmaniye, Elazığ, Adıyaman, Malatya, Diyarbakır and Şanlıurfa – during November 2023.

UNDP has implemented the program in partnership with local chambers of commerce and industry. Following a pilot program that awarded grants to 257 women-led businesses in Kahramanmaraş, a call for applications to the program was issued in all 11 earthquake-affected provinces. Companies with up to ten employees were eligible to apply for the grants.

A total of 22,824 applicants responded by the deadline. Of these, 15,039 met the defined criteria and passed an administrative evaluation. After a technical and financial evaluation by an expert panel, 5,000 applicants were selected for interviews. Just over 4,600 of those interviewed were selected for grants.

Businesses receiving grants represent all economic sectors, including small manufacturing companies, retail shops, restaurants, pharmacies, dentists, beauty salons and hairdressers, as well as financial service advisors, real estate agents, law offices and service consultants.

The funding for the grants program is currently exhausted and the application process is closed. UNDP will continue supporting small businesses as part of a broader program aimed at socioeconomic recovery of the earthquake-affected region. Should further funding become available to renew or expand the small grants program, UNDP will make a public announcement.

For further information, please contact: arzu.karaarslan@undp.org