Innovation Centers to be founded in Çerkezköy and Yalova by UNDP and the Ministry of Industry and Technology will support developing technologies and spreading innovation in Organized Industrial Zones

Efforts to increase research and development (R&D) and innovation-oriented competitiveness in the Turkish industry continue to be expanded with the partnership of the Ministry of Industry and Technology and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the support of the Presidency of Strategy and Budget. Following Manisa and Başkent Organized Industrial Zones (OIZs) Innovation Centers, which were the two selected pilots in the first stage of the initiative, the centers to be established in the second stage in Çerkezköy and Yalova Makine İhtisas OIZs will provide support to companies in their capacity development processes regarding innovation and innovation management. Cooperation protocols prepared for the establishment of the new centers were signed on 5 August 2022.

Under the initiative, first, needs of the companies were determined and the programmes designed according to the analyses of these data were published in two separate reports (Çerkezköy and Yalova). The centers, which will start operating with a new business plan based on these reports, will primarily offer activities to increase the competencies of the company employees and owners.

The two centers will provide capacity and skills development trainings to approximately 400 blue-collar personnel, 250 R&D personnel, 70 foreign trade personnel and 70 company owners, while providing one-on-one mentorship to selected owners. Innovation roadmaps will be prepared for a total of approximately 40 companies and priority projects will be supported. Also, the establishment of 10 new R&D / design centers will be pioneered and training and consultancy services will be provided for these companies to benefit from public funds.

Developing platforms for companies to find potential partners by enhancing their capacity to establish and manage cooperation with other companies within OIZs and with the Regional Innovation System actors is also among the activities of the Innovation Centers.

With these efforts carried out within the scope of the Technology Development Project in OIZs, UNDP and the Ministry of Industry and Technology aim to transform Çerkezköy OIZ and Yalova Makine İhtisas OIZ into innovative structures, to ensure the sustainability of the OIZs and to increase companies’ production, marketing and managerial capacities, in particular on R&D and innovation.