UNDP’s training improves development agencies’ capacities to take actions in advancing digitalization levels of the local SMEs in the post-COVID-19 world

UNDP provided digital leadership and strategy training to development agencies within the Digital Way initiative, which is being implemented together with the Ministry of Industry and Technology General Directorate of Development Agencies.

The aim of the training was to increase the capacity of development agencies for giving guidance on digitalization to SMEs operating in tourism and manufacturing sectors, and raising awareness on new generation technologies, trends and post-COVID-19 dynamics. 

25 development professionals from 6 pilot development agencies (Ahiler, East Marmara, Oran, South Marmara, Trakya and West Mediterranean Development Agencies) and the Ministry participated in the training programme held in Antalya on 24-25 February 2022. The participants were provided not only with technical information and case studies on digitalization, but also a chance to participate in workshops on innovation strategy and context study, creating promises of sustainable value with next generation business models, and creating a future vision. 

Following the programme, participants will take actions in advancing digitalization levels of the local SMEs in the pilot regions as they develop a better understanding in post-pandemic digital trends, dynamics of digitalization and transformation, new generation business models and innovation strategies, and designing short, medium and long-term digitalization programmes.

SMEs need to develop their digital skills and infrastructure to sustain and enhance their competitiveness. COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the necessity of digital shift in the business world. To answer these challenges, UNDP and the Ministry of Industry and Technology joined forces to spread digitalization in local and traditional SMEs. Development agencies are considered as the champions of this inclusive digitalization process and therefore the core target group of the training.

As SMEs are facing several barriers to ensure digital transformation such as limited access to knowledge, technical capacities and financial resources, UNDP Rapid Financing Facility (RFF) funded Digital Way initiative will help to accelerate digitalization of manufacturing and tourism sectors in Turkey by ensuring awareness, increasing capacities as well as providing resources through trainings and a matchmaking and knowledge sharing web-based platform, which will be operational in May 2022.