YOUNG WOMEN BEGIN THEIR TECHNOLOGY AND LEADERSHIP JOURNEY FROM BURSA
Bursa Commodity Exchange and Gürsu Municipality introduced to the public the “For Increasing Youth Entrepreneurship: Young Women Technology and Leadership Project,” prepared to ensure the integration of young women into the entrepreneurship ecosystem. With the project, it is aimed to include women in the global entrepreneurship ecosystem and enable them to become strong actors in the digitalizing world.
Bursa Commodity Exchange (Bursa TB) and Gürsu Municipality signed an exemplary cooperation to carry technology-based business ideas of young women entrepreneurs to the international level. The launch meeting of the “For Increasing Youth Entrepreneurship: Young Women Technology and Leadership Project,” which is supported by the Turkish National Agency under the European Union Erasmus+ KA152-YOU program and was entitled to receive a grant of 29,359 Euros, was held in the Bursa Commodity Exchange Conference Hall.
The program was attended by Bursa Commodity Exchange Chairman of the Board Özer Matlı, Gürsu Mayor Mustafa Işık, Bursa Commodity Exchange Board Members İlker Birgül and Emrah Silmez, Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) Bursa Women Entrepreneurs Council Executive Committee Chair Sabriye Şen and Executive Committee Members. Within the scope of the program, the roadmap of the activities to be carried out under the coordination of Bursa Commodity Exchange and TOBB Bursa Women Entrepreneurs Council was shared.
“We will touch the futures of our young women”
Speaking at the opening of the meeting, TOBB Bursa Women Entrepreneurs Council Executive Committee Chair Sabriye Şen emphasized the critical importance of the project for women’s entrepreneurship. Şen said, “Today, we are taking a very valuable step that will touch the future of our young women and make them stronger in the fields of technology, leadership and entrepreneurship. Through this cooperation, we once again see the importance of local governments and the business world acting together. I would like to express my gratitude to Bursa Commodity Exchange Chairman Mr. Özer Matlı for his belief in and vision for the project, and to Gürsu Mayor Mr. Mustafa Işık for his strong contributions.”
Özer Matlı: “Young people and women will be the key to sustainable development”
Bursa Commodity Exchange Chairman of the Board Özer Matlı emphasized that the project is a very valuable step taken for the future of young people, women and the entrepreneurship ecosystem. Stating that directing young people towards production, innovation and entrepreneurship is extremely valuable in today’s world where digital transformation is accelerating, Chairman Matlı said, “As Bursa Commodity Exchange, we believe that a future in which women take a stronger place in economic life and young people can courageously bring their ideas to life is one of the most important elements of sustainable development.”
Strong collaborations add value to Bursa
Noting that strong collaborations to be established among local governments, the business world and non-governmental organizations will bring significant opportunities to our city and region in national and international projects, Özer Matlı said, “In this direction, I believe that the process we will carry out as the coordinating institution, together with the contributions of our TOBB Bursa Women Entrepreneurs Council and its strong fieldwork, will produce very valuable outcomes. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the project, especially Gürsu Mayor Mr. Mustafa Işık, and wish that our project will be beneficial for our institutions, our city and our young people.”
Işık: “Empowering women means empowering the future”
Gürsu Mayor Mustafa Işık emphasized that their goal is to help young people gain entrepreneurial courage and prepare for the future. Stating that the project, which will be carried out in Gürsu with the participation of young people from Türkiye, Germany and France within the scope of the Erasmus+ program, offers a wide range of training from artificial intelligence to e-commerce, from digital marketing to financial literacy, Mayor Işık said, “Our aim is not only to enable our young people to acquire knowledge, but also to ensure that they grow up as individuals who develop solutions. Through this initiative, with which we aim to reach more than 1,500 young people, we aim to contribute to the emergence of new ideas and the strengthening of international collaborations. It should not be forgotten that empowering women means empowering the future.”
A women’s entrepreneurship move from local to global
Following the opening speeches, the official launch program ended with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Bursa Commodity Exchange Chairman of the Board Özer Matlı and Gürsu Mayor Mustafa Işık. In the project, where Bursa Commodity Exchange is the coordinating institution and Gürsu Municipality is the local partner, young women entrepreneurs from Germany and France, as well as Türkiye, take part. Within the scope of the 12-month project, comprehensive training and practical activities will be carried out at Gürsu Ericek Adrenalin Park. Throughout the project, participating young women will be provided with certified training in critical fields such as digital marketing, artificial intelligence, blockchain and financial management.
