WOMEN-UP: Mother inspires daughter and daughter inspires mother

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WOMEN-UP: Mother inspires daughter and daughter inspires mother

Nurefşan Ata studies law at Hacettepe University in Ankara while simultaneously running a flower shop. She is among the youngest entrepreneurs to benefit from the European Union (EU)-funded WOMEN-UP project.

© EUROPEAN UNION, 2025

Nurefşan started her business two years ago, at the age of 19, with the support of her mother. "Of course, running a flower shop while studying law at a university like Hacettepe is challenging, so having an employee is a must," she says.

While running the flower shop, she is also studying law

After setting up her business, she came across the WOMEN-UP project while researching projects that could benefit women entrepreneurs. To apply for the project, she immediately started searching for a female employee.

Hülya's first formal job

"I was a housewife. I wanted to work somewhere with insurance; I had no insurance previously. My path crossed with Ms Nurefşan through the WOMEN-UP project. She is a friend of my sister's. I heard from my sister that she was searching for someone to hire. We met and subsequently started working together. Ms Nurefşan is very friendly, and the working environment here is very pleasant," Hülya Koç reflects.

This is Hülya's first formal job

Nurefşan says that they have worked together under the WOMEN-UP project for more than a year and a half. Hülya helps Nurefşan with everything, from arranging flowers to growing them. When Nurefşan is unable to go to work due to university commitments, Hülya steps in, and when Hülya cannot go to work because she has to look after her child, Nurefşan covers for her.

They perform every task from growing flowers to arranging them

Both ladies are happy with the project and their collaboration and plan to continue working together after the project ends.

Nurefşan's mother also benefits from WOMEN-UP

Aysel Ata's real estate agency is right next to her daughter's flower shop. Following in her daughter's footsteps, Mother Ata applied to the WOMEN-UP project and subsequently employed a female worker.

"Since childhood, Nurefşan has learned how to run a business due to the example I set running my company. After she started her own business, I heard about the WOMEN-UP project from Nurefşan. In other words, I inspired Nurefşan when it came to running her business, and she inspired me regarding the WOMEN-UP project."

Mother Ata's real estate agency has also benefited from the WOMEN-UP project

Nursima Fındıkçı who works with Aysel Ata as part of Women-Up says: "I plan to continue working here after the end of the project."

Nursima Fındıkçı

Supporting both employer and employee

Co-financed by the EU and the Republic of Türkiye, the Supporting Registered Women Employment Project (WOMEN-UP) is carried out by the Social Security Institution (SGK). The project covers the wages of a female staff member up to the net amount of the minimum wage for 25 months. Employers apply with the information of the worker they wish to employ.

Alev Şahin, a social security expert from SGK, states: "With this project, we provide grant support to female employers for their newly employed female workers. The project started in March 2022 and completed in August 2024. Under the project, we have provided support to 1,251 employers and 1,729 workers in Ankara. Within our institution, we attach great importance to women's empowerment in every field."

Alev Şahin, a social security expert from SGK

The Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, Ambassador Thomas Ossowski, states: "We have witnessed many success stories with WOMEN-UP. As a result of this, in agreement with Turkish Authorities, we have decided to launch the second phase of WOMEN-UP. Under the second phase, we will empower 2100 women in four provinces. The EU and Türkiye will continue working together to strengthen the role of women in society, entrepreneurship and in the world of business."

Ambassador Thomas Ossowski

Four provinces in the second phase

The WOMEN-UP Project, co-financed by EU and Türkiye with a €25 million grant from the EU, supported 4,000 female employees and 4,000 female entrepreneurs in the provinces of Ankara, Istanbul, Samsun, Aydın, Denizli, Şanlıurfa, and Kahramanmaraş.

The second phase, co-financed by EU and Türkiye with a €9.9 million grant from the EUD, aims to support 2,100 female employees and 2,100 female entrepreneurs in the provinces of Ankara, Istanbul, Samsun and Aydın.

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