Since the start of the Syrian crisis in 2011, Türkiye has become host to more than 3.5 million registered Syrian refugees, many of whom live in the border cities across southern Türkiye. At the start of this year, the largest earthquake disaster in Turkish history struck the southern region and Syria, killing 50,000 people and displacing 1.5 million more. Wiping out major infrastructure, the earthquakes placed severe strain on social services and dramatically increased the cost of living for Syrians and Turks. 

In continued efforts to support young people in vulnerable situations, including women and refugees, to find pathways to employment and economic stability, SPARK and its partners are responding to the challenges. Through the Economic Resilience programme, financed by the Qatar Fund for Development, SPARK collaborates with Gaziantep Technopark, a business cluster which is home to 187 companies and supports innovative entrepreneurial ventures. 

In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake however, Gaziantep Technopark’s building was transformed into a temporary shelter for thousands in urgent need. “TechnoPark’s research and development centre was in good condition, so we immediately turned it into a shelter centre. On the first night, we accommodated 800 people, providing food and heating thanks to on-site generators,” says Kazım Yıldırım, Gaziantep Technopark’s General Director. 

Six months on from the disaster, the Gaziantep Technopark is once again providing essential services to the city’s entrepreneurs in efforts to foster economic growth in the impacted region. 

Startup: Road tunnel lighting solutions
One such founder is Sajidah Safadi. Syrian-born Sajidah has recently founded Safadi Technologies through the programme. Her startup specialises in the design of lighting lenses, particularly the lights used for road tunnels.

When driving through road tunnels, people often experience a brief period of vision blindness, which can last up to 15 seconds. Through thorough research, Safadi Technologies determined that the lighting itself was a primary contributing factor. With her team, they set out to address this issue by creating a lens which effectively distributes the light in the tunnel. As the business has grown, their work has evolved to include other types of lenses for both indoor and outdoor lighting applications.

Initially, Sajidah felt out of her depth, having only recently graduated from her studies. “Transitioning from academia to the professional realm, I found myself initially lacking substantial experience. However, the support I received encompassed all the essential steps and factors required for a successful entrepreneurial journey.”

Startup: Automated agricultural vehicle
Salih Kocamer, a Turkish entrepreneur, founded his business, TARGETEK, which pioneered the development of a self-driving, automated agricultural vehicle. This technology possesses the remarkable ability to distinguish between harmful weeds and valuable crops, operating continuously 24/7, resulting in efficient organic crop yields. Additionally, the vehicle’s design aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, offering a promising step towards sustainable farming practices for the region.

Despite the setbacks that have faced young people living in southern Türkiye – war, displacement and natural disasters – these 21 new startups offer a promising ray of hope for the economic future of the region. With Technopark’s provision of diverse entrepreneurship support mechanisms, including mentorship, training, funding and equipment, communities of both Turkish and Syrian business owners have been incubated in vital sectors. These startups are expected to generate approximately 24 job opportunities, further contributing to economic growth and resilience in the region.