The “SME Consultancy in The Process of COVID-19” was initiated with the cooperation of Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce (GTO), SPARK, GETHAM (Gaziantep Industrial Design and Modelling Center) funded by Qatar Fund for Development.
SPARK, in partnership with the Qatar Fund for Development is responding to the poverty reduction and economic inclusion need for Syrian refugees and vulnerable youth residing in Turkey through SPARK’s Regional Jobs Programme. This dynamic programme was designed in partnership with local companies, chambers of commerce, NGOs, private sector and governments to create employment for youth.
The COVID-19 crisis further aggravates the crisis caused by the Syrian conflict, which continues to have an immense impact on Turkey. Turkey faces challenges, perhaps most significantly, the need to effectively help to contribute to the poverty reduction of refugees and vulnerable members of the host community. The proposed programme also addresses the practical needs of communities that have been affected by the crisis of COVID19 such as refugees as well as the vulnerable amongst the communities which have been host to this refugee population.
In term of an immediate response, SPARK has started to support initiatives to safeguard jobs and support SMEs that are at risk of going bankrupt as well as SMEs that have a crucial role in battling the COVID19 outbreak. At the same time, businesses are pushed to transform to adjust to their context and for instance shift to investments in mobile solutions, repurpose product and services lines and adjust to the new market and customer realities following the COVID19 crisis. SPARK intends to support the businesses in digitizing their operations and business models.