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The Project on Innovations for Empowerment of Women in GAP Region is implemented in two phases by the GAP Administration with technical assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and financial contribution of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

The first phase of the project was implemented in the period March 2008-May 2012 with a budget of 907,668 USD and the second phase in the period July 2012-December2016. The budget allocated to the second phase was 110,550 USD. The project budget was 1.1 million USD.The project area encompasses 9 provinces in the region of South-eastern Anatolia (Adıyaman, Batman, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Kilis, Mardin, Siirt, Şanlıurfa and Şırnak).

The Project on Innovations for Empowerment of Women in South-eastern Anatolia has three components:

• Improving business management and enterprising skills of women in South-eastern Anatolia.
• Promoting employment and income generation opportunities of women in South-eastern Anatolia by establishing strong marketing links.
• Increasing incomes of women taking part in production through the regional garment brand "Argande" and setting a strong example of public-private partnership.

Activities carried out under these three components eventually target the empowerment of women socially in their communities within their enhanced productive capacity, enterprise management skills, employability and income generation.

In the 2^nd phase of the Project on Innovations for Empowerment of Women in South-eastern Anatolia, there is strong emphasis on ensuring the sustainability of local enterprises launched and supported since 2008 and on producing and sharing information supporting policies geared to the empowerment of women.

Cooperation

The sustainability of local enterprises supported by the Project on Innovations for Empowerment of Women in South-eastern Anatolia depends upon strong cooperation between government agencies, private sector enterprises and civil society organizations in the region. There is support from three different advisory mechanisms existing under the project to translate this cooperation into life:

• “Project Steering Committee” that monitors performance and takes strategic decisions
• “Private Sector Advisory Board” that supports the project in a way to reflect the priorities and approaches of the private sector and shares information and experience in such sectorial issues as marketing and design.
• “Local Advisory Board” that supports overviewing of project activities according to regional needs and priorities and encourages local-level cooperation.

Entities that provide voluntary support to the project include provincial governorates, relevant agencies, private sector enterprises such as Mudo, Markafoni and Koton and leading figures of the sectors of fashion, design and textiles that the project has its focus on.

Outcomes of the Project:

• Argande Fashion Brand is created; the workshop established with Argande brand is presently engaged in production.
• 3,000 women are working and being paid under “Koton manual labour collection.”
• Workshops active in the region have become stronger.

The 2^nd phase of the project is completed and presently funding is sought for the 3^rd phase.