Mussel Cooperative Opening Ceremony: Promoting self-reliant livelihoods of Syrian under Temporary Protection and host communities through provision of skills trainings and productive assets

The project funded by the government of Japan aims to provide both Syrian refugees and host communities with entrepreneurship support and vocational trainings in food and agriculture sector.

Under the project, a Cooperative has been established by a group of Turkish and Syrian refugee women to produce mussel in cooperation with İzmir Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry. In addition, in partnership with a Japanese NGO; AAR Japan; the project will increase the knowledge and practice on healthy diet and nutrition among the most vulnerable beneficiaries to prevent undernutrition and chronic diseases.

The project is under implementation in Izmir, Şanlıurfa and Mardin provinces and supports 150 beneficiaries selected among Syrian refugees and members of the host community (50% from SuTPs, 50% from host communities). Currently, theoretical and on the job trainings in Izmir, Şanlıurfa and Mardin are complete. Additionally, AAR Japan provided trainings and awareness raising on healthy diet to 80 participants in Mardin, İzmir and Şanlıurfa.