Leading women’s cooperatives unite under First Lady’s program in Ankara

Anatolian women, united in cooperatives, are contributing to both their households and the economy, creating exemplary success stories.

Emine Ozdogan, head of a cooperative in the northern province of Bolu, shared her journey.

“We created a women’s cooperative with 52 village brides in the village of Demirciler,” she said. “Our village chief told us: “Our president supports women’s cooperatives. We should create it.”

The cooperative’s first project was to make jams in the village chief’s office. Over time, they renovated the abandoned elementary school.

“We leveled his garden, designed the interior and built a production hall. We added a stone oven, six greenhouses and even a lavender garden.”

By 2020, the cooperative had completed entrepreneurship and culinary training, received various quality certifications, and opened a farm-to-table restaurant 5 kilometers from Bolu. Today, their products are sold locally and through e-commerce.