The International Labour Organization (ILO) in Türkiye has partnered with the EkoDoku Women Sustainable Living Cooperative to promote eco-friendly textiles and raise awareness about the detrimental impacts of fast fashion.
- The initiative is part of the ILO’s work in driving the advancement of formal and inclusive sustainable textile practices within Türkiye's green economy.
THE PROJECT: Following field visits by ILO Officers, and with the ILO’s technical and financial support, EkoDoku will produce a collection using nature-based fabrics and techniques.
- This initiative not only promotes sustainable textiles but also aims to create formal job opportunities, thereby contributing to the formalisation of the sector.
- The ILO is expanding the implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) at EkoDoku to tackle issues related to decent work, such as informal employment, low wages, and low productivity.
- The pilot project at EkoDoku aims to stimulate green job creation and inclusiveness for all, including Syrians under Temporary Protection, International Protection Applicants and Status Holders, and host communities.
- Nature-based solutions are essential for green jobs, fostering sustainable, resilient, and inclusive employment opportunities that support environmental protection, economic diversification, and social equity.
- According to the Decent Work in Nature-based Solutions 2022 Report, nearly 75 million people are currently employed in NbS, and achieving goals in mitigation, biodiversity, and land restoration could generate an estimated 20 million additional jobs.
- Recognising cooperatives as critical pathways to formalisation, the ILO Office for Türkiye is addressing challenges faced by textile workers, many of whom are women.
- By ensuring decent employment and income, and improving access to essential services and social protection, cooperatives offer a vital route for transitioning workers into the formal economy.
- This initiative, including the workshops and support activities, is financed by the United States government.
THE LAUNCH: The initiative kicked off earlier this month at an Eco Dyeing and Printing Workshop.
- Led by Gökçe Coşkun, a textile design consultant, the workshop offered hands-on training to cooperative members in natural dyeing techniques using pigments from various plants.
- Participants also learned woodblock printing, natural patterning, and batik dyeing on linen and hemp fabrics.
The Cooperative: EkoDoku, a women-led social enterprise guided by the Sustainable Development Goals, promotes circularity and sustainability in the textile industry.
- With branches in Ankara and Iskenderun, the cooperative focuses on waste management and upcycling, transforming discarded cotton fabrics into practical products. EkoDoku also champions cruelty-free silk production and advocates for responsible production and consumption.
