Turkish e-commerce giant, UNDP open fifth rural digital hub in Denizli

2026-02-27 - 21:32

Turkish e-commerce platform Trendyol and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) inaugurated their fifth rural digital hub Friday in the western province of Denizli, expanding a nationwide initiative to equip farmers, women entrepreneurs, and youth with digital skills. The center, located in Bozkurt district's Inceler neighborhood, is part of the "Villages of Tomorrow" project launched to promote inclusive growth and sustainable development. Hub Services and Impact The Denizli facility will provide training in e-commerce, branding, product design, and digital marketing for local producers and small businesses. Children and youth will have access to courses in digital literacy, coding, robotics, and artificial intelligence, while farmers receive instruction in digital and sustainable agriculture practices. Previous hubs have been established in Adana, İzmir, Diyarbakır, and Sakarya, with facilities in Konya and Hatay under development. The initiative has reached nearly 10,000 people to date, helping rural producers integrate into broader supply chains through data-driven production models and digital tools. Local Products Online Thirteen local producers currently offer more than 250 products directly to consumers through the "Villages of Tomorrow Boutique," including regional agricultural goods such as Buldan chestnuts, Çalkarası and İsabey grapes, Honaz cherries, and Denizli thyme, alongside traditional textiles and handicrafts. Personal Connection The opening ceremony was attended by Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Türkiye's UN Ambassador Ahmet Yıldız, UNDP executives, and local administrators. Yıldız shared a personal connection to the site: "It is deeply emotional for me, both personally and professionally, to be here in the village where I was born. This building has a profound meaning for our family—it is where my father carried stones for its foundation, and where I studied alongside my siblings. To keep the spirit of Inceler alive, we restored it into a library and museum. Standing on this foundation, we look ahead to the future." International Recognition The initiative was highlighted at a United Nations panel in New York last September, showcasing the private sector's role in supporting inclusive rural development. Yıldiz said the project exemplifies cooperation between the UN and private sector partners to advance sustainable and inclusive development nationwide.