Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), in partnership with the German Development Cooperation and with the support of the European Commission (Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion), organized the “Informal Economy Workshop” in Istanbul, hosted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of the Republic of Türkiye on September 16,2025.
UCLG-MEWA participated in this significant event, which addressed key issues related to combating informality and facilitating the transition to the formal economy across the region.
The Workshop brought together over 90 participants, including representatives from the government and private sector, social partners, academia, and international organizations such as the ILO, OECD, and ETF. Young and women entrepreneurs were also given a platform to share their inspiring experiences and success stories.
Discussions focused on the opportunities offered by digital technologies, strengthening social protection systems, and developing innovative policy tools to prevent informality and ensure fair working conditions. Good practices and evidence-based approaches were highlighted as essential for sustainable and inclusive economic transformation.
Meanwhile, UCLG-MEWA representatives from Research & Development and Projects Department, Aleyna Demircan and Esranur Tanrıkulu, actively engaged in the event, particularly the session where young people and women entrepreneurs shared their success stories, offering valuable lessons on trust-building, inclusivity, and impact-driven approaches for a sustainable transition from the informal to the formal economy.
As UCLG-MEWA, we remain committed to supporting local governments in their efforts to promote inclusive policies and contribute to sustainable pathways for transitioning to formalization.