A Collaborative Effort by UN Türkiye for a Stronger Care Economy

UN Türkiye Joint Programme on the Transformative Growth of the Care Economy in Türkiye, funded by the Joint SDG Fund was launched on 5 February in Ankara. The Joint Programme aims to strengthen Türkiye’s care economy, promote inclusive growth, and accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

A Collaborative Effort for a Stronger Care Economy

Under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator and with full coordination support of the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO), the International Labour Organization (ILO) will lead the implementation of the programme in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). UN Women, UNICEF, and UNFPA will provide technical support. The Ministry of Family and Social Services will serve as the key governmental partner, alongside other public institutions, worker and employer organizations, and civil society organizations (CSOs). 

To build a strong, sustainable, and inclusive care economy by encouraging collaboration and public private partnerships the Joint Programme will take two key approaches:

• First, it will create practical care economy models based on global best practices, using digital solutions to support independent living and aging in place. 
• Second, it will help enhance capacity of government and social partners in Türkiye for promoting transformative growth of care economy.

High-Level Support for the Initiative

“The care economy is not merely a sector; it is the backbone of thriving societies and economies. In Türkiye, the demographic realities of a growing elderly population, significant care demands for children, and persistent gender inequalities in care work call for immediate and innovative action. This Joint Programme is a transformative response to these challenges, designed to create equitable opportunities for caregivers and care recipients while leveraging the potential of digital transformation,” said Lisa Kurbiel, Head of the UN Joint SDG Fund, in the video message she sent to the launch event.

In his opening remarks at the launch at UN Türkiye premises in Ankara, UN Resident Coordinator Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi stated, 'Investing in the care economy is investing in the future of societies.” “By ensuring fair distribution of care responsibilities and leveraging digital solutions, we can create a more equitable and prosperous Türkiye” he added.

“Recognizing and prioritizing the care economy is key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostering a more equitable and sustainable future. As we embark on this transformative journey through our UN Joint Programme on the care economy, let us remember that investing in care is investing in our collective future. This initiative is more than a Joint Programme - it is a commitment to equity, sustainability, and shared prosperity,” underlined Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi. 

The Care Economy Joint Programme launch event brought together policymakers, social partners, international organizations, CSOs, and private sector representatives to discuss the roadmap and work plan for this year-long initiative. 

Also speaking at the launch event, Deputy Minister of Family and Social Services Sevim Sayım Madak emphasized Türkiye’s commitment to harnessing the transformative power of the care economy. She stated:

 “Türkiye is mobilizing the transformative power of the care economy! In the face of an aging population, increasing care needs, and ongoing social transformation, we are taking a bold step to diversify social services, support women's employment, and enable individuals to maintain independent lives. With a family-centered, rights-based, and inclusive approach, we are building a more accessible, sustainable, and robust care ecosystem for everyone—from children to the older persons, from individuals with disabilities to women.” 

Echoing this sentiment, Yasser Hassan, Director of the ILO Office for Türkiye, highlighted the fundamental role of care in shaping societies and economies:

“Care is fundamental to human, social, economic, and environmental well-being. It lies at the heart of sustainable development. Care work—whether paid or unpaid—enables all other work. A well-functioning and robust care economy contributes to a healthier present and future workforce, supports businesses, enhances productivity, and creates jobs."

Miodrag Dragisic, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Türkiye, further underscored the importance of care as a human right and a pillar of social and economic development. “Care is a fundamental human right and central to health and social welfare,” said Miodrag Dragisic, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Türkiye. “At UNDP, we view robust care policies and services as essential for tackling poverty, reducing inequalities, fostering social inclusion, promoting economic stability, and ultimately advancing human development and inclusive growth. UNDP is proud to partner with the Ministry of Family and Social Services together with ILO and the UN Resident Coordinator Office in this pivotal joint programme” he said.

Building on National Commitments

Recognizing the transformative potential of the care economy, Türkiye’s 12th National Development Plan and the Women’s Empowerment Strategy Document and Action Plan (2024-2028) highlight a strong commitment to expanding and improving care services. This new UN Joint Programme builds on these national efforts by proposing innovative financing strategies, enhancing service quality and accessibility, creating decent jobs, and leveraging digital transformation to improve Türkiye’s care system in alignment with international norms and standards.

All joint programs of the Joint SDG Fund are coordinated by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. The Fund receives generous contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and private sector funding partners to help achieve the SDGs by 2030.