top of page
cropped-TR_EU_LOGOS_08032023_logo_black_en.png
31381-2.jpg

Türkiye-EU Dialogue II - Building bridges, unlocking opportunities

The first EU-Türkiye Economy High-Level Business Dialogue since 2019 took place in Brussels on 3 April. Along with other EU and Turkish business representatives, Eurochambres’ CEO, Ben Butters, and TOBB President, Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, engaged in a constructive discussion with European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood, Marta Kos, and Turkish Minister of Finance, Mehmet Şimşek. Held as part of the Türkiye-EU Business Dialogue II (TEBD II) project, the business roundtable  conveyed a strong signal of both sides’ intention to foster cooperation on investment and competitiveness.

Photo 15th September.jpeg

Internationalisation Support Services for SMEs

The Chamber Academy under the TEBD II Programme was held from 15 to 19 September 2025, focusing on internationalisation support services for SMEs, a key driver of economic growth between Europe and Türkiye.

Welcome to TEBD II

Chambers of commerce and industry in both Türkiye and the European Union (EU) play a vital role in fostering economic cooperation and supporting Türkiye’s EU accession process. The Türkiye-EU Business Dialogue (TEBD) project is built on a long-standing partnership between Eurochambres, the association of European chambers of commerce and industry, and TOBB, the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye. As the “voices of the business community,” both organisations advocate for the interests of their members, focusing on strategic priorities that benefit businesses in both regions.

krakenimages-Y5bvRlcCx8k-unsplash.jpg

The next phase of the Türkiye-EU Business Dialogue (TEBD-II) will be implemented over 36 months, from 2024 to 2027, and aims to deepen economic relations between Türkiye and the European Union. Led by Eurochambres, this initiative will involve a wide range of collaborative activities, including High-Level Business Dialogues, SME surveys, and joint workshops between Turkish and EU chambers and business communities. The project will also feature capacity-building efforts such as study visits, chamber academies, and support programmes focused on energy efficiency, sustainable growth, and EU Acquis, all designed to strengthen the capacity of both Turkish and EU chambers.

radission-us-_XeQ8XEWb4Q-unsplash.jpg

An important component of TEBD-II is the Chamber Partnership Grant Scheme, which will allocate funding for approximately 20 joint projects carried out by European and Turkish chambers. Each project will have a duration of up to 15 months. In addition, the TEBD-II team will provide training, coaching, and continuous support to the grant recipients to ensure the effective implementation of their activities.

The Türkiye-EU Business Dialogue II (TEBD II) is a project co-funded by the European Union under its IPA II programme with Türkiye that aims to strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation between the Turkish and the European private sectors. Activities are implemented by the European and Turkish chambers of commerce and industry.

High Level Business Dialogue

Business Dialogue

SME Surveys

SME Workshops

Study Visits

Chamber Academies

Support Programme

Latest Activities

There is currently no content in this section.

Latest News

Sustainable growth support programme training concludes in Ankara

The four-day in-person training of the TEBD II Sustainable Growth Support Programme successfully concluded in Ankara, bringing together 24 representatives from Turkish chambers of commerce and industry, and Turkish commodity exchanges to strengthen their capacity to support SMEs in the green transition. Promoted by the Türkiye-EU Dialogue II (TEBD II), and hosted by Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey he Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), the programme combined expert-led sessions, interactive discussions, and practical exercises designed to equip participants with the knowledge and tools needed to help businesses address sustainability challenges and seize emerging opportunities. Participants were trained to prepare SMEs to embed sustainability in their businesses. . Sessions focused on translating ESG and climate-related concepts into practical services for SMEs, understanding sustainable finance opportunities, applying ESG reporting frameworks, and using human-centred design methodologies to develop new chamber services on green transition. The training emphasised the increasingly important role chambers play in helping SMEs respond to changing market conditions, regulatory developments, and sustainability expectations across value chains. Participants worked together to identify practical ways to support businesses in improving their environmental performance while maintaining competitiveness. Additionally, the TESG tool (Turkish ESG) was presented to participants. Prepared in the framework of the TEBD II project, this self-assessment tool is aimed at helping SMEs assess their sustainability level. Based on the tool's results, Chambers can provide a roadmap for SME sustainability transition. The final day addressed some of the most pressing communication challenges linked to sustainability. Participants explored how to communicate sustainability effectively to SMEs, strengthen ESG positioning, and recognise and mitigate climate risks, and preventing  greenwashing. These discussions highlighted the importance of clear, transparent, and evidence-based communication in building trust and encouraging meaningful sustainability measures. The programme also provided valuable opportunities for networking, peer learning, and reflection. Participants shared experiences from their respective regions and discussed how the knowledge gained during the training could be applied within their chambers and local business communities. A strong spirit of collaboration characterised the entire programme, demonstrating the commitment of Turkish participants to supporting SMEs as they navigate the green transition. By strengthening their expertise and expanding their service offer, chambers can play a crucial role in helping businesses become more sustainable, resilient, and competitive. The completion of this training marks an important milestone in the Sustainable Growth Support Programme and lays the foundation for continued support to chambers and SMEs across Türkiye.

Jun 15, 2026

Study Visit to Gaziantep, Türkiye (2026): Call for participants from EU Chambers

In the framework of the Türkiye–EU Business Dialogue II (TEBD II) project, we are launching a new call for participants from EU Chambers to attend the Study Visit to Gaziantep, Türkiye.

Jun 11, 2026

Call for Tender: Company Surveys in Türkiye and the EU under the TEBD II Project

The Türkiye-EU Business Dialogue II (TEBD II) project has launched a call for tender for the implementation of a large-scale company survey aimed at gathering valuable insights from businesses in Türkiye and the European Union.

Jun 5, 2026

Sustainable Growth Support Programme: Call for Turkish participants

Eurochambres announces a call to select 25 participants from Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges participating to its support programme on sustainable growth.

Mar 31, 2026

Study Visit to Mersin, Türkiye (2026): Call for participants from EU Chambers

In the framework of the Türkiye–EU Business Dialogue II (TEBD II) project, we are launching a new call for participants from EU Chambers to attend the Study Visit to Mersin, Türkiye.

Feb 20, 2026

Upcoming Events

Sustainable Growth Support Program Ankara

Collapsible text is perfect for longer content like

Jun 9, 2026

bottom of page