The objective of this activity is to develop capacity and knowledge within Turkish Chambers/Commodity Exchanges, which allows them to advise SMEs/members on how they can reduce their energy consumption, and thus become more competitive and raise the awareness on Energy Efficiency.

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An in person training has been organised in June 2025 for 25 Turkish Chamber/Commodity Exchange Executives. The training has been delivered by the network of International experts on the EU.

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The Energy Efficiency activity consists out of 3 modules:

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Module 1 – In-Person Training in Ankara

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The TEBD II “Energy Efficiency Support and Information Service” aims to build capacity and knowledge within Turkish chambers, enabling them to advise SMEs/members on reducing energy consumption, improving competitiveness, and raising awareness of Energy Efficiency.

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2.1. Development of the TEBD II Energy Efficiency Toolkit

As a first step, a new Energy Efficiency Toolkit was developed, building on the previous toolkit and the final report of the Energy Efficiency activity carried out under TEBD I. The toolkit also integrates and harmonises findings from other international and EU-funded projects in the field of energy efficiency for SMEs. The toolkit’s main purpose is to provide selected chamber representatives with an updated set of questions and tools to be submitted to pre-identified Turkish SMEs. It will help chambers raise awareness about technical aspects of energy efficiency, identify success factors and barriers, provide companies with a diagnostic checklist of their current knowledge, enhance corporate policies, and ultimately lead to recommendations for action in the energy efficiency sector.

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The new toolkit methodology has been updated and aligned with relevant EU-funded and international donor projects, including RE-VALUE, EE4SMEs, IMPAWATT, STEEP (where applicable), and EU4HORECA (for the hospitality sector, if relevant). Key findings from these projects have been adapted to the Turkish context.

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2.2. In-Person Training in Ankara

Following the toolkit’s development, a three-day in-person training on energy efficiency will be held for 25 selected Turkish chamber executives. The training will be delivered by experienced European experts in coordination with the TEBD II team, from 11–13 June 2025 at TOBB premises in Ankara, Turkiye. Participants will be trained on the use of various tools and instruments (drawing on best practices from EU chambers) to conduct simple “energy visits” within SMEs, raising awareness of Energy Efficiency.

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The training programme includes:

• Hands-on training on the new Toolkit and guidance on assisting Turkish SMEs in designing energy efficiency activities.

• Detailed explanations on training and monitoring performance.

• Mentoring and practical workshops to prepare participants for energy efficiency visits with local SMEs.

 

The programme also aims to develop “Energy Efficiency Ambassadors” within local chambers. These 25 chamber participants will provide initial training and coaching to local companies, help reduce energy consumption, raise awareness of its importance for SMEs, and serve as reference points for other energy efficiency initiatives locally, nationally, and internationally.

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2.3. Energy Efficiency Visits and Data Collection

After the in-person training, each of the 25 Turkish chambers will conduct at least 10 energy visits (audits) to selected SMEs, reaching a minimum of 250 SMEs. These visits will be supervised by local and EU experts to assess opportunities for energy reduction. An ad-hoc online training will also be organized to support mentoring and preparation for these visits, particularly for chambers and SMEs with limited data collection experience.

During this phase, the experts will respond to queries from the 25 selected chambers within 48 hours, under the supervision of the TEBD II team.

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Module 2 – Webinar 1

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Training 1: 17 July 2025 (as a half-day seminar) with 150 Turkish SME participants (the target was 75)

On 17 July 2025, a TEBD II webinar on energy efficiency funding opportunities for Turkish SMEs was successfully held on the Zoom platform. The webinar brought together over 150 participants, including representatives from Turkish chambers of commerce, industry, commodity exchanges, and SMEs.

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The session focused on public funding opportunities, national and international support mechanisms for SMEs, green transition projects, energy efficiency grant schemes TUBITAK, KOSGEB, Türkiye Socially Inclusive Green Transition Projects and innovative financing models such as the ESCO approach. Participants learned how to access financial and technical resources to implement energy efficiency measures, enhance competitiveness, and contribute to sustainable business practices in Türkiye.

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Module 3 – Webinar 2

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Training 2: 3 September 2025 (as a half-day seminar) exclusively targeted the EE Ambassadors latest questions

As part of the TEBD II Energy Efficiency Support Programme, the follow-up online training no. 2 webinar was held on 3 September 2025, focusing on energy investments for sustainable growth. The session provided participants with practical guidance on implementing energy efficiency measures in SMEs, using the adapted TEBD II Toolkit, and showcased real-life success stories from various sectors. Participants were introduced to the adapted Toolkit, revised menu card checklist, and the 2025 questionnaire, providing practical tools for promoting energy efficiency in Turkish SMEs.

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The second part of the webinar focused on success stories of energy-efficient improvements from diverse sectors, including food production, metal fabrication, and hospitality and textile industry highlighting lessons learned and effective practices.  This training reinforced the role of TEBD II Energy Efficiency Ambassadors in supporting SMEs, facilitating access to energy efficiency measures, and promoting sustainable business practices across Türkiye.

 

NEXT STEPS

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Following these trainings, in Module 2, each Turkish Chamber/Commodity Exchange is committed to carry out 10-20 energy efficiency visits (online or onsite) among different Turkish companies using the Toolkit. 

The total target is therefore 250 Turkish Companies will be visited. The TEBD II Team, with the support of experts, are in contact with each Turkish Chamber/Commodity Exchange to complete the visits. 

Following the completion of these visits using the Toolkit, a general Energy Efficiency Report II will be drafted by national and international experts. Finally on 2026 the experts are expected to finalise the data analysis to issue the comprehensive report.