BigCat Research

Resilience Dynamics: Social and Economic Resilience

We comparatively analyzed the economic resilience of Syrian and Turkish women against crises. We offered evidence-based policy proposals compatible with United Nations methodology.

Client / partners: UN Women, Government of Japan

Year: 2020

Project type: International Social Research

Status: Completed

Project impact: Mass behaviors and economic adaptation analysis in crisis periods.

The UN Women and Habitat project reports 2.57 TL social return per 1 TL invested, based on 1,519 participants plus survey and focus group methods.

Background from public sources

Project and partners

The study covered the project "Strengthening the Social and Economic Stability and Resilience of Syrian and Host Community Women and Girls in Turkey". It was funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by UN Women in partnership with Habitat Association (Habitat Derneği). The project ran from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 in Istanbul and Izmir. Its target group was Syrian refugee women and girls and women from the host community. It aimed to build skills in financial awareness, entrepreneurship, career planning and technology and to strengthen social cohesion.[1][2]

Two programmes and participation

The project had two programmes. The Second Chance Education Programme offered Career Training and Life Skills Development training; the career training lasted 3 months, with Arabic interpretation for refugee participants. The Peace and Dialogue Building Programme included training on conflict management, gender equality and labour law, art workshops, an idea camp, child rights training for girls and a masculinity workshop for men. In total 1,519 people took part: 53% host community women, 40% refugee women, 4% men and 3% girls. Of these, 73% were in the Second Chance programme and 27% in the Peace and Dialogue programme.[1][2]

Research method

The project's social impact was measured with the Social Return on Investment (SROI) method. Stakeholders were identified, theories of change were built, and surveys and focus groups were then carried out. The sample was selected using maximum variation sampling, and surveys and interviews were run in Turkish and Arabic. According to the report, BigCat Research conducted the survey and focus group interviews. The survey had 112 respondents and the focus groups 38 participants.[1]

Findings

The report calculates a social return of 2.57 TL for every 1 TL invested in the project. The ratio was 2.67 TL for the Second Chance Education Programme and 2.35 TL for the Peace and Dialogue Building Programme. Value created was 822,927 TL in Career Training (SROI 2.82) and 1,080,312 TL in Life Skills training (SROI 2.56). The highest ratio, 3.19, was found in the art workshops for social cohesion. 78% of career training participants said it was their first certified training, and 63% of host community women said their view of refugees had changed. Participants asked for more practical and interactive sessions.[1]

Sources

  1. Habitat Derneği, Türkiye’deki Suriyeli ve Ev Sahibi Kadın ve Kız Çocuklarının Sosyal ve Ekonomik İstikrarı ve Dayanıklılığının Güçlendirilmesi Projesi 2. Şans Eğitim Programı ve Barış ve Diyalog İnşası Programları Sosyal Etki Analizi, 2023-06. Accessed 2026-10-15
  2. Habitat Derneği, Social and Economic Stabilization of Refugee Women and Adolescent Girls in Turkey, 2020-10-27. Accessed 2026-10-15