This year, the EIT Community Hub Türkiye was launched in Ankara. The new hub aims to foster collaboration, support innovation and further integrate Türkiye into the European innovation landscape. The Hub was established through a collaboration between  TÜBİTAK, Fark Labs and Sabancı University, marking a major step in strengthening Türkiye’s role in global innovation and entrepreneurship.  

The event brought together key stakeholders from entrepreneurship, research and industry, paving the way for new opportunities in technological advancements. Representatives from EIT Manufacturing, as well as EIT Urban Mobility, EIT Food, EIT InnoEnergy and EIT Health actively engaged with major players in Türkiye’s innovation ecosystem. 

Panel discussion: Strengthening Türkiye’s role in the European ecosystem 

Dr Vivian Sophou, Senior Business Development and Innovation Manager at EIT Manufacturing South East, participated in Panel 2: “Collaboration and Growth with EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) in Türkiye”. Discussions focused on Türkiye’s role in green energy transition, as well as funding and investment needs of the agricultural and health industries in Türkiye. 

Dr Sophou highlighted the importance of advanced manufacturing processes, automation and sustainable production in driving economic growth and technological progress. She also emphasised the importance of cross-border collaborations to integrate Türkiye’s industrial potential into Europe’s broader innovation ecosystem. 

“Advanced manufacturing, automation and sustainable production are not just technological trends they are essential pillars of economic resilience and industrial leadership. By fostering cross-border collaboration, we can unlock Türkiye’s immense industrial potential and connect it meaningfully with Europe’s innovation landscape,” highlighted Dr Sophou.

Driving innovation in Türkiye 

Manufacturing accounts for ~22 % of Türkiye’s economy and provides 18 % of all jobs (~15–16 million). Around 241,000 companies are operating in the sector, of which over 99 % are small businesses (micro & SMEs). The country’s strength lies in automotive, textiles/apparel, and machinery & electronics sectors. With innovation and collaboration, the sector is well placed to achieve meaningful growth and strengthen its contribution to the economy and society. 

EIT Manufacturing South East has actively contributed to the innovation landscape in Türkiye through key initiatives and strong industry engagement. In June 2024 it organized the Access2Tech Europe in Istanbul, followed by a second successful edition in Izmir in May 2025, both aimed at fostering cross-border collaboration and accelerating technology adoption in manufacturing. Türkiye’s robust industrial base has been well represented in EIT Manufacturing South East’s ecosystem, with leading companies such as Mercedes Benz TR, Ford, TOFAŞ Türk Otomobil Fabrikası, Farel and Farplas playing active roles in collaborative projects and innovation activities.

Türkiye’s dynamic manufacturing sector and strategic position make it a vital partner in driving innovation, sustainability and competitiveness across the broader European industrial ecosystem.