Social Entrepreneurship of Refugee-Owned Businesses in Türkiye
This report examines how social entrepreneurship is understood and practiced among immigrant and refugee communities in Türkiye. Social entrepreneurship, as defined by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is a business model that balances profitability with the pursuit of social or environmental benefits. Türkiye’s growing interest in social entrepreneurship reflects its role as host to the world’s largest refugee population—3.6 million people—where social enterprises can help spur job creation and enhance community resilience.
Through interviews and surveys with over 200 participants, the study finds that the concept of social entrepreneurship is not well understood within the refugee entrepreneurial ecosystem in Türkiye. This lack of clarity, along with practical challenges such as legal barriers, instability in conflict-affected populations, and limited support systems, hinders the full application of social entrepreneurship. Nonetheless, entrepreneurs demonstrate a strong willingness to create meaningful social impact. The report concludes by recommending specialized training, incubation programs, and stronger collaboration among local government institutions, NGOs, investment firms, and entrepreneurial networks to better equip social entrepreneurs and promote sustainable outcomes for both refugees and host communities.