Founded six years ago by seven women partners, the Alaşehir Women’s Cooperative aims to enhance women's participation in the economy, preserve local values, and contribute to sustainable development. The cooperative's core mission is to make women’s labor visible and increase the added value of local products to benefit both society and the environment. Its vision is to become a model women’s cooperative—recognized both nationally and internationally—that grows through solidarity and contributes to climate action and environmental sustainability.
The cooperative’s journey began with the transformation of its shared space into a small restaurant offering traditional breakfasts, homemade jams, sauces, and pastries. Following a temporary pause during the pandemic, the cooperative redirected its focus toward production, working to promote the unique agricultural products of the Alaşehir Plain.
Initial products included “Sultaniye” dried grapes and preserved vine leaves, carefully prepared using traditional methods. Despite budget limitations, the products were brought to market with significant effort and dedication. The cooperative also actively participated in trade fairs and local markets, prepared gift packages for institutions, and reached consumers through e-commerce platforms.
Currently, the cooperative offers a range of seven products, all produced traditionally in its own preserved vine leaf facility. A workshop was also established to better utilize women’s labor. Products are available both in physical stores and online. The cooperative now has 50 women partners and continues to serve as a strong example of solidarity-based economic development.
In addition to production, the cooperative also conducts educational programs, workshops, and local projects targeting women, youth, and farmers. These initiatives aim to raise awareness on climate change, reduce environmental impacts, and build local resilience. Collaboration with local governments and stakeholders is ongoing to promote awareness around climate finance and green investments.
Looking ahead, the cooperative plans to expand its operations by establishing a fruit and vegetable drying facility powered by geothermal energy and to enter international markets. It also aims to develop by-products such as grape seed oil, grape seed powder, sugar-free grape lokum (köfter), and date-based sweets. These efforts support sustainable agricultural production. By identifying local challenges related to climate adaptation, the cooperative also seeks to generate solutions that enhance community-wide sustainability.