'Empowering Women with Top Sewing Workshop Project'

Initiated in 2017 under the auspices of Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University and coordinated by Assoc. Prof. Mehmet Öçal, the "Women's Hand Sewing Soccer Ball Project" has been successfully carried out. Within the scope of the project, women selected taking into account socio-economic parameters patiently sew 720 stitches for each soccer ball, not only gaining skills but also achieving their own economic independence.

Through the project, Turkey has regained its influence in the sector which was one of the top three countries in the world in soccer ball production until 30 years ago, but later turned into an importer. As of today, the number of female soccer ball sewing masters trained under the auspices of our university has exceeded 300, and over 1500 soccer balls are produced weekly in Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Soccer Ball Production Workshops by the female masters trained through the project. The project has become an important factor contributing to the achievement of the 2023 and 2053 visions embraced by our country, due to its multi-dimensional benefits such as providing added value through female employment, social inclusion, and even reducing the current account deficit.