On Thursday, 4 December 2025, H.E. the Ambassador of Malta to Türkiye, Dr. Marisa Farrugia, and Mr. Charles Calleja, the First Secretary at the Embassy of Malta in Ankara visited the Hemdem Women’s Cooperative in Sultanbeyli, Istanbul. This monitoring visit formed part of Malta’s ongoing commitment to supporting women’s empowerment and migrant integration through its Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) program.

During their visit, Ambassador Farrugia and Mr. Calleja were warmly welcomed by Mr. Halil Ibrahim Akinci, Chair of the Board of Mülteciler Derneği, Ms. Burcu Ozlem Dag, Project Officer, and Ms. Yasemin Sayilgan, Sales Representative — all key representatives of Hemdem Women’s Cooperative and Mülteciler Derneği, the organization managing the cooperative. The visit offered an insightful opportunity to witness firsthand the substantial progress made since Malta’s initial support and to engage directly with the women whose lives have been positively transformed by the project.

Ambassador Farrugia and Mr. Calleja toured the six-storey multi-purpose facility, which houses not only the Hemdem Kitchen Project, but also a Food Bank, healthcare clinics, legal and registration services, and classrooms for Syrian migrant children. The building, owned by Sultanbeyli Municipality in Istanbul, Türkiye, and which houses Mülteciler Derneği, stands as a testament to comprehensive support for migrants and refugees in Istanbul.

In her remarks, Ambassador Farrugia highlighted the significant achievements of the Hemdem project over the past year. Through Malta’s support, Hemdem has increased its sales by over 40% in 2025, expanded employment from 45 to 70 women, offering the women an opportunity to put their skills into practice and access to income opportunities.  She emphasized the importance of women’s economic independence, thanks to entering the labor market with Hemdem.

Ambassador Farrugia further commended the dedication of Hemdem’s staff and the positive impact of the project on social cohesion. “The partnership between Malta, Hemdem, and Mülteciler Derneği exemplifies how targeted support can empower women, foster integration, and create sustainable opportunities. The recognition of Malta’s contribution, now visible throughout the facility, reflects our shared commitment and partnership.” The visit also included an interactive session with Hemdem’s leadership and staff, where the key achievements of the project and challenges where discussed.

The monitoring visit by Ambassador Farrugia and First Secretary Calleja underscores Malta’s ongoing steadfastness to supporting inclusive development and women’s empowerment in Türkiye. The Embassy welcomed the collaboration with Hemdem, Mülteciler Derneği, and local partners, and further encourages them to build on these achievements and address future challenges.