Derya Koçman, Dedecan Aslan
Get in Touch : https://www.instagram.com/re.life_natural/
Re-Life Project stands out for its innovative and socially impactful approach to sustainability and women’s empowerment in Türkiye. By utilizing locally grown plants such as lemon, basil, and geranium to produce natural, chemical-free products like soaps and essential oils, the project promotes zero-waste practices and responsible production. It did not only support environmental goals but also served as a platform for women to develop practical skills in areas such as production, packaging, marketing, and social media. The project promoted female economic participation and entrepreneurship, offering opportunities to gain experience in building and managing a social enterprise.
Strategic collaborations; particularly with organizations such as KAGİDEM, a women’s entrepreneurship association enabled the project to reach women in need of training, tools, and guidance. Women volunteers actively participated in all stages of the initiative, including the production and packaging of soaps and oils. A dedicated workshop on product packaging was organized to improve presentation and market readiness. Awareness was raised through local events and social media campaigns, generating positive feedback and attracting attention from both environmentally conscious consumers and local stakeholders. These efforts significantly strengthened the visibility and credibility of the project within the community.
Re-Life aimed to evolve into a sustainable social enterprise model rooted in community needs and local resources. By prioritizing locally sourced ingredients and environmentally friendly practices, the project did not only offers high-quality natural alternatives to consumers but also supports local farmers and small-scale producers. Its focused on the use of indigenous herbs and natural elements contributes to the promotion and expansion of Türkiye’s local product market.
Beyond production, the project provided a learning platform for women to explore social entrepreneurship. Through their involvement, participants gain not only practical experience but also a deeper understanding of business management, communication, and sustainable development. This empowerment extends beyond income generation, and it fostered awareness of financial independence and active engagement in professional life for the women involved in the activities. The project creates a supportive space for women to build confidence and develop their potential across various sectors.
We believe that we have a long-run strategy and we need support, but we still continue to learn and adapt through real-world experience by the lessons that we have learnt from this project. Rather than relying solely on theory, participants gained insights by managing production cycles, responding to challenges, and making decisions in a dynamic environment. Working closely with local organizations, entrepreneurs, and subject-matter experts, the team was building a deeper understanding of business strategies, sustainable growth, and market development. This experience helped shape a practical, community-based business model with long-term impact.
We believe that with the project, we were able to touch to the life of women who needs to gain economic dependence and autonomy and provided them with a simple idea to engage in the economic activity within the community.
