More working mothers to receive financial support in big Turkish cities

Türkiye has expanded financial assistance for working mothers through “Supporting Registered Employment of Women through Promoting Educated Child-Caregivers (EDU-CARE II)”.

The project, funded by the European Union, helps mothers remain in the workforce and ensures children receive care from trained professionals.

Financial support for working mothers increased, making easier to afford childcare

The Social Security Institution (SGK) raised monthly financial aid for working mothers who hire trained childcare providers.

The support, which was previously 340 euros, now stands at 535 euros per month.

The program applies to full-time and part-time working mothers covered under 4/a (SSK) insurance in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir.

Mothers who meet the criteria can receive the following amounts:

• Full-time working mothers: $535 (₺18,926)
• Single mothers or those with special needs children: $590 (₺20,779)
• Part-time working mothers: $265 (₺9,462)
• Single mothers or those with special needs children working part-time: $320 (₺11,317)

Working mothers must meet specific requirements, apply through e-Devlet or SGK

To qualify, mothers must have a child between 0 and 36 months, live in one of the three designated cities, and be employed at the time of final registration.

The caregiver must also meet the program’s conditions, including being over 18, residing in the same city as the mother, and holding a childcare-related certificate from an approved institution. Caregivers cannot be immediate family members.

Mothers can apply through the e-Devlet system or the SGK website. They must register online, open a bank account at Türkiye Halk Bankasi, and submit the necessary documents.

EDUCARE II program keeps Turkish mothers in workforce, increases employment

With a budget of approximately $16 million, the EDUCARE II program supports 3,500 mothers and 3,500 trained caregivers each month.

The initiative helps more women keep their jobs while also increasing formal employment opportunities in childcare.

Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Isikhan emphasized the program’s impact, saying, “EDUCARE II ensures that mothers stay in the workforce while also creating jobs for trained and certified childcare professionals.

This program benefits mothers, children, and caregivers at the same time.”

Currently, the program is only available in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, but officials are considering expanding it across the country.

They are assessing the program’s effectiveness before deciding on a nationwide rollout.

The project is part of Türkiye’s broader efforts to support women’s employment through initiatives like “Work Positive” (Is Pozitif) and “Women-Up.”