European Project Management Ltd. has started implementing the EuropeAid project contract “Technical Assistance for for the Establishment of Rize Tea Research and Application Centre (TRAC)” in Turkey together with WYG Türkiye (Turkey), WYG International Limited (UK) and INCATEMA Consulting & Engineering S.L. (Spain) in a consortium led by the Project Group (Turkey).

Project Title: Technical Assistance for for the Establishment of Rize Tea Research and Application Centre (TRAC)

Publication Reference: EuropeAid/131426/IH/SER/TR

Value of the Contract: 1 800 500 EUR

The purpose of the project is to improve the common R&D, innovation and business development infrastructure that will be used by the tea producer SMEs in Rize and its environs. The project is composed of three components:

• Improvement of the Institutional Capacity of the End Recipient of Assistance (ERA) and Tea Research and Application Centre (TRAC): This involves (a) development of a strategic framework that will enhance competitiveness of the tea industry; (b) preparation of business plans, service delivery manuals, a corporate plan etc. for TRAC and its departments; and (c) operationalisation of the TRAC.
• Increasing the Productivity and Product Quality of the Tea Producing SMEs: a) conducting strategic research and studies that would enhance productivity and product quality, b) providing technical assistance to TRAC’s R&D and Training and Consultancy Departments in delivery of business development services to the target groups of the Project.
• Increasing the Marketing Capabilities of the Tea Producing SMEs: improve the marketing capabilities of tea producing SMEs through both collective (regional) and enterprise-level initiatives.