Established in 2005 under the leadership of the Kocaeli Chamber of Industry, Bizimköy aims to empower people with disabilities by integrating them into the workforce and enabling them to meet their own economic needs. The center was built on a 72-decare land donated by philanthropist Beatrice Bruningen and operates as a foundation in partnership with the Turkish Mothers Association and Istanbul International Lions Club.
With the support of local institutions such as the Kocaeli Governorship, Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality, Kocaeli University, and İŞKUR, Bizimköy provides vocational training, social rehabilitation, and employment opportunities. Today, it employs 143 people—135 of whom are individuals with disabilities—across various departments.
Key production areas include:
- Garment Manufacturing: 700,000 t-shirts produced annually, 98% exported
- Mushroom Cultivation: 120 tons per year
- Greenhouse & Open-Field Farming: Seasonal fruits, vegetables, and flowers
Bizimköy stands as a model for inclusive production and social responsibility.
Awards & Recognitions:
- Best EU Project Award (2006)
- Most Successful NGO Award, Kocaeli Doruktakiler (2008 & 2013)
- Export Stars Special Award, Dünya Newspaper (2010 & 2013)
- Achievement Plaque, awarded by the Social Security Institution (2013)
- Successful Taxpayers Award (2014)
- Sectoral Performance Jury Special Award, by Kocaeli Chamber of Industry (2014)
- In 2015, Bizimköy – Production and Rehabilitation Center for People with Disabilities was selected as the “Best Job Creation and Business Development Project” by the World Chambers Federation (WCF) of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). The project competed with 79 entries from 39 countries.