In 2025, a comprehensive program was implemented in cooperation with EİB and EYKA to strengthen effective and trust-based communication with rights holders and other stakeholders across the value chain. Within this scope, the industry’s commitments to the protection of human and labor rights, compliance expectations, and key messages were communicated clearly and transparently to farmers,
workers, and other stakeholders.

This initiative aims to promote a working culture that supports long-term worker well-being and social compliance, and to reinforce transparent, reliable, and equitable communication among tobacco workers, farmers, and local community members.

In the Kale and Tavas regions, awareness trainings covering the following topics were delivered through a participatory and interactive learning approach:

• Fair Production Chain
• Fundamental Human and Labor Rights
• Child Labour
• Occupational Health and Safety Practices in Agriculture
• Equal Participation of Women in Working Life
• Rights and Responsibilities

22 October 2025 – Kale: 3 groups, 96 participants
23 October 2025 – Tavas: 3 groups, 82 participants

Participants were provided with tote bags and hats featuring QR codes that enable access to the information document (Farmer and Agricultural Worker Working Conditions Information Form, https://turkishtobacco.org/en/reducing-input-costs-and-improving-livelihood-standards/).

At the end of each session, EYKA contacted participants to conduct effectiveness evaluations of the trainings and to collect participants’ survey responses and feedback. To assess the retention of knowledge, participants were contacted again after a planned period of time. The feedback collected was consolidated and presented in a report including training effectiveness evaluations, results, and recommendations.

These and similar initiatives are considered highly important for increasing awareness of rights and responsibilities across the agricultural value chain, strengthening safe working practices, supporting gender equality, and enhancing communication within the supply chain. The industry will continue its efforts in this area to create greater impact.