\n— Social Responsibility<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
TECHNOLOGY<\/h4>\n
Supply Chain <\/a><\/span> Team<\/a><\/span> Our passion for creating the highest quality product goes hand in hand with BALSU\u2019s principles of social responsibility. We have a set of guidelines embedded in our company DNA that represent our dedication to the people we serve and work with, the communities in which we operate and to the planet to which we belong.”][vc_column_text]Giving social responsibilities precedence over financial goals, BALSU is committed to fulfilling all of its duties by offering the clients products of the highest quality and freshness. Meanwhile it is ensured that raw materials are responsibly sourced and the environmental impact is minimized through innovative and good agricultural practices. Furthermore, local communities are developed through numerous projects undertaken in collaboration with the relevant ministries, local and international NGOs, universities and other stakeholders.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”<\/p>\n BALSU takes a multi-sided approach to driving sustainability in the supply chain by promoting social, economic and environmental sustainability, product traceability, and occupational health and safety measures. We are committed to working with suppliers that support our principles of social responsibility through continuous improvement.”][vc_column_text]In accordance with our mission to develop local villages socially, economically and culturally, we initiate various training programs for farmers. We provide education on good agricultural practices to sustainably increase yield, quality and income, and encourage ethical recruitment processes in the field level.<\/p>\n With the conviction that every child should be protected from any form of exploitation, our Founder have established “Gen\u00e7 Hayat Foundation<\/a>” in 2008 to tackle the root causes of child labour in Turkey. Through the foundation\u2019s \u201cIn A Nutshell\u201d project we opened summer schools that improve children academically, as well as socially to prevent them from working in hazelnut gardens. Keeping in mind that 1 out of every 2 child workers drops out of school completely, we provide the children in our project with financial aid for each school year whilst tracking their attendance in order to maintain their academic development. We also provide them food, school supplies, and hygienic product aid packages.<\/p>\n We support the abolition of the exploitation of child labour, forced labour and coercive labour throughout our entire production chain. We do this through legal means, close ties with local communities and regular monitoring of suppliers, aiming to act as a sustainable development engine for these local communities.<\/p>\n While addressing systemic issues like child labour that requires a multi-stakeholder approach, we partner with the government, the industry, our clients, NGOs and academia; we develop supply chain trainings; promote community capacity building and investment in order to:<\/p>\n – Protect human and children rights We go beyond monitoring workers\u2019 rights and working conditions in supply chains to meet their human rights obligations. We make a difference in the lives of workers and farmers, and their families by actively seeking out and implementing the solutions that work best.”][vc_column_text]Since 2010, we have been supporting hazelnut farmers and seasonal workers, and improving conditions in the hazelnut supply chain in line with our commitment to creating the highest standards for the people we work with and the communities we operate. Our project titled “Improvement of Living and Working Conditions of Seasonal Agriculture Workers and Prevention of Child Labour” has been awarded the Jury\u2019s Special Award at the Corporate Social Responsibility Award Ceremony organized by the Turkish Employers\u2019 Union in 2019. [\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”top” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7537″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7538″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7539″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7696″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”<\/p>\n We open summer schools in hazelnut sourcing villages for children between 5-15 ages in cooperation with the Gen\u00e7 Hayat Foundation. According to the social impact assessment conducted by Fair Labor Association in 2018, we have achieved both an increase in the number of children attending summer schools since their establishment in 2014 and a downward trend in the number of children working in the hazelnut gardens.”][vc_column_text]The children of seasonal agricultural workers often suffer academically, especially during the busy harvest season. Summer schools fill a gap by providing a safe environment where children are supervised and their basic needs are covered while family members work in the hazelnut gardens. We have also developed incentives (scholarship programs, activities in accordance to their age etc.) to attract and secure the attendance of children within the risk group (ages 13-15 ).<\/p>\n Moreover, we have been working with International Labour Organization since 2018 to benefit from various project models and diversify our use of resources.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”top” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7563″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7564″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7565″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7566″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”<\/p>\n BALSU\u2019s Strong Women, Strong Agriculture program occupies a unique place among our initiatives. We have aimed to reach more women to combat child labour with this project.”][vc_column_text]The training programs in the project are promoting the well-being of the local community, as well as contributing to social compliance topics. It has been demonstrated that female farmers, who are empowered in economic and social life, become leaders for sustainable development and are representatives of change. We are committed to expand the project within different regions in cooperation with relevant stakeholders.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”top” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7546″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7547″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7548″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7720″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”<\/p>\n We are happy to share our experiences and program details transparently with all the stakeholders. We believe that systemic sectoral reforms can only be achieved through working together.”][vc_column_text]We aim to contribute responsible sourcing activities of hazelnuts in the Black Sea region through engagement with multi-stakeholders. Protocols have been initiated with universities, hazelnut exporters associations, local governments, municipalities and the chamber of commerce. [\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”top” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7550″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7693″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7694″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7695″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”<\/p>\n We support farmers to improve farming practices for conserving natural ecosystems, improve climate adaptation and resilience.”][vc_column_text]Hazelnuts are strongly affected by climate change and although the carbon footprint of the hazelnut production is low, it can still give way to environmental problems. Farmers are provided with best training to increase the yield and quality, reduce pollution to the environment, and increase biodiversity. [\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”top” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7551″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7552″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7718″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7719″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”<\/p>\n BALSU\u2019s agricultural engineers and social experts work with passion to improve the working and living conditions of the hazelnut workers and the agricultural practices of the farmers.”][vc_column_text]Through practical training sessions on the field (e.g. show pruning or impact of GAP) we provide assistance for individual needs and increase the adoption rates of farmers. Model farms are encouraged in order to show the farmers the effect of the application of good agricultural and environmental practices and integrated pest management. We encourage farmers to implement agricultural practices in a scientific manner and use data analysis in order to reduce input costs and increase the yield and quality of the products.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”top” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7553″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7554″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7555″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7556″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”<\/p>\n At BALSU we have set up meteorological stations that measure the parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind, rainfall, leaf and soil moisture in \u201cmodel gardens.\u201d”][vc_column_text]These stations, which enable farmers to make informed decisions about crops and field activities, will be strengthened with a software program to activate early warning systems.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”top” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7558″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7688″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7689″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7687″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”<\/p>\n We have been offering farmers, workers and families the best information and training about occupational health & safety since 2014. Personal protective equipment, hygiene kits and first aid kits are also regularly being distributed.”][vc_column_text]Our progress goals include; transportation of seasonal agricultural workers, struggle against chemical wastes in villages, implementation of BALSU’s OHS procedures in hazelnuts farms, access to clean water, conformity of OHS standards to accommodation areas of workers.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”top” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7559″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7560″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7561″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7721″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”<\/p>\n All purchased materials are categorically identified. For each production line a product recipe is prepared in accordance with the traceability reference number initially identified.”][vc_column_text]We employ end-to-end traceability; from raw materials to finished goods and from finished goods to raw materials.<\/p>\n Hazelnut deliveries are traceable back to the farm level with certified farmers. Balsu collects farmer baseline information and keeps record of the data (farmer’s name, contact number, estimated production, address, GPS data, production information on input use, calibration, yield and quality measurements, harvest profile, workers’ information). which enables to enrich our improvement programs on the field. [\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”top” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7562″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7690″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7691″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7692″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”<\/p>\n We are improving our internal management programs and remediation interventions depending on continuous assessments made within sustainability projects.”][vc_column_text]BALSU is a Rainforest member since 2014. Every Rainforest certified product is grown in accordance with the Code of Conduct, which sets guidelines for better farming methods and working conditions, as well as better care for nature and for future generations. To ensure compliance with the Code, all producers are subjected to a regular check by independent auditors. Upon approval farmers are granted a certification, which means they can sell their products as Rainforest certified, and all sales are recorded in the Rainforest certified traceability systems. The Code of Conduct is based on a model of continuous improvement. From year one, the hazelnut farmers have to fulfil core criteria concerning safety, farm management and record keeping, employees and environmental protection.<\/p>\n BALSU is affiliated with the Fair Labour Association since 2013. As being an affiliated supplier in the FLA\u2019s program, we believe that all goods should be produced fairly, ethically and industries should find sustainable solutions to systemic labour issues. Since 1999, FLA has helped improve workers’ lives by holding affiliated companies accountable for implementing FLA\u2019s Code of Conduct across their supply chains. We conduct annual third party internal and external assessments as part of the FLA affiliation program, so that our customers can be assured of the integrity of the products they buy.<\/p>\n We certify farmers under the Turkish Good Agriculture Practices standards and requirements in terms of hazelnut safety, quality, environmental management and workers\u2019 health and safety with the Turkish GAP certification provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest since 2016. Good Agricultural Practices are a form of agricultural production aimed at manufacturing an environment, human and animal health friendly agricultural product. The product must also adhere to the protection of natural resources, traceability in agriculture, sustainability and food safety regulations. Within this certification scheme, farmers receive state supported grants per decare. Our passion for creating the highest quality product goes hand in hand with BALSU\u2019s principles of social responsibility. A set of guidelines embedded in our company DNA that represent our dedication to the people we serve and work with, the communities in which we operate and to the planet to which we belong.<\/p>\n Giving social responsibilities precedence over financial goals, BALSU is committed to fulfilling all of its duties by offering clients products of the highest quality and freshness. Meanwhile ensuring that raw materials are responsibly sourced, environmental impact is minimized through innovative and good agricultural practices. Furthermore, ensuring that local communities are developed through numerous projects undertaken in collaboration with the relevant ministries, local and international NGOs, universities and other stakeholders.<\/p>\n BALSU takes a multi-sided approach to driving sustainability in the supply chain by promoting social, economic and environmental sustainability, product traceability and occupational health and safety measures.<\/p>\n In accordance with our mission to develop local villages socially, economically and culturally, we initiate various trainings programs for Villagers. We provide education on good agricultural practices to sustainably increase yield, quality and income and encourage ethical recruitment processes in the field level.<\/p>\n With the conviction that every child should be protected from any form of exploitation, we have established our Founder’s family foundation \u201cYoung Lives Foundation<\/a>\u201d (Gen\u00e7 Hayat Vakf\u0131<\/a>) in 2008 to tackle the root causes of child labor in Turkey. Through Young Lives Foundation’s \u201cIn A Nutshell\u201d project we opened summer schools that empower children academically as well as socially to prevent them from working in hazelnut gardens. Keeping in mind that 1 out of every 2 child laborer drops out of school completely, we provided the children in our project with financial aid for each school year whilst tracking their attendance in order to maintain their academic development. We also provided them with food, school supplies, and hygienic product aid packages.<\/p>\n BALSU only sources products from suppliers that adhere to its values by fulfilling terms regarding the working and living conditions of workers. We support the abolition of the exploitation of child labor and forced labor and coercive labor throughout our entire production chain. We do this through legal means, close ties with local communities and regular monitoring of suppliers, aiming to act as a sustainable development engine for these local communities.<\/p>\n While addressing systemic issues like child labor that requires a multi-stakeholder approach, we are working together on this with companies, farmers, labor contractors, local and national government, civil societies and academia. Since 2010, we have been supporting hazelnut farmers and seasonal workers, and improving conditions in the hazelnut supply chain in line with our commitment to creating the highest standards for the people we work with, the communities we operate with and our planet.<\/p>\n Partnering with the government, the industry, our clients, NGOs and academia, we develop supply chain trainings, promote community capacity building and investment in order to:<\/p>\n BALSU is working with all relevant stakeholders and provides essential training to workers and labor contractors in the hazelnut supply chain. Our “Improvement of Living and Working Conditions of Seasonal Agriculture Workers and Prevention of Child Labor” project has been awarded the Jury\u2019s Special Award at the Corporate Social Responsibility Award Ceremony organized by the Turkish Employer\u2019s Union in 2019.<\/p>\n The children of seasonal agricultural workers often suffer academically, especially during the busy harvest. In partnership with the Young Lives Foundation, we open summer schools in hazelnut sourcing villages for children between aged 5-15 years old. We have developed incentives (scholarship program, activity in accordance to their age etc.) for attracting and securing the attendance of children at risk group which is 13-15 years old.<\/p>\n Moreover, we continue to work with ILO since 2018 to benefit from various project models and diversify our use of resources.<\/p>\n BALSU\u2019s Strong Women, Strong Agriculture program occupies a unique place among interventions. While the trainings are promoting the well-being of the local community, they also contribute to social compliance topics. It has been demonstrated that women farmers, who are empowered in economic and social life, become leaders for sustainable development and are representatives of change. We promise to expand the project within different regions in cooperation with relevant stakeholders.<\/p>\n In BALSU, we aim to contribute responsible sourcing activities of hazelnuts in the black sea region through engagement with multi-stakeholders. Protocols have been placed with the universities, hazelnut exporters associations, local governments, municipalities and the chamber of commerce.<\/p>\n Hazelnuts are strongly affected by climate change and although the carbon footprint of the hazelnut is low it can still become a part of environmental problems. We support farmers to improve farming practices for conserving natural ecosystems.<\/p>\n BALSU\u2019s agricultural engineers support hazelnut farmers through farmer coaching. We encourage farmers to implement agricultural practices in a scientific manner and after using data analysis so that input costs could be reduced while the yield and quality of the product are increased.<\/p>\n At BALSU we have placed meteorological stations that measure the parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind, rainfall, leaf and soil moisture in \u201cmodel gardens\u201d. These stations which enable farmers to make informed decisions about crops and field activities will be strengthened with a software program to activate early warning systems.<\/p>\n Farmers, workers and families have been provided good social practices and occupational health and safety trainings since the year 2014. Personal protective equipment\u2019s are also regularly being distributed.<\/p>\n We are improving our internal management programs and remediation interventions continually based on the assessments made on the sustainability projects.<\/p>\n BALSU is a Rainforest member since 2014. Every Rainforest certified product is grown in accordance with the Code of Conduct, which sets guidelines for better farming methods and working conditions, as well as better care for nature and for future generations. To ensure compliance with the Code, all producers receive a regular check from independent auditors.<\/p>\n Approval results in certification, which means farmers can sell their products as Rainforest certified, and all sales are recorded in the Rainforest certified traceability systems. The Code of Conduct is based on a model of continuous improvement. From year one, the hazelnut farmers have to fulfil core criteria concerning safety, farm management and record keeping, employees and environmental protection.<\/p>\n BALSU is affiliated with the Fair Labor Association since the year 2013. As being an affiliated supplier in the FLA\u2019s program, we believe that all goods should be produced fairly, ethically and industries should find sustainable solutions to systemic labor issues. Since 1999, FLA has helped improve workers’ lives by: Holding affiliated companies accountable for implementing FLA\u2019s Code of Conduct across their supply chains. We conduct annual third party internal and external assessments as part of the FLA affiliation program so that our customers can be assured of the integrity of the products they buy.<\/p>\n We certify farmers under the Turkish Good Agriculture Practices standards and requirements in relation to hazelnut safety, quality, environmental management and workers\u2019 health and safety with the Turkish GAP certification provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest since 2016. Good Agricultural Practices are a form of agricultural production aimed at making an agricultural product that does not harm the environment, human and animal health. It also must adhere to the protection of natural resources, traceability in agriculture, sustainability and food safety. Within this certification scheme, farmers receive state supported grants per decar.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner content_placement=”top” disable_element=”yes” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” top_margin=”150″ constrain_group_1=”yes” bottom_margin=”50″ background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1614006224333{margin-right: 16px !important;}”]\n Our passion for creating the highest quality product goes hand in hand with BALSU\u2019s principles of social responsibility. A set of guidelines embedded in our company DNA that represent our dedication to the people we serve and work with, the communities in which we operate and to the planet to which we belong.<\/p>\n Giving social responsibilities precedence over financial goals, BALSU is committed to fulfilling all of its duties by offering clients products of the highest quality and freshness. Meanwhile ensuring that raw materials are responsibly sourced, environmental impact is minimized through innovative and good agricultural practices. Furthermore, ensuring that local communities are developed through numerous projects undertaken in collaboration with the relevant ministries, local and international NGOs, universities and other stakeholders.<\/p>\n BALSU takes a multi-sided approach to driving sustainability in the supply chain by promoting social, economic and environmental sustainability, product traceability and occupational health and safety measures.<\/p>\n In accordance with our mission to develop local villages socially, economically and culturally, we initiate various trainings programs for Villagers. We provide education on good agricultural practices to sustainably increase yield, quality and income and encourage ethical recruitment processes in the field level.<\/p>\n With the conviction that every child should be protected from any form of exploitation, we have established our Founder’s family foundation \u201cYoung Lives Foundation<\/a>\u201d (Gen\u00e7 Hayat Vakf\u0131<\/a>) in 2008 to tackle the root causes of child labor in Turkey. Through Young Lives Foundation’s \u201cIn A Nutshell\u201d project we opened summer schools that empower children academically as well as socially to prevent them from working in hazelnut gardens. Keeping in mind that 1 out of every 2 child laborer drops out of school completely, we provided the children in our project with financial aid for each school year whilst tracking their attendance in order to maintain their academic development. We also provided them with food, school supplies, and hygienic product aid packages.<\/p>\n BALSU only sources products from suppliers that adhere to its values by fulfilling terms regarding the working and living conditions of workers. We support the abolition of the exploitation of child labor and forced labor and coercive labor throughout our entire production chain. We do this through legal means, close ties with local communities and regular monitoring of suppliers, aiming to act as a sustainable development engine for these local communities.<\/p>\n While addressing systemic issues like child labor that requires a multi-stakeholder approach, we are working together on this with companies, farmers, labor contractors, local and national government, civil societies and academia. Since 2010, we have been supporting hazelnut farmers and seasonal workers, and improving conditions in the hazelnut supply chain in line with our commitment to creating the highest standards for the people we work with, the communities we operate with and our planet.<\/p>\n Partnering with the government, the industry, our clients, NGOs and academia, we develop supply chain trainings, promote community capacity building and investment in order to:<\/p>\n BALSU is working with all relevant stakeholders and provides essential training to workers and labor contractors in the hazelnut supply chain. Our “Improvement of Living and Working Conditions of Seasonal Agriculture Workers and Prevention of Child Labor” project has been awarded the Jury\u2019s Special Award at the Corporate Social Responsibility Award Ceremony organized by the Turkish Employer\u2019s Union in 2019.<\/p>\n The children of seasonal agricultural workers often suffer academically, especially during the busy harvest. In partnership with the Young Lives Foundation, we open summer schools in hazelnut sourcing villages for children between aged 5-15 years old. We have developed incentives (scholarship program, activity in accordance to their age etc.) for attracting and securing the attendance of children at risk group which is 13-15 years old.<\/p>\n Moreover, we continue to work with ILO since 2018 to benefit from various project models and diversify our use of resources.<\/p>\n BALSU\u2019s Strong Women, Strong Agriculture program occupies a unique place among interventions. While the trainings are promoting the well-being of the local community, they also contribute to social compliance topics. It has been demonstrated that women farmers, who are empowered in economic and social life, become leaders for sustainable development and are representatives of change. We promise to expand the project within different regions in cooperation with relevant stakeholders.<\/p>\n In BALSU, we aim to contribute responsible sourcing activities of hazelnuts in the black sea region through engagement with multi-stakeholders. Protocols have been placed with the universities, hazelnut exporters associations, local governments, municipalities and the chamber of commerce.<\/p>\n Hazelnuts are strongly affected by climate change and although the carbon footprint of the hazelnut is low it can still become a part of environmental problems. We support farmers to improve farming practices for conserving natural ecosystems.<\/p>\n BALSU\u2019s agricultural engineers support hazelnut farmers through farmer coaching. We encourage farmers to implement agricultural practices in a scientific manner and after using data analysis so that input costs could be reduced while the yield and quality of the product are increased.<\/p>\n At BALSU we have placed meteorological stations that measure the parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind, rainfall, leaf and soil moisture in \u201cmodel gardens\u201d. These stations which enable farmers to make informed decisions about crops and field activities will be strengthened with a software program to activate early warning systems.<\/p>\n Farmers, workers and families have been provided good social practices and occupational health and safety trainings since the year 2014. Personal protective equipment\u2019s are also regularly being distributed.<\/p>\n We are improving our internal management programs and remediation interventions continually based on the assessments made on the sustainability projects.<\/p>\n BALSU is a Rainforest member since 2014. Every Rainforest certified product is grown in accordance with the Code of Conduct, which sets guidelines for better farming methods and working conditions, as well as better care for nature and for future generations. To ensure compliance with the Code, all producers receive a regular check from independent auditors.<\/p>\n Approval results in certification, which means farmers can sell their products as Rainforest certified, and all sales are recorded in the Rainforest certified traceability systems. The Code of Conduct is based on a model of continuous improvement. From year one, the hazelnut farmers have to fulfil core criteria concerning safety, farm management and record keeping, employees and environmental protection.<\/p>\n BALSU is affiliated with the Fair Labor Association since the year 2013. As being an affiliated supplier in the FLA\u2019s program, we believe that all goods should be produced fairly, ethically and industries should find sustainable solutions to systemic labor issues. Since 1999, FLA has helped improve workers’ lives by: Holding affiliated companies accountable for implementing FLA\u2019s Code of Conduct across their supply chains. We conduct annual third party internal and external assessments as part of the FLA affiliation program so that our customers can be assured of the integrity of the products they buy.<\/p>\n We certify farmers under the Turkish Good Agriculture Practices standards and requirements in relation to hazelnut safety, quality, environmental management and workers\u2019 health and safety with the Turkish GAP certification provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest since 2016. Good Agricultural Practices are a form of agricultural production aimed at making an agricultural product that does not harm the environment, human and animal health. It also must adhere to the protection of natural resources, traceability in agriculture, sustainability and food safety. Within this certification scheme, farmers receive state supported grants per decar.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner disable_element=”yes” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” bottom_margin=”100″ background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612337257576{margin-right: 16px !important;}”]\n Gen\u00e7 Hayat Foundation was founded in 2008, in Istanbul under the leadership of Zapsu Family. Acknowledging adolescence as the period during when the most intense psychological and physiological changes take place, the foundation defines its target group as the youth of ages 11-18. In this perspective, the foundation envisions and strives to bring up a youth well-equipped in life by focus on recognizing the young people’s talent and supporting their access to education with a non-discriminating, people-oriented approach.<\/p>\n Child Labor Prevention Program of Genc Hayat Foundation (Young Lives Foundation) began in 2014 with the project \u201cIn a Nutshell\u201d which was developed and implemented with the support of Balsu, in an effort to prevent child labor in hazelnut harvest.<\/p>\n Concerned about the rights and conditions of the children involved in the workforce and\/or seasonal migrational agricultural labor, Genc Hayat Foundation aimed at creating a model, which included the works of raising awareness and preventing the child labor, nationally and internationally, by designing the project \u201cIn a Nutshell\u201d.<\/p>\n The Foundation both carries out works to prevent the children from being employed in the harvest period, and performs protective-preventive activities in order to prevent child labor in the long term by taking part actively in the works, such as enabling the families to get decent employment that they deserve and to earn a regular income. This sustainable model that\u2019s established helps to achieve a safe and easy access to education and learning via non-formal training methods; encourages social cohesion, cross-cultural learning and collective living culture; and promotes the wellbeing of the child by means of methods such as offering a balanced\/sufficient nutrition and proper housing conditions.<\/p>\n Genc\u0327 Hayat has actively involved in child labor prevention activities in Du\u0308zce, Sakarya, Ordu, S\u0327anl\u0131urfa, S\u0327\u0131rnak and Mardin. Currently, GHF is expanding on Eskis\u0327ehir and Mersin fields for exploration and networking as well. The activities are revised in cases wherever necessary, following the impact analyses created.<\/p>\n Having realized the project \u201cIn a Nutshell\u201d in 2014 and 2015 with the support of Balsu Gida, Nestle, Lindt and Unilever, Genc Hayat began to receive the cooperation and support of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security(with a European Union-based fund) and Fair Labor Association (U.S. Department of Labor-based fund) in 2016.<\/p>\n So, the efforts that began as a project, turned into a Child Labor Prevention Program. In the first half of the 2018, Genc Hayat received funding from Fair Labor Association, collaborated with Balsu and Nestle, in order to enhance the application areas of the project and to promote sustainability of the program. Balsu and Nestle are still supporting Child Labor Prevention Program and Balsu is driving Sustainable Agriculture and Training Program of their corporation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Thanks to the close collaboration with the Ministry of Family, Social Services and Labor, Genc Hayat Foundation made a contribution with its on-site experience, to Child Labor Prevention National Action Plan prepared by the Ministry. In addition to that, the program established helped to expand the geographical territory across which the works are carried out and to increase the number of targeted participants.<\/p>\n Currently, Genc Hayat is implementing a project in Eskis\u0327ehir field with support of GIZ (funded by ECHO and BMZ) to raise awareness on child labor issues, bring knowledge of fundamental rights to seasonal migrant agricultural workers and supporting access to services and rights of Syrians under temporary protection and local groups. This project aims raising awareness on child labor, providing support for the improvement of working and living conditions of families working as seasonal agricultural workers in this region, conducting referral activities for families to access relevant public and non-governmental services in line with their needs and monitoring the school attendance of children at risk of child labor.<\/p>\n The Foundation monitors and analyses the efficiency of all the activities it performs and their impact on the target audience, thanks to the monitoring-assessment.<\/p>\n Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the Genc Hayat Foundation conducted fieldwork during the 2020 harvest season in Sakarya. With the cooperation GHF and Balsu, In a Nutshell\u201920 project has been successfully completed. Based on the safe space provision offered by the summer school model, an alternative model was developed to prevent children from going to the harvest field within the framework of In a Nutshell\u201920 project. A model was tested for the first time, in which the field team went to the children’s accommodation areas and held children’s workshops in small groups. GHF\u2019s partnership with Balsu to prevent child labor in hazelnut sector initiated six years ago and the cumulative results can be traced for each year\u2019s implementation. Within the scope of In a Nutshell\u201920 project, new implementation areas has been reached and previous experiences shared with new target groups.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”top” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]Copyright \u00a9 BALSU 2021. All rights reserved.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]Ki\u015fisel Verilerin Korunmas\u0131<\/span><\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”none” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” id=”start” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”padding-7-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”top” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ background_image=”6048″ background_image_position=”center top” column_shadow=”none”…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.balsugida.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6083"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.balsugida.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.balsugida.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.balsugida.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.balsugida.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6083"}],"version-history":[{"count":135,"href":"https:\/\/www.balsugida.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6083\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7744,"href":"https:\/\/www.balsugida.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6083\/revisions\/7744"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.balsugida.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6083"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nProduction<\/a><\/span>
\nQuality<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSERVICE<\/h4>\n
\nGroup<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”padding-3-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”left-right” top_margin=”104″ bottom_margin=”30″ left_margin=”0″ right_margin=”0″ background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”4\/5″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][toggles style=”minimal”][toggle color=”Default” title=”<\/p>\nSocial responsibility<\/h4>\n
Sustainability<\/h4>\n
\n– Sustainably increase crop and yield
\n– Preserve the environment[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”<\/p>\nRaising awareness for workers\u2019 rights in Turkey<\/h4>\n
Getting children off the fields<\/h4>\n
Empowering women through developing their skills<\/h4>\n
Engaging with stakeholders<\/h4>\n
Caring for the environment<\/h4>\n
Farmer programs<\/h4>\n
Steps towards precision farming<\/h4>\n
Occupational health and safety<\/h4>\n
Traceability<\/h4>\n
Verification and Continuous Progress<\/h4>\n
\n[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][\/toggles][vc_row_inner content_placement=”top” disable_element=”yes” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” top_margin=”150″ constrain_group_1=”yes” bottom_margin=”50″ background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1614006224333{margin-right: 16px !important;}”]\nSocial Responsibility<\/h4>\n
Sustainability<\/h4>\n
\n
Raising the awareness of workers\u2019 rights in Turkey<\/h4>\n
Taking children off the field<\/h4>\n
Developing women\u2019s skills<\/h4>\n
Engaging with stakeholders<\/h4>\n
Caring for environment<\/h4>\n
Farmer programs<\/h4>\n
Steps towards precision farming<\/h4>\n
Occupational health and safety<\/h4>\n
Verification and continuous progress<\/h4>\n
Social Responsibility<\/h4>\n
Sustainability<\/h4>\n
\n
Raising the awareness of workers\u2019 rights in Turkey<\/h4>\n
Taking children off the field<\/h4>\n
Developing women\u2019s skills<\/h4>\n
Engaging with stakeholders<\/h4>\n
Caring for environment<\/h4>\n
Farmer programs<\/h4>\n
Steps towards precision farming<\/h4>\n
Occupational health and safety<\/h4>\n
Verification and continuous progress<\/h4>\n
![\"Gen\u00e7](\"http:\/\/balsu.com.tr\/v2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/GencHayatFoundation-300x132.jpg\")
<\/h3>\n
\nFight Against Child Labor<\/span><\/h4>\n