The Turkish Women in Renewables and Energy Network (TWRE) was launched as a social initiative and women’s communication network on LinkedIn by Sedef Budak in May 2018. TWRE held its first physical meeting in January 2019, bringing together 60 women working in energy transformation and the power industry for the first time in person, marking the initial steps toward what would become GCWA. Today, membership exceeding 4,500 women, the core team of 24 role-model women came together on 10 June 2022 to establish the Green Collar Women Association (GCWA / YEYKAD). GCWA’s main activities include monitoring employment trends in Türkiye’s energy sector, collecting data and conducting unbiased analyses, providing roadmaps for workforce and capacity building in relevant industries, organizing local and international events, representing Turkish women and the energy sector at the highest levels, designing and implementing training programs, and developing and executing high-impact projects aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals by leveraging the expertise of its members.
GCWA has 75 members, including corporate members of 12 companies working in PV production, conventional and renewable energy investors, utility and digitalisation companies who is dedicated to energy transition.

We have 20% male presence in our association to secure equality.
We are partnering with German, Canadian, UK energy agencies, Cyprus and African Women Associations working in humanitarian, energy justice, women empowerment and climate action.
Our members are varied, including University Deans, scientists, entrepreneurs, C-Level female and male experts and young people in STEM.

Our activities focus on empowering women professionals in the energy sector by fostering advocacy, capacity building, and networking opportunities. We aim to support women at all career stages, with a particular emphasis on those with backgrounds in energy engineering and related fields.

• We organize bi-monthly online meetings that bring together junior and senior women experts to share knowledge, discuss industry trends, and support professional development. (Event calendar: https://yeykad.org/en/about-us/)

• GCWA actively participates annually in the MENALINKS expert meetings, contributing to regional cooperation and knowledge exchange on energy issues.

• We run an annual mentoring program focused on women working in public utility companies, designed to enhance skills and leadership capabilities. (More information available on our website)

• GCWA also engages in advocacy efforts to promote gender equality in the energy sector and collaborates with educational institutions and industry partners to encourage young women to pursue careers in energy.

Our working groups are open to new members who are committed to advancing women’s roles in the energy industry. Interested professionals can join through our website or contact us directly for more information.

We continue to voluntarily support the sector as an HR contact point for entry-level, mid-level, and senior management recruitment. Our mentoring programme W2W will launch its third season in 2026. In parallel, we are a supporter of the Million Women Mentors initiative in Türkiye, created for young women aged 15–25 who wish to study or work in STEM fields.

We are now launching our own YEYKAD CONGRESS and AWARDS starting from 2026 to promote women's roles and knowledge in energy transition. To motivate companies and government to take serious measures about inclusion.

Since 2018, we have participated in more than 500 local and international events, representing the female face of Türkiye’s energy sector. Through our presence at universities, fairs, and congresses by setting up stands, delivering presentations, providing technical trainings, and offering career coaching—we have helped more than 100 young women secure their first job.

• Webinars & Panel Discussions: Since 2019, we have organized over 70 seminars, webinars, and panel sessions with experts from the sustainability, energy, and gender equality fields. (yeykad.org)

• Reports & Publications: Our “Reports” section (https://yeykad.org/reports) includes policy recommendations, sectoral analyses, and research outputs on gender equality, climate action, and the energy transition. New reports are published on a rolling basis.

• Event Database: The “Events” page provides access to past and upcoming activities, training programs, and collaborative projects within our network (https://yeykad.org/etkinlikler/).

• Membership & Outreach Materials: Accessible membership forms, guidelines, and communication materials (Media Kit) support transparency and broader participation within the YEYKAD community.