SECTORAL CONSULTANCY AND TRAINING PLATFORM
Your strategic solution partner, turning local values into the opportunities of the future.
Geopedi-Hub brings together sectoral expertise, reliable knowledge, strategic analysis, and future-shaping insights on a single platform.
- Training Programs
- Consultancy Services
- Türkiye & EU Coverage
- In-Person or Online
OUR APPROACH
Collective, quality-driven, sustainable
To strengthen the sustainable management of geographical indication registered products in Türkiye and the European Union, we offer needs-based training programs and consultancy services for producers and registrants.
Geopedi-Hub treats geographical indications not merely as a legal registration, but as a holistic system that jointly manages quality assurance, local development, the preservation of cultural heritage, and the creation of economic value. With this approach, it provides strategic guidance across every stage of your brand’s journey from registration to market, adding value to your sustainable growth and corporate development.
TRAINING
Modular training programs
Target audience: Producers, registrants, local governments, cooperative representatives
Format: The program is designed for groups of 10–30 participants and delivered as one full day.
Module 1 — Fundamental Concepts: Definition and types of geographical indications · Geographical boundary · Product definition and distinctive characteristics · The emblem and its use · Legal responsibilities and sanctions
Module 2 — Registration Process and Post-Registration Procedures: Amendments to the registration · Change of registrant · List of active producers
Module 3 — Audit: Audit authority · Letter of undertaking · Audit record · Audit report
Target audience: Producers, registrants, marketing teams, cooperative managers
Format: 1 full day (6 hours) · Group: 8–25 participants · Workshop + Presentation
Module 1 — From Geographical Indication to Brand: The relationship between geographical indications and brands · Turning registration into commercial value · Brand positioning · Building product identity · Developing competitive advantage
Workshop: “Why should our product be preferred?” — participants prepare a value proposition for their own products.
Module 2 — Story, Identity and Consumer Connection: Crafting an origin story · Turning local culture into brand value · Building an emotional brand · Trust and authenticity · Developing the product narrative
Workshop: Each group creates the story of its own product.
Module 3 — Visual Identity and Packaging: Logo use · Geographical indication emblems · Corporate identity · Packaging design · Labeling standards · Creating a premium perception
Exercise: Evaluation of current packaging (good/bad example analysis).
Module 4 — Marketing and Commercialization: Target market selection · Local market · National market · Export market · Distribution channels · Premium pricing · Value-based selling
Workshop: Preparing a target market map for the product.
Module 5 — Integrated Communication Strategy: Brand message · Target audience analysis · Message architecture · Preparing a communication plan · Corporate visibility · Partnerships
Workshop: Draft of a one-year communication plan.
Module 6 — Digital Communication and Content Management: Social media strategy · Storytelling · Photo and video content · Short video production · E-commerce communication · Fundamentals of digital advertising · Influencers and collaborations
Exercise: Preparing a 30-day social media content plan.
Module 7 — Performance Measurement and Continuous Improvement: Defining KPIs · Digital analytics tools · Sales and visibility indicators · Measuring communication performance · Continuous improvement cycle
Target audience: Producers, registrants, export managers, trade associations
Format: 2 full days (12 hours) · Group: 8–20 participants · Presentation + Case Study
Module 1 — Strategy & Market: Target country and market selection (data-driven) · Global positioning and competitive analysis · Premium segment and pricing · AI-supported market analysis
Module 2 — Digital & Legal: Entry strategies for Amazon, Etsy and Alibaba · EU Regulation 2024/1143 compliance process · ISO, HACCP and certification requirements
Module 3 — Financing & Sustainability: Export incentives and government support · ESG-compliant production strategies · Digital Product Passport (DPP) integration
Target audience: Producers, registrants, auditors, public institution representatives
Format: 1 full day (6 hours) · Group: 10–25 participants
Module 1 — Audit Fundamentals: The role of audit in geographical indications · Audit obligations in Türkiye and the EU · Risk-based audit approach
Module 2 — Traceability Systems: Data flow across the supply chain · QR code and GS1 Digital Link implementation · Blockchain-based traceability
Module 3 — Rights & Obligations: Rights arising from registration and their limits · Obligations of producers and registrants · General framework of EU Regulation 2024/1143
CONSULTANCY
Field-focused consultancy services
Target audience: Producers, registrants, cooperative and association managers
Duration: 6 months
Working model: Hybrid (site visits + online consultancy)
Institutional Capacity Analysis: Current state assessment (analysis of the producer organization structure, stakeholder analysis, review of roles and responsibilities, strengths and areas for development) · Capacity assessment report (institutional capacity analysis, risk and needs analysis, prioritization, development roadmap)
Organizational Structuring and Governance: Strengthening the institutional structure (technical guidance for establishing cooperatives/associations, developing a management model, improving decision-making processes, division of tasks and organizational structure) · Internal operations (internal communication mechanisms, meeting and decision processes, increasing member participation, working procedures)
Management and Sustainability: Financial capacity (financial management, revenue model development, membership fee and income planning, resource development) · Operational capacity (business plan preparation, annual activity plan, performance indicators, monitoring mechanisms)
Commercialization and Collaboration Capacity: Market-oriented structuring (defining the producer organization’s marketing role, joint sales and purchasing models, supply chain coordination) · Networking (institutional partnerships, coordination with public institutions, preparation for funding and support programs, capacity to develop new projects)
Outputs & success indicators: Institutional capacity assessment report · Development roadmap · Management and organization recommendations · Financial sustainability plan · Priority action plan
Target audience: Producers, registrants
Duration: 3 months
Working model: Hybrid (site visits + online consultancy)
Brand Due Diligence: Analysis of the current state (logo, emblem, packaging, communication channels, etc.) · Identifying brand needs and preparing a needs map
Identity and Brand Building: Brand identity and brand architecture · Brand values, vision and positioning fundamentals · Logo, emblem and corporate visual identity system · Technical guidance on the correct use of the geographical indication emblem and legal marks · Packaging and label design standards · Integrating local identity, cultural heritage and geographical connection into the brand identity · Brand storytelling and a distinctive value proposition · Corporate identity and brand usage guide · Brand communication language and core message framework
Positioning and Marketing Strategy: Target market and consumer segmentation · Competitive analysis and market positioning · Entry strategies for local, national and international markets · Value-added marketing and sales models · Product portfolio and brand positioning · Pricing and value-based marketing · Digital marketing and integrated communication planning · Joint brand management and ownership models for producer associations · Promotion, trade fair and export-oriented marketing plans · Monitoring brand performance and market development
Outputs & success indicators: Brand identity document (visual identity guide and usage manual) · Market positioning map · Communication strategy report · 6-month action plan · Brand awareness survey (baseline vs. final) · Evaluation meeting at the end of month 3
Target audience: Producers, registrants, public audit units
Duration: 3 months
Working model: Hybrid — field analysis + system design + piloting
Current Structure Analysis: Analysis of how audit mechanisms operate in Türkiye · Assessment against effectiveness, transparency and sustainability criteria · Review of audit reports and field findings
Traceability System Design: Data flow modeling across the supply chain · QR code, GS1 Digital Link and digital identity integration · Blockchain-based traceability setup (Geopedi infrastructure) · Integration of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) approach
Digitalization and Reporting: Design of digital audit reporting processes · Data standardization and record management · Compliance assessment under EU Regulation 2024/1143
Outputs & success indicators: Current state report (gap analysis and risk map) · Audit model document · Pilot implementation plan · Technology integration guide (QR, DPP and platform user manual) · Comparative compliance report on EU legislation
Note: Geopedi platform licensing and technical infrastructure costs are assessed separately. Special pricing is available for public institutions.
Target audience: Registrant institutions, authorized producer organizations
Duration: 1 month
Working model: Hybrid (desk analysis + stakeholder interviews + site visit + online consultancy)
Technical Analysis of the Registration File: Technical analysis of the registration certificate and product characteristics · Review of the production method, geographical boundaries and distinctive characteristics against current conditions · Applicability of the product specification · Strengths of the current registration and areas requiring improvement
Field and Stakeholder Analysis: Structured interviews with producers · Evaluation meetings with the registrant institution · Process analysis with audit units · Input from academic experts and sector representatives where needed · On-the-ground applicability of the registration and comparison of production practices with registration provisions
Strategic Assessment: Effects of climate change on production processes · Technological developments and new production methods · Developments in national and international legislation and standards · Market expectations and consumer trends · Technical assessment of the need for registration amendments, revision priorities, risk and opportunity analysis
Revision Roadmap: Identifying sections recommended for updating · Strategic revision recommendations for products with high economic value · Roadmap, priority actions and implementation timeline
Outputs & success indicators: Registration status report (comparison of current content with actual production) · Technical assessment report · Update roadmap · Stakeholder interview summary
Target audience: Producers, registrants, trade associations
Duration: 6 months
Working model: Remote consultancy + site visits when needed (strategy + implementation + follow-up phases)
Strategy Phase: Target country and market selection (data-driven, AI-supported analysis) · Global market positioning and benchmarking studies · Competitive analysis and premium segment strategy development
Digital & Legal Infrastructure: Entry strategies for Amazon, Etsy, Alibaba and B2B platforms · Digital storefront (website, catalog, product pages) design consultancy · Export legislation, customs procedures and product-specific regulatory analysis · Food safety standards (ISO, HACCP) and certification roadmap
Financing & Sustainability: Application consultancy for export incentives and government support · Access to EBRD, World Bank and EU project funding sources · ESG-compliant production and export strategies · Carbon footprint calculation and sustainable packaging solutions
Outputs & success indicators: Market entry strategy report (detailed plan for 3 priority countries) · Digital channel setup guide · Funding application calendar · Compliance and certification plan · Export performance dashboard (monthly KPI set) · Month-6 evaluation report (targets vs. actuals)
HUB FOUNDING TEAM
Get to know us!
Dr. Ayşegül Demircioğlu
Geographical Indication Trainer & Consultant
23 years at the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office; former Head of Section, Geographical Indications Department. Took part in WIPO, EPO and FAO projects.
She graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Agriculture in 1993. She worked at the same university as a research assistant for five years and completed her master’s and doctoral studies. In 2000, she joined the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office. During her tenure, she received and delivered numerous trainings on industrial property and prepared training materials and booklets. She took an active role in drafting the TÜRKPATENT Patent and Utility Model Draft Law, in preparing and monitoring strategic plans, in running the “Project for Disseminating Industrial Property Knowledge in Universities” in cooperation with TÜRKPATENT and the EPO, and in the establishment of the Patent Academy in cooperation with TÜRKPATENT and WIPO. She attended WIPO-IGC meetings on genetic resources, traditional knowledge, folklore and intellectual property rights. The “Patent Training Kit” developed by the European Patent Office (EPO), whose Turkish version she prepared, was made publicly available. She served in projects conducted in cooperation with WIPO, EPO and FAO. She took part in managing the website during the establishment of the Geographical Indications Platform, and created the platform’s success stories as well as the “Training Kit on Registering Geographical Indications in the EU” and the “Training Kit on Auditing Geographical Indication Registered Products”. After serving as Head of Section at the Innovation and Promotion Department, she served as Head of Section at the Geographical Indications Department. She retired from the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office after 23 years of service, then worked for about a year and a half as business development director at Endemigo Inc. Drawing on her years of professional experience, she works to help geographical indications achieve the value they deserve in Türkiye, to ensure their sustainability, and to raise awareness based on accurate information.
Nil Sızır Sakallıoğlu
Intellectual and Industrial Property Attorney
13 years of experience in intellectual and industrial property rights; founder of Heliodor Tech. Lead of the TÜBİTAK-supported Geopedi project.
After graduating from Gazi University Faculty of Law in 2010, she studied German in Stuttgart. In 2013, she began her master’s studies in Commercial Law at Gazi University’s Institute of Social Sciences, graduating in 2019 with a thesis titled “Subjecting a Registered Trademark to Customs Procedures Without Authorization”. During and after her master’s studies, she worked actively as an attorney in the field of intellectual and industrial property law. At Heliodor Tech, which she founded in 2022, she also leads project development and management activities focused on blockchain-based traceability systems.
The Geopedi project she launched in 2024 was supported by TÜBİTAK and, through field work grounded in traceability and verifiability for geographical indications, has grown into an active platform. With roughly 13 years of expertise in intellectual and industrial property rights, she has closely observed the challenges geographical indications face in terms of audit, traceability and sustainability. Building on this, she brings the solutions offered by emerging technologies together under the Geopedi umbrella, working both to raise awareness of geographical indications and to make their economic value visible.
Sibel Çelik Sözer
Communication Strategist, Trainer and Consultant
Over 30 years of experience; developed strategies for numerous institutions including TURKSAT, TAI, METU and government ministries.
Communication strategist, trainer and consultant. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ankara University Faculty of Communication and has more than thirty years of professional experience. She has developed strategies for numerous brands and institutions in the private and public sectors, most notably TURKSAT, TAI, TOBB ETU, METU, DMO, the Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of Agriculture. Her core areas of work include communication management, communication strategies, content production, stakeholder management, awareness campaigns, distinctive brand concepts and corporate identity development; in recent years she has specialized in behavior-change-based communication strategies. To pass her experience on to younger generations, she taught “Advertising Practices”, “Concept Development” and “Communication Management” courses at Başkent and Çankaya Universities, and contributed to curriculum development for the Visual Design Department at Karatay University.
She is one of the few communication professionals in Türkiye working in the field of industrial property. Since 2006, she has played an active role in industrial property awareness initiatives in national and international projects; she served as project coordinator of the first digital public campaign in this field at universities and was the first PR agency representative to represent the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office abroad. She approaches communication not merely as visibility but as a tool for building trust and belonging, crafting holistic brand strategies that make the origin, labor and authenticity of GI products visible, support local development, and create competitive strength at national and international scale.
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Blockchain-based traceability and verification platform for geographical indication registered products.
TÜBİTAK-TEYDEB · Project No: 7230833