On September 12, 2025, the R-MAP project held a focused workshop, coordinated by Koç University and hosted in its campus in Istanbul, titled “From Needs to Action: Gender, Sustainability, and Remote/Hybrid Work in Transition”.
R-MAP successfully brought together international stakeholders and experts providing a dynamic space for diverse voices and expertise to discuss challenges and opportunities at the intersection of gender, sustainability and evolving work models, especially for remote and hybrid arrangements. Attendees represented a broad range of sectors: researchers, HR and workplace policy makers, urban planners, local authorities, and other stakeholders. By facilitating this exchange, R-MAP enabled a truly diverse community of stakeholders to unite marking a significant step forward in fostering inclusive and impactful dialogue.
The participants were divided into groups and began working collaboratively on the key objectives of the workshop, after which they presented their results. Specifically, they focused on:
- Raising Awareness of diverse perspectives on the gendered and urban–rural dimensions of remote and hybrid work.
- Integrating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and sustainability principles into remote/hybrid work practices, with a focus on inclusive urban and rural contexts.
- Assessing needs and developing inclusive strategies addressing workforce diversity and equity.
- Facilitating exchange of priorities and perspectives to generate practical insights at organisational, local, regional, and different policy levels.
- Formulating initial policy and practice recommendations and establishing a collaborative network for sustainable impact.
Collaborative steps toward a sustainable future of work
Collective knowledge sets the foundation for impactful policy and practice shifts, ensuring that remote and hybrid work models contribute positively to workforce diversity and wellbeing, while aligning with global sustainability goals. By engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders, the event facilitated a richer understanding of the challenges faced and the solutions needed to create more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable work environments.
As the project moves forward, the insights from this workshop will be instrumental in shaping innovative strategies and policies that reflect the realities of today’s evolving work landscape.
A heartfelt thank you to Koç University for their warm hospitality and excellent organization of the workshop!
