democratization

Europe stands at a crossroads. Should it build its trade relations on fundamental values such as human rights, environmental sustainability, and labor rights—or align them with geopolitical interests? In our recent panel held in Berlin, we discussed the role of supply chains in German-Turkish relations.

Despite the popularity it enjoys as a topic of conversation, nationalism is not on the rise in Turkey, neither in its influence on the state nor in voter tendencies. 

Dr. Sonja Schiffers, Heinrich Böll Stiftung's South Caucasus Office Representative in Tbilisi, shared her evaluations regarding the new legislation in Georgia publicly known as “foreign agent law” at the press conference held at the Heinrich Böll Stiftung Istanbul Office.

In her guest commentary on the occasion of 8 March International Women's Day, Berfu Şeker from the Association Women for Women's Human Rights analyzes recent political developments in Turkey regarding women's and LGBTIQ+ rights and what awaits women in after the local elections end of the Month.

Yuliya Sporysh works with her Ukrainian NGO in the triangle of functioning kindergartens and schools, sustainable mental support and the transfer of skills and knowledge to women and mothers.

Interview with Hamide Ayaz, whose house collapsed in the conflicts in Sur, Sociologist Mihriban İlbaş, and Selma Aslan, Co-Chair of the Diyarbakır Branch of the Chamber of Architects, about the earthquake houses undertaken by TOKİ and their impact on women's lives. 

The 2023 elections, in which we witnessed many facets of disinformation activities with a very high potential to change the voting tendencies of Turkish voters, were characterised by post-truth narratives that exacerbated the existing polarization and appealed to emotions, which were used by both the government and some parts of the opposition.

On the night of 6 February 2022, two devastating earthquakes hit south-eastern Turkey and northern Syria. As of now, at least 40.000 people have died, and it is feared that the number of victims will increase drastically. We have compiled a list of organisations to which you can donate in the different affected areas.

Mehmet moved from Urfa to Istanbul with his family one year ago and has been working as a "rubbish collector" in the streets of Kadıköy ever since. Almost every day, the thirteen-year-old searches the rubbish containers for paper and plastic to sell it afterwards for a few liras. His brother Baran, three years younger, also earns money this way. Actually, both of them would like to see more of the city, go to school regularly and become a policeman or soldier later.

All over the world people are experiencing the devaluation of their money. Prices are rising, and for the same products more has to be paid than before.

Turkey hosts the most refugees in the world. According to the UN Refugee Agency, 15% of the world's displaced refugees live in Turkey, which equals 4 million people.  Most of them are Syrians, but people from Iran, Afghanistan and Iraq have also found refuge in Turkey.

Uysal is of Kurdish origin and has lived in many places. He lost his job as a teacher with the "purge" after the 2016 coup attempt and now works for an NGO that advocates for children's rights and safety. In the course of his job, he mainly meets people who belong to marginalised population groups. The Inflation is hitting them particularly hard.

Pinar's dream is Italy, because she does not feel equal and accepted as a woman in Turkey. The freelancer has a very international group of friends. Without them, there would be no reason for her to stay in Kadıköy. Her fear of sexual harassment and assault, which she has already experienced, is too big to live a normal life.

Paul is in his late twenties and ended up in Kadıköy by chance. He wanted to get away from the States and is now living very well in Istanbul. The reason is the comparatively stable salary in US dollars, which would be small for a life in the US, but offers him the opportunity to build his start-up in Turkey. Paul was born in Russia, but after leaving the country 10 years ago, he hasn’t returned until now: to escape military service. With Putin’s war, a Russian migrant community is now forming in Istanbul, reminding him of his old home.

The 18-year-old Miro from the Kurdish city of Van comes to Istanbul to prepare for an exam and work part-time. Six days a week he waits tables in his uncle's café, learns English and is, for the first time almost free of family pressure. He makes friends and has little time to study. Eventually, because of inflation, he can no longer finance his life in Kadıköy.

Fleur, a French student, came to Istanbul to study here for a year as part of Erasmus+. She fell in love with the metropolis of millions and its diversity. Travelling through Turkey and talking to locals, she became aware of the impact of political and economic problems on daily lives. She also learned a lot about herself and became aware of her privileges.

Arden is in their mid-twenties and born in Istanbul, they are non-binary. As a DJ and music producer, Arden is active in Istanbul's queer nightlife. Arden is experiencing the government's openly practiced queer-hostility. Even though they feel comfortable in their neighbourhood and places of work, Kadıköy and Beyoğlu.

Behind her red simit stall at the ferry port of Kadıköy, 44-year-old Aleyna sells the typical sesame curls every day. As the only woman in this position, she had to stand up to hostility and harassment from men. Meanwhile, she has been working here for 16 years, she knows the people and their stories. She helps where she can and gives some of her simit to hungry people.

Aisha from Istanbul works in a friend's café in Kadıköy. The neighbourhood is her home, the regular customers a second family. Because of galloping inflation, the rents are to be adjusted, including hers. She fights her landlord's eviction with all means. She would like to open her own restaurant: an impossibility in these unstable times.

Countries such as Poland or Hungary frequently face criticism for a lack of media freedom. Their governments dispute that they oppose critical media. Yet, restrictions on media freedom come in many shapes and sizes.