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TGD, online communication channel of the Turkish community in Germany - Civil society - Enabling local community regeneration/ development

Country of the case / Scope:

Germany/National

Start Date/End date:

2003 - ongoing

Entity type:

Third Sector Organisation

Case abstract:

 

The Turkish Community in Germany (TGD), created in 1995, is a group of entities that is deeply committed to legal, social and political equality and the equal treatment of Turkish and other immigrants in Germany. It advocates a policy of integration of cultural minorities in the host society while developing their own cultural identity, and seeks to contribute to the peaceful and cohesive coexistence of all people. Their online portal was launched in 2003, to provide users with news, documentation, information on their projects, etc.

This online communication channel of the Turkish Community in Germany helps to shape public opinion, by conducting panel discussions, commenting on current political affairs and so on. It provides users with news, mainly related to the Turkish community in Germany. TGD also promotes specific educational and training projects and other initiatives. The web is divided into different sections: General information (about us, partners, etc.), Theses, Projects, Initiatives, Press, Partners, and Interactive. Although not all the sections are updated frequently, the home page and the news section are very lively. 

 

Target and key users:

 

IEM  (ethnic specific)

Although initially targeted at the Turkish community, the site is used both by IEM and the host population, and in particular by people working in media organisations, politics or journalism, as well as the subgroups of the umbrella organisation, TGD.

 

Added value:
Involvement of IEM in the practice:

 

Staff members are from diverse backgrounds (Turkish, but also Spanish, Polish or Cuban). However, there is limited evidence of interaction with IEM users.

 

Impact assesment and methodology:

No impact assesment strategies implemented.

Innovation and creativity:

This web portal is part of a migrant organisation initiative that grew to be able to reach a broad audience, and which is now a respected institution by governments, political institutions and other bodies. The web portal brought a new tool to add to their efforts. Thanks to sponsorships, a new redesigned portal will be launched in June 2011 with a view to satisfy the expectations of end users, who are looking towards a more user-friendly and accessible portal to spread their activities and debates. In this redesigned web, users will have access to multimedia content, the use of Google map applications to find the nearest Turkish community and a greater understanding of the Turkish community for non-Turkish visitors.

Sustainability:

TGD is the biggest umbrella organisation for the Turkish community in Germany. It has been active over recent years, and continues to provide very helpful and practical information for the community. As a non-profit organization, it uses public funding to support its activities, but has also developed a strategy towards private sponsor to keep the web active (already online for more than 7 years). By creating specific features (like the football game between Turkey and Germany in 2010 World Cup), they attract new companies to invest in publicity in the website, so it is sustainable.

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