Gülcan Nitsch
Ashoka Fellow since 2010   |   Germany

Gülcan Nitsch

Yesil Cember (Green Circle)
Gülcan Nitsch develops new approaches to recruit Germany’s largest minority group, Turkish immigrants, in environmental protection efforts. Gülcan is diversifying and broadening the base of the…
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This description of Gülcan Nitsch's work was prepared when Gülcan Nitsch was elected to the Ashoka Fellowship in 2010.

Introduction

Gülcan Nitsch develops new approaches to recruit Germany’s largest minority group, Turkish immigrants, in environmental protection efforts. Gülcan is diversifying and broadening the base of the country’s environmental movement, she is creating a healthier environment and helping to foster better integrated communities.

The New Idea

Using a highly personalized and high touch communications approach, Gülcan works directly with Turkish media and the Turkish community to mobilize Turks around environmental issues. From the preparation of information materials to the community empowerment strategies she adapts, Gülcan focuses onRead more

The Problem

Many immigrant communities in Germany, in particular, the large population of Turkish immigrants, remain disconnected from environmental protection efforts. Environmental groups have failed to integrate the Turkish community as well as other immigrant populations into their efforts. This resultsRead more

The Strategy

Gülcan recognized that simply translating existing German materials into Turkish was not a sufficient measure to solve the problems facing Germany’s environmental community. Instead, she started to develop her own hands-on Turkish information material which includes pictures, metaphors, andRead more

The Person

Gülcan has dedicated her life to environmental education and the full integration of immigrants and other marginalized communities. She was born in Berlin as the second daughter of four to Turkish parents who belong to the first generation Turkish immigrants. Since her childhood, Gülcan seizedRead more

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