TEMA Foundation

TEMA Foundation
Name	TEMA Foundation
Formation	1992
Type	Non-governmental organization
Headquarters	Ankara, Turkey
Area served	Turkey
Focus	Reforestation, Soil conservation, Biodiversity

TEMA Foundation is a Turkish non-governmental organization established in 1992 focusing on reforestation, soil conservation, and biodiversity protection across Anatolia. It operates through advocacy, field projects, and public campaigns, engaging with national institutions such as Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Turkey), international entities including the United Nations Environment Programme, and civil society actors like Greenpeace and World Wide Fund for Nature. The foundation collaborates with academic institutions such as Middle East Technical University, Boğaziçi University, and Hacettepe University to develop research-driven restoration projects and environmental education initiatives.

History

Founded in 1992 by prominent figures from Turkish industry and academia during a period shaped by the aftermath of environmental debates following events like the 1980 Turkish coup d'état and policy shifts influenced by the European Union accession process, the organization emerged amid rising public concern over deforestation in the Black Sea Region (Turkey), erosion in the Central Anatolia Region, and desertification threats highlighted by reports from Food and Agriculture Organization. Early collaborations included partnerships with Turkish Red Crescent for disaster response and with international donors such as European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and World Bank programs focused on sustainable land management. Over subsequent decades the foundation expanded campaigns parallel to global initiatives like the Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, while engaging with policymakers from parties such as Justice and Development Party (Turkey) and Republican People's Party (Turkey) on legislative measures affecting protected areas such as Küre Mountains National Park and Mount Ararat environs.

Mission and Objectives

The foundation's mission emphasizes restoring native vegetation, preventing soil erosion, and promoting biodiversity across landscapes historically altered by practices linked to industrialization and urbanization tied to actors like Türkiye İş Bankası and infrastructure projects associated with Ankara Metropolitan Municipality. Its objectives include large-scale afforestation modeled on international frameworks promoted by International Union for Conservation of Nature, community-based stewardship reflecting approaches of The Nature Conservancy, and environmental education inspired by curricula from institutions such as UNESCO. The organization sets measurable targets aligned with global agendas like the Sustainable Development Goals and national conservation strategies coordinated with agencies such as General Directorate of Forestry (Turkey).

Programs and Activities

Field programs encompass large-scale tree planting campaigns in regions including the Marmara Region, Aegean Region, and Southeastern Anatolia Project basins, restoration pilots in degraded watersheds studied by researchers at Ankara University, and biodiversity monitoring in cooperation with museums such as the Istanbul University Faculty of Science. Public education activities include school outreach modeled on programs by Naturemed, volunteer mobilization resembling efforts by Red Cross affiliates, and awareness campaigns timed with international observances like World Environment Day. The foundation also runs policy dialogues convening stakeholders from European Commission delegations, local municipalities like İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality, and rural associations documented by Turkish Statistical Institute research. Technical initiatives include seed bank development in collaboration with botanical gardens such as İstanbul University Botanic Garden and restoration planning using remote sensing methods pioneered in projects by European Space Agency and academic partners like ETH Zurich.

Organizational Structure and Governance

Governance is administered by a board of trustees drawn from business leaders, academics, and civil society figures with experience in institutions such as Koç Holding, Sabancı University, and Çukurova University. Executive management coordinates field offices and volunteer networks patterned after structures used by Oxfam and Amnesty International, while advisory councils include scientists from Ege University and legal experts familiar with legislation like the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation (Turkey). Annual general assemblies convene members and stakeholders including representatives of local cooperatives and municipal authorities such as Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, ensuring accountability through audits comparable to procedures used by Transparency International and reporting practices observed by Global Environment Facility grantees.

Funding and Partnerships

Funding sources combine individual donations solicited through campaigns with corporate philanthropy from firms such as Garanti BBVA and project grants from international donors including European Union instruments, multilateral funds like World Bank, and foundations such as Ford Foundation. Strategic partnerships involve collaborations with international NGOs including Conservation International, academic consortia like Caucasus University Association, and public agencies such as Ministry of Environment and Urbanization (Turkey), enabling co-financed restoration, research, and capacity-building projects. The foundation also leverages volunteer networks coordinated with student organizations at Bilkent University and professional associations like the Chamber of Agricultural Engineers (Turkey).

Impact and Recognition

The organization reports planting millions of trees across provinces including İzmir Province, Antalya Province, and Samsun Province, contributing to soil retention outcomes measured in studies by Istanbul Technical University and biodiversity assessments conducted with Turkish Academy of Sciences. Its advocacy has influenced national policy debates referenced in parliamentary sessions of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and has received awards and recognition from entities such as the European Greenbelt Network, national environmental prizes linked to Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, and endorsements by public intellectuals affiliated with Sabancı University. Internationally, its methodologies have been cited in reports by United Nations Development Programme and used as case studies in curricula at universities including Koç University and Bosphorus University.

Category:Environmental organizations based in Turkey