Founded in 1992 by Nihat Gokyigit, “TEMA has pioneered a multistakeholder approach to tackling the problem of soil erosion in Turkey.” According to the Foundation’s website, TEMA’s “mission is to raise public awareness of environmental problems, specifically soil erosion, deforestation, biodiversity loss and climate change.”

“Nihat Gokyigit was a successful business entrepreneur, presiding over one of Turkey’s largest conglomerates (Tekfen Holdings) when he decided to start TEMA with renowned environmentalist Hayrettin Karaca. Having grown up in Artvin, a secluded and pristine part of Turkey, he wanted to identify livelihoods through which Turkey’s people could preserve their nation’s rich biodiversity rather than destroy it. His private foundation operates Turkey’s most prominent botanical garden, which complements TEMA’s work through botanic education and research.”

Excerpt from Outstanding Social Entrepreneurs 2010, the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship

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