Between two Cultures: The Role and Challenges of Turkish Associations in Germany

This study examines the evolving role of Turkish associations in Germany and their contribution to both social integration and diaspora formation. Focusing on the Turkish population in Essen and Duisburg, it explores how these organizations balance cultural preservation with adaptation to the host society. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys and interviews with 58 association managers and 260 members and volunteers. Findings showed that Turkish associations increasingly function as modern institutional platforms that support integration and contribute to the development of a more organized and conscious diaspora. Its originality lies in emphasizing the recent transformation of Turkish associations into diaspora-oriented structures, offering new insights into migration studies and the sociology of immigrant organizations.