This work is the result of a three-year research project. Many people contributed to the success of this work. This particularly applies to all the experts who were willing to have a conversation with me and share their knowledge and views on the Turkish NGO sector. In many instances, the interviewees demonstrated great trust and did not hesitate to address sensitive topics and express their opinions. I would like to thank all the interview partners for their support and openness. My special thanks go to the human rights activist anar Yurdatapan, who has repeatedly assisted me with his extensive knowledge of Turkish civil society and opened doors that would otherwise have remained closed to me. I was fortunate to be supervised by two excellent professors: Prof. Dr. Dr.