ÜBER STELP-Gründer serkan
A serious car accident shook Serkan Eren awake. A near-death experience that changed everything – his everyday life and his view of life. When he had to give up his job as a personal trainer, he began his search for something that really mattered.
In 2015, he and a friend launched their first aid mission to the Macedonian border on their own initiative. Without much of a plan, but with a firm determination to help. The “Balkan Route Stuttgart” aid campaign was born – a spontaneous response to the humanitarian catastrophe along Europe’s external borders. What began with a car full of relief supplies grew into a movement within a few years: STELP now helps in 21 countries on 3 continents.
“Balkan Route Stuttgart” was founded in 2015. Together with a friend, Serkan went on his first aid mission to the Macedonian border. Around a year later, the spontaneous relief operation became a non-profit association: STELP e. V.
During the founding phase, Serkan developed the so-called partner program - with the aim of ensuring that project donations arrive exactly where they are needed without any deductions. Another milestone followed in 2019: the first STELP fundraising gala - the start of a new chapter in fundraising.
Today, almost ten years after its foundation, STELP is active with aid projects in 21 countries on three continents. In 2024, STELP was able to collect over two million euros in donations. In addition to direct emergency aid, STELP Events UG and the non-profit café NATAN are two social businesses that strengthen the association in the long term.
In 2023, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier awarded Serkan the Federal Cross of Merit. “I am only representative of those who work day in and day out for STELP and, in turn, for those in need,” he said. “Nevertheless, I am of course incredibly proud of this very special award. It shows that our work is seen. But actually, I would wish that my dangerous missions and our support, no matter where in this world, whether in the Ukraine or in Yemen, in Greece or in Turkey, would not even have to be necessary,” he continued. In 2023, Serkan was also voted one of the 40 most important talents shaping our country by Capital magazine. And in 2021, he was named Stuttgarter of the Year by the readers of Stuttgarter Zeitung.
You want to request Serkan as a speaker?
What can you take away from crisis areas for everyday business life? How did Serkan become an activist – and what role did his near-death experience play along the way? Serkan brings his experiences to your company, school or club – clear, approachable and inspiring.
