About us
Every person, no matter where in the world, has the right to a self-determined life. With this goal in mind, we give our best day after day.
What we believe in
We alleviate acute need through rapid access to food, sanitation and medical care. Our long-term goal is to sustainably improve the lives of people in need through educational projects.
Our work would not be possible without financial support. Every single donation contributes to our success. We handle donations efficiently and transparently so that every euro goes to our projects.
Only together can we make a difference – far beyond the borders of our city. Be part of STELP and support us at events, on-site activities or directly in our aid projects.
Our vision
STELP campaigns for a world in which children, women and men – regardless of origin, age, sexual orientation or political and religious worldview – can live free of acute hardship and self-determinedly in dignity and security and can shape their future sustainably on their own.
Our values
Empathy
We put all our energy and our passion into our projects. We actively listen and meet people at eye level. We put them and their right to a dignified life at the center of our actions. We have been lucky in life and we want to share that.
Impact
We give every resource the maximum impact. Thanks to our direct, quick and unbureaucratic help, the donations reach exactly where they are needed and make the lives of people in need a lot better.
Determination
When we are needed, we don't hesitate and get started. Full of energy and inner drive to help. And do it correctly and where it should arrive. That's why we don't let ourselves be stopped by boundaries that are set, by unnecessary rules that hinder us. It doesn't always have to be the perfect way, but it does have to be the most effective way in the current situation.
Agility
If you want to go fast, you have to take unconventional paths and let your gut overrule your head every now and then. We are not rigid in processes and decisions, but always agile and flexible. We always look for and find the solution and don't get stuck in the problem. So we keep finding ways, finding helpers and establishing networks. We accept what we find and get the most out of everything.
Courage
We help people in need. To do this, we take our hearts into our hands and courageously go where others don't dare go or where it becomes particularly challenging. Knocking on doors that seem locked at first glance. We don't always choose the safest path, but rather the most sensible one. Even or especially when we have to cross borders to do so. Each of us fights to ensure that help gets to where it is needed. Even with the knowledge that this can get us into trouble. But no one said it was easy to change the lives of millions.
How it all began
In 2015, Serkan Eren and his friend Steffen Schuldis laid the foundation for today’s STELP e. V. association with the aid campaign “Balkan Route Stuttgart”. Back then, when more people than ever came to Europe and Germany seeking protection from war, poverty and persecution, the two helped stranded people in a refugee camp near the Macedonian border without hesitating for long. What started with a single aid transport became three tons of in-kind donations in just a few months – all of which was only possible thanks to unimagined and unprecedented support and solidarity from people in Stuttgart and around the world. One year later, STELP was born.
Today we look back and can hardly believe that we have been able to support tens of thousands of people on four continents and save them from illness and death. We were moral support and fought against thirst and hunger, cold and homelessness – and against oblivion. Almost always we have won this battle. We were moral support and fought against thirst and hunger, cold and homelessness – and against oblivion. Almost always we have won this battle.
