The Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) has become a member of the European Language Equality Network (ELEN), which has members from many European countries, following a unanimous decision taken at its 22nd regular general assembly held on 19 April 2025.
Established in 2011 following the closure of the European Bureau for Lesser Used Languages (EBLUL) which was operating since 1982, ELEN works to protect and promote regional and minority languages at supranational organisations such as the European Union (EU), the Council of Europe and the United Nations (UN). ELEN represents 50 million people in the EU who speak a regional, minority, or endangered language, which is equivalent to 10% of the EU’s population.
Under the umbrella of ELEN, which has a total of 175 members from 25 different countries in Europe, civil society organisations, language schools, parent organisations, cultural organisations, academic institutions and research institutes are represented with the participation of ABTTF. The current president of ELEN is Prof. Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones.
ELEN monitors all draft legislation that may affect regional and minority languages and intervenes in the legislative process in line with their interests. In this context, it submits proposals for amendments to the relevant reports of the European Parliament (EP), contributes to the proposals of the European Commission, and prepares reports.
For detailed information on ELEN and its activities, please visit: www.elen.ngo
