Search for European Projects

Discover Croatia - Think Green, Act for Future!
Start date: Apr 1, 2016, End date: Oct 31, 2016 PROJECT  FINISHED 

Protected areas play a vital role in the preservation of nature, flora and fauna, and landscapes that were formed by man’s interaction with nature during hundreds of years. The application and advertisement of the methodology of their preservation is important for the continuation of life as we know it and insurance for the wellbeing of future generations. It is easiest to start with the youth when educating about the importance of nature preservation and to give them the opportunity to gain new knowledge. Main goal of the project was: Give youth from different backgrounds (ethnic, cultural, religious) the opportunity to advance their knowledge and raise awareness about the values of natural heritage and its potential for sustainable development of rural environments. Specific goals of the project were:1. Improve the quality of the Public Institution’s work with integrating new methods of working in everyday activities, building a modern and dynamic work environment and European cooperation. 2. Link people in mutual activities for the wellbeing of the local community. 3. Grant the volunteers the formation of new skills (communication, organization and administration) and knowledge through working in teams, development of social and ecological awareness, learning a new language; development of cultural awareness and respect for other cultures. Young people (15), ages from 18 to 30, were incorporated in the PI’s work through the Discover Croatia project. To encompass a wider spectre of activities the project was made of two components. The first one was involving the volunteers in the activities of the PI such as working in landscaping in the Park’s area (cleaning the overgrown, old paths, marking the hiking and education trails, arranging the existing infrastructure), helping the local population in everyday activities (putting hay away for winter, digging in the garden), participating in the forming and making of an research-fun zone in the Park – DISCOVERY AREA, working in marketing. The second component encompasses were research and educational activities: participating in educational trainings about karst, tourism…preparation and holding of foreign language school for the local children, preparation and holding of summer school GRABOVAČA 2016, working on designing the visual identity of the project – the channel for expanding the project and promotion, learning the basics of Croatian language. In these activities the volunteers visited the caves Samograd and Medina (topic: touristic caves, basics of speleology), Old town Perušić (cultural heritage), Kuterevo, river Lika rafting (water in karst), Fruit centre (local economy), HKUD Perušić (ethno heritage), Gargaše Assoc. (etno heritage), Red Cross training.The following methods were used in the project activities: team work, environment familiarizing, using paint, communication and learning through work, presentation, individual work, manifestation, sport-recreational approach, mapping, method of analysing, observing and discovering, interpretation and creative thinking, direct communication, brainstorming, dancing, learning through music, etc. With these project we familiarize the volunteers with Croatia and Lika as a region, the basics of Croatian lang., We improved work of PI with new ideas and energy. Also we manage to involve volunteers in the promotion of the Cave Park after getting to know the area, and to promote it as an interesting touristic destination. This was the next step if forming Volunteer center in Perusić. The leitmotiv of the whole project was to raise the ecological and social awareness of the participants so that they could continue with the same in their countries. The volunteers got work experience, improve their communication skills, the feeling of independence and self-initiative and improved their teamwork skills, gain new friends etc., to satisfy their own needs and goals. The project affected on awareness and understanding of Croatian culture, traditions and ways of life. The PI Cave Park Grabovača improved the quality of work by integrating new work methods in everyday activities, by creating a modern and dynamic work environment (new ideas and perspectives) and by developing European cooperation – raising awareness for working in international partnerships. With these project Cave park Grabovaca got new fresh image and received the advertisement we need to get more tourists.

Looking for a partnership?
Have a look at
Ma Région Sud!
https://maregionsud.up2europe.eu

Coordinator

Details

2 Partners Participants