The Biom Association, as the main coordinator with its partners, has been implementing the LIFE SUPport project since January 2023. The project aims to preserve the last remaining population of the Griffon vulture in Croatia, which is located on the islands of the Kvarner Bay. One of the partners in the project is the Public Institution Nature, which manages the Visitor Center and Rescue Center for Griffon Vultures in Beli on the island of Cres. One of the project’s main tasks is to reduce the mortality of Griffon vulture chicks, who, due to inexperience in flying, the position of nests on cliffs above the sea, and disturbance by humans, fall out of their nests. If they are not rescued in time, they lose their lives in the sea. The project aims to improve the rehabilitation process and the release of Griffon vultures into the wild to increase their chances of survival. One important element for ensuring the success of these processes is informing and educating sailors and the public on appropriate behavior near the nesting colonies of vultures. Our future volunteers (maybe it’s you!) will play a crucial role in this!
Description of the volunteer activities:
Volunteers will visit key locations near nesting colonies of griffon vultures in pairs and will inform and educate boaters and citizens about the rules of conduct near nests. The locations will be visited by boat (inflatable boat) operated by a licensed skipper. Volunteers will also provide information and education at key locations such as local marinas. As needed and available, volunteers will assist employees of the Beli Visitor Center and Griffon Vulture Rehabilitation Center in rescuing griffon vulture chicks from the sea, in the Center’s clinic caring for griffon vultures, and help at the feeding area. Volunteers will document the actions by taking photographs and making videos, which will convey to the public the importance and beauty of the work to protect vultures and to raise awareness.
Volunteer’s place of work: Cres, Plavnik, Krk, Prvić
Volunteering period: July 1 – August 31, 2026. The minimum expected time that a volunteer can spend in the position is three weeks (recommended and preferred is one month).
Volunteer working hours: 7 hours a day, 5 working days a week (volunteering is usually done on weekends, and two days off are most often during the week), the choice of working days will depend on the weather forecast. In the event that in certain weeks the weather conditions will not allow for work on volunteer activities, volunteers will have more days off in those weeks, which they will volunteer in other weeks when the weather conditions are more suitable for inflatable boat ride.
What kind of volunteer are we looking for?
The volunteer should be a communicative and patient person who is able to ride a inflatable boat every day (if you have problems with seasickness, then unfortunately this position is not for you), should know how to swim and be physically agile so that she can assist in rescuing griffon vulture chicks from the sea if necessary.
What skills will the volunteer acquire and improve?
Through this program, the volunteer will have the opportunity to further develop their communication and educational skills, as well as their physical fitness. The volunteer will be able to increase their knowledge about griffon vultures, their protection, and the island of Cres.
What languages should a volunteer know?
Active knowledge of Croatian and English is required, but volunteering is also possible for people who are not from Croatia.
How many volunteers are we looking for?
Minimum 2 adult volunteers.
What equipment should a volunteer have?
The volunteer should have appropriate field footwear and clothing (sturdy shoes such as boots, clothing suitable for being on a boat, protection from the sun and wind).
Is it possible for people with disabilities to volunteer in this volunteer position?
Volunteering is possible for people who are hard of hearing and visually impaired, depending on the level of impairment. All interested parties can contact Biom individually at volonteri@biom.hr to find out more information about volunteering and to jointly assess whether volunteering is possible. Due to the demanding nature of the terrain and the type of volunteer activities, volunteering cannot be provided for people with motor and intellectual disabilities.
What kind of education will the volunteers have?
The volunteer will receive instructions on how to communicate with boaters and citizens about proper behavior near nesting colonies of griffon vultures, as well as instructions on proper boarding and disembarking from a inflatable boat. During the volunteering period, the volunteer will also be educated on approaching griffon vultures and how to remove a griffon vulture chick from the sea.
Where will volunteers be housed during the volunteering period?
Accommodation for the volunteer is provided and free of charge. The volunteer will be accommodated in the Visitor Center and recovery center for griffon vultures Beli in town Beli on the island of Cres in a double room. The volunteer should bring their own sleeping bag, and if they does not have one, Biom will provide it. In the center there is a kitchen with a fridge, microwave and stove. The water in the center is not drinkable.
What about food costs?
Daily allowances of 30 euros per working day are provided for the volunteer.
…and what about transportation costs?
The volunteer will be covered for the return trip by public transport from their place of residence/stay to Cres. Also, during working days, the volunteer will be provided with transportation by inflatable boat from the port in Beli on the island of Cres to nearby nesting colonies of griffon vultures, marinas and other key locations. The boat will be operated by a licensed skipper. Depending on the project budget, we may be able to provide funds to reimburse the costs of the volunteer’s return trip by car to Cres as well as the cost of local driving for the purpose of carrying out volunteer activities (e.g. informing citizens in local marinas), but this will be determined after the volunteer is selected.
Will volunteers receive any other compensation?
Volunteers will not receive any other monetary compensation for volunteering. Volunteering contracts will be signed with volunteers and volunteers will receive volunteering certificates after completing their volunteering. Volunteers will also receive a volunteer package (t-shirt, hat, notebook, thermos mug, cloth bag).
How much free time do volunteers have?
Volunteers have 2 free days per week which they can spend relaxing on local beaches (we highly recommend Lubenice), exploring the surrounding area, hiking, observing griffon vultures in the recovery center, and enjoying all the other charms of summer on the island of Cres.
This all sounds great! How can I apply? If you like the volunteer position listed, send us your CV and motivation letter to volonteri@biom.hr by 20.4.2026. We will conduct interviews with a shortlisted candidates during the second half of April and will notify candidates of their selection in early May.
