Project name:
Spread your wings
Project duration
01/02/2019- 31/05/2020
Total project budget: 9 750 €
Association Biom budget: Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes: 9 750
Lead beneficiary:
Association Biom
Project partners:
Wild Futures (United Kingdom)
Contact:
Đina Nola, djina.nola[at]biom.hr, voditelj projekta
Project goals:
Increasing our reach to a broader audience and inspiring more people to engage in and take action for nature conservation.
Contribute to the development of creative and competent leaders for the future through positive interaction, meaningful experiences and the promotion of informal learning methods.
Promoting collaboration while acting towards nature protection and the creation of a sustainable, more inclusive, and better world.
Project summary
In 2019, Biom hosted a young volunteer from the United Kingdom for a one-year volunteering experience within the Spread Your Wings project, part of the European Solidarity Corps. The volunteer became an integral part of our work, contributing to nature conservation, education about biodiversity and public outreach across Croatia.
Throughout the year, he explored many different aspects of conservation – through work in the field, teamwork in the office, and learning through real-life situations. He was involved in organising and assisting with ornithological monitoring, including seabird, owl and rockface nesting species monitoring, as well as identifying power lines dangerous to birds. His efforts directly supported Biom’s ongoing work in protecting wild bird species and their habitats.
He played a key role in volunteer activities, supporting local and international actions like World Cleanup Day, habitat restoration activities, and different citizen science projects. At the habitat restoration camp in Nature park Učka he helped coordinate group activities and provided support to other volunteers, often stepping into a mentoring role.
In addition to conservation work, he was actively involved in public outreach and education. He helped organise events and birdwatching tours in Zagreb, which gathered over 160 participants and brought nature closer to the public, encouraging broader participation in environmental protection. He also contributed to the creation of new volunteering opportunities within the ESC programme.
Beyond the conservation impact, this was also a meaningful personal experience. Through everyday challenges and teamwork, he strengthened his communication and coordination skills, deepened his understanding of environmental work, and gained confidence in his ability to contribute to something bigger. The project opened new perspectives, not just for him, but for all those he worked with.
