Full project title:
Volunteer for Nature 2023
Project code: 2022-1-HR01-ESC51-VTJ-000068122
Duration:
01/07/2022 – 29/02/2024
Total budget: 60 584,00 €
Association Biom budget:
Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes:
60 584,00 €
Lead partner:
Association Biom
Partners:
Public institution „Priroda“ (Croatia)
Public institution Park prirode Vransko jezero (Croatia)
Bouworde vzw (Belgium)
Globala Kronoberg (Sweden)
Parcours Le Monde – IDF (France)
League of Youth Voluntary Service (Belarus)
Asociacion Juvenil Intercambia (Spain)
Contact:
Đina Nola, djina.nola@biom.hr, project lead
Project goals
To monitor the state of nature components and implement conservation measures, including restoring natural ecosystems, with the goal of preserving biodiversity and our natural heritage for future generations.
To build a generation of conservation leaders who are able to take the initiative and become change makers in their communities.
To increase general public’s understanding of and involvement in nature protection.
Project summary
In 2023, Volunteer for Nature gathered two groups of young people with one goal: to protect nature and grow into future advocates through practical experience. The project brought together five long-term ESC volunteers from Spain, Sweden, France, Belarus, and Croatia who joined Biom in our Zagreb and Sinj offices – and later, a short-term volunteer team working intensively in Vransko Lake Nature Park
Long-term volunteers in Zagreb and Sinj offices
As a part of the project Volunteer for Nature 2023, they contributed to a wide range of tasks that combined direct conservation work, public outreach, and personal development – carried out across various locations in Croatia, including Lastovo and Učka Nature Parks, island of Cres, Dinara and Velebit Mountains, Plitvice Lakes and Brijuni National Parks, and in the cities of Sinj and Zagreb.
One of the key areas of engagement was field research and the implementation of conservation measures. The volunteers were assisting with field studies of birds, including endangered species, following scientific methodologies in protected areas of Croatia.They contributed to monitoring of sea birds and removal of invasive species on Lastovo Islands. They supported nature conservation efforts by handling scientific data, such as sound and camera trap data analysis, contributing to the development of research-based solutions. Activities also included restoration of ponds and dry stone walls on Dinara and restoration of overgrown grasslands on Učka. As part of their experience at the Ornithological Camp Učka, volunteers had the opportunity to learn about small migratory bird ringing. They spent their summer months in Beli Visitor Centre and Rescue Centre for Griffon Vultures, where they engaged in Griffon Vulture rescue and rehabilitation operations, which are crucial for preserving the last remaining Griffon Vulture colony in Croatia. During the project, the volunteers had the opportunity to learn about the state of different nature components and ways of preserving biodiversity all around the country.
Another important focus of the project was education and public outreach. This consisted of creating, assisting and delivering educational content and popularisation of nature conservation. The volunteers took part in a series of public engagement, awareness raising, non-formal education, and community building events. They helped coordinate events hosted by Biom or organised their own events such as interactive games or workshops for children, youth and the general public. In the office they worked on the production of digital promotional and non-formal educational materials for Biom’s website and social media. During such activities, the volunteers researched current environmental and biodiversity topics. Volunteers shared their story on their blog about the volunteers’ ESC journey.
Throughout the project, volunteers were also given the opportunity to grow personally and professionally through structured and informal learning.They engaged in a wide range of tasks in different locations, acquiring knowledge about scientific methodology, doing activities that contribute to nature conservation, while improving their environmental knowledge and ability to share the messages of biodiversity challenges. The volunteers also had the opportunity to attend Croatian language lessons as well as soft-skills development sessions which focused on skills like team work, adaptability, communication and problem solving. These sessions, along with the overall volunteer experience – both in the field and in the office – aimed to gently strengthen the volunteers’ sense of initiative and inspire them to take action for positive change in the future.
Short-term volunteering in Vransko Lake Nature Park
In September 2023, a group of eleven volunteers from Belgium and Croatia gathered for two weeks in Nature Park Vransko jezero as part of the Solidarity for Natural Heritage programme. The first week focused on restoring dry stone walls and clearing overgrown vegetation. The volunteers learned the traditional craft of dry stone wall building and restored a section of the historic Modrave area of Vransko Lake Nature Park. In the second week, activities shifted to the Ornithological reserve, focusing on flooded meadow restoration, hay collection, bush clearing, and trail maintenance. Participants also educated park visitors about these activities and the importance of the project.
Materials and publications
