Conservation and Community Development Volunteer Projects

Each project runs for two weeks and is operated in partnership with well-established local organizations including non profit and private groups, government departments and local grassroots groups or researchers. Projects are based in various locations throughout the country. Each volunteer project team will be supervised and directed by professional staff from the host organization and an ISV project leader. The volunteer team will consist of around 8 - 15 like minded people. *Please note that certain projects only operate on specific program dates.*

ISV will send you a Project Overview prior to departing to Croatia, and you’ll gain all the skills and training you need to participate fully in all aspects of the program. Prepare to be challenged in a safe, comfortable and fun setting where you will learn so much about the environment and culture in this part of Eastern Europe! 

Accommodations during projects vary considerably. All your meals (3 per day) are provided during the volunteer project and reflect the local cuisine. Don’t worry! You don’t need to be able to speak Croatian, but some basic knowledge of the language is helpful.

Volunteer Host Organizations

• Eco Centre Caput Insulae Beli
• Orphan Bear Project Kuterevo
  

Eco-Centre Caput Insulae Beli (ECCIB): ECCIB is a non-governmental and not-for-profit organization established in 1993 in order to protect the Eurasian Griffon Vultures, as well as the whole natural and historical heritage on the island of Cres. It conducts its mission to protect and preserve natural biodiversity and work towards the protection of original values and cultural-historical heritage, through seven main programs: Eurasian Griffon Vulture protection; volunteer; education; interpretation; biodiversity preservation; preservation of historical heritage; and eco-tourism.

Volunteers will work on such tasks as:

• Monitoring griffon vulture populations around the
  island and caring for wounded birds
• Restoring stonewalls to help mitigate strong winds and erosion, also helping local farmers to contain sheep
• Cleaning of freshwater ponds on the island to maintain biodiversity and provide drinking water for sheep and Griffons
• Marking and maintaining eco-trails for visitors
• Assisting the local people to maintain traditional
  lifestyles by picking olives and shearing sheep
• Guiding day-visitors through the interpretation centre’s exhibitions of griffon, vultures, natural biodiversity of Cres, and historical background on the village Beli and Tramuntana
• Making souvenirs, such as necklaces using griffon feathers, and greeting cards, for sale in the shop with profits being donated towards the protection of griffon vultures (rainy day activity)

As a volunteer you will be involved in all programs to facilitate an understanding of the diversity of nature protection. In addition Centre staff will lead you on various destination hikes, including a boat trip around the island, to view nesting vultures and learn more about the Continental and Mediterranean environments.

Refugee Centre for Orphan Bears, Kuterevo: In 2001 the community of Kuterevo came together to contribute to the preservation of Brown Bears in Croatia. The Project is based in the mountain village of Kuterevo which borders the North Velebit National Park. The centre includes several enclosures for orphan bears that have lost their mothers and require immediate care before being released back into the wild. The community runs an education program aimed at increasing the public’s awareness of brown bears and campaigning for the protection of them and their habitat. The program also aims to promote the sustainable living traditions of the local mountain community, who have lived in the area for many generations. Larger enclosures with walking trails are being constructed in the surrounding forests to facilitate the re-introduction of the bears back into their natural environment.