Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
We at Sunce truly believe in this saying, because it is exactly how our organization was born – a small group of passionate individuals believed they could make a difference in protecting nature and the environment within their community. Over 25 years, we have grown into an organization that has been enabling both local and international volunteers to collaborate with us to make the world a better place. From 2016 until today, 19 volunteers have left their mark through the European Voluntary Service, which in 2019 evolved into what is now known as the European Solidarity Corps program.
What are the European Solidarity Corps?
To understand what the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) program entails, we first need to understand the concept of solidarity itself.
Language portals offer many definitions, as solidarity is one of those concepts to which people can attach personal meaning based on their own experiences. It involves selfless help and cooperation with other people, communities, or the environment, and the conscious effort to contribute to improving existing conditions. According to the Croatian language portal, words associated with a “solidary” person include: tolerant, united, empathetic, socially sensitive, principled, humble, truthful, patient, reconciled, close, selfless, benevolent…
Volunteering can be described in almost the same way. It is at the heart of the European Solidarity Corps program, which promotes volunteering as a means to strengthen solidarity within a community. This valuable European Union initiative allows young people to volunteer across Europe, enriching their own lives while positively impacting the communities they serve. Individual volunteering can last from two to twelve months, and at Sunce, we typically focus on year-long projects.
Solidarity for Green Dalmatia
In 2021, we applied for multi-year accreditation to implement ESC projects and have since held the Quality Label. This accreditation allows us to run projects both as a host organization and as a coordinating organization, and it enables us to support Croatian volunteers participating in international projects.
Every year, under the ESC program, we run the Solidarity for Green Dalmatia project, where volunteers help achieve the vision of a “greener” Dalmatia through volunteering and participation in solidarity-based activities.
The volunteering program is structured around four main activities:
- Organizing and delivering educational activities aimed at creating positive change in the community.
- Encouraging active engagement through the creation, development, and distribution of communication materials.
- Bringing the local community together through public events (exhibitions, celebrations, the annual Split Biking Tour, etc.).
- Improving existing Sunce activities and projects based on research of best practices related to environmental protection and sustainable development.
What have we achieved so far?
The project’s overarching goals include raising public awareness about the importance of environmental protection, nature conservation, and sustainable development, promoting volunteering and other core program values, and facilitating personal and professional growth for volunteers. Through multiple completed projects, we can proudly say that we have achieved these goals while positively impacting our community, and volunteers have returned home with a wealth of new skills and experiences.
Educational activities for various age groups are usually conducted under the mentorship and presence of Sunce educators. Volunteers gain knowledge on topics such as composting and waste separation, marine habitats and protected species, sustainable practices like beeswax wrap-making, and more. They then share this knowledge with workshop participants.
To engage the community and encourage active participation, volunteers have also created publications such as eco-calendars, brochures with ideas for sustainable crafts, program and city guides, and more. They have designed logos, flyers, infographics, and even Sunce membership cards!
Volunteers have also contributed to spreading sustainable ideas, creating opportunities for young people, and promoting volunteering through articles they have written, such as:
- “Unlocking youth potential: opportunities and insights for young people in Split”
- “Sunce’s ESC volunteer from North Macedonia fell in love with Hajduk and learned the importance of sustainable living”
- “Pedal power: the benefits of choosing a bicycle over a car”.
Volunteers support the organization of public events, helping with logistics and execution. Among Sunce’s most popular events is the Split Biking Tour, promoting sustainable transport alternatives. We are particularly proud of the monthly Swap Fair, launched by our ESC volunteers, which has been running successfully for three years. Volunteers have also spearheaded sewing workshops, Sunce pub quizzes, and educational film screenings called Zavrti film (Eng. Spin the Film).
For each volunteer, it is essential to feel that their contribution is meaningful and that their efforts have purpose. Our volunteers often emphasize that personal projects – carried out under Sunce’s mentorship – are what help them most. Each volunteer at Sunce spends several months participating in projects on different topics to become familiar with as many areas of environmental and nature protection as possible. Then, based on their personal preferences, skills, and interests, they design and carry out their own individual projects. Three years ago, creative volunteers painted eco-murals in schools, while another volunteer, inspired by her zero-waste lifestyle, held several workshops for students on that very topic. Last year, a graphic design volunteer created a complete website about endangered marine animals, and a law student volunteer organized an international study trip for over 30 students from North Macedonia.
Recognized nationally and across Europe
Each ESC member state has a national body responsible for overseeing Erasmus and ESC projects. In Croatia, this is the Agency for Mobility and EU Programs, which monitors and evaluates our projects. All of our projects have received consistently high evaluations.
Back in 2017, our GoGreen Dalmatia – Nature protection & sustainable development in Dalmatia project under the European Voluntary Service received an impressive 95/100 points. We have continued to successfully implement ESC projects, such as in 2019, when the project scored 92 points with the feedback:
“The project is considered a good practice example, particularly due to the quality of activities and its alignment with environmental protection goals. The organization is commended for promoting volunteering and program opportunities, as well as supporting volunteers in other countries. Expanding the organization’s activities through solidarity projects is also notable.”
The same score was awarded in 2022, with the note:
“Due to its contribution to environmental protection and sustainable development, and the reach of project activities in the community, evidenced by significant social media engagement, the project is considered a good practice example.”
More information about Solidarity for Green Dalmatia as a good practice example is available on the Agency’s website under Environment and climate action projects.
Furthermore, our projects have been featured in two European publications: Building hope: Europe’s solidarity with Ukraine, highlighting 15 projects that positively impacted Ukrainians, and Collection of Green Projects for Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps, where our project is listed as one of 12 best-practice examples of green initiatives.
Thanks to these successful projects, we look forward to future opportunities for growth and impact. We are grateful to everyone who has been part of this solidarity journey!