Discover Croatia - Think Green, Act for Future!

Project description:
Are you committed to conservation issues? Want to help build a cleaner, greener future? Do you like to discover new countries?
In the Cave park Grabovača, volunteers will be able to get answer on all of the three questions and help the Public institution to profile main aims – nature protection, education of local people and creating a sustainable base for developing this part of Croatia. We offer environmental volunteer programs with a social commitment, regardless of age, gender, religion, nationality or profession, in control and protection activities of Protected Areas; research and conservation of karst ecosystem's; awareness and environmental education, and the fight against lack of environmental awareness.The four main areas that volunteers will be involved in are environmental education, natural resources management, environmental cleanup and helping in developing/building new touristic attractions for the kids in the park.
The project also aim to break down barriers between people and to develop international understanding.
Cave park Grabovača is looking for dynamic, creative, forward looking, dedicated and results-oriented volunteers who want to work in nature and in field of nature conservation. Participants at all levels of experience can contribute valuable help to a project; the most important qualifications are that volunteers be willing to get their hands dirty and spend time outdoors. Volunteers who are curious about biodiversity and sustainable practices will discover that these project is both - educational and inspiring.

Project activities:

1. Discovery Area – be part in the creation of the new touristic offer for the kids in the Cave park (Design, build);
2. Educational Activities - Create awareness and appreciation about the nature, learning about karst, history of Croatia etc.
3. Participation in workshops about karst, water in karst, karst forms, ecological problems in karst etc.
4. Learning the basic of speleology
5. Helping local's residents in their daily activities
6. Learning Croatian language
7. Children Programmes – school of foreign language for local kids
8. Publications - Write, edit and design of Volunteer newsletter and volunteer blog
9. Design and artwork - Provide design services for our promotional and educational materials such as posters, banners, signs and interactive media programmes.

Volunteers would have the opportunity to learn and adopt the following skills:
1.Base of theoretical knowledge about the concept, origin and types of karst relief; base of theoretical and practical knowledge for monitoring of bats and speleological objects;
2. Introduction to the basic assumptions of karst protection issues and finding solutions to these problems:
3. To increase environmental and social awareness of participants;
4. Develop communication, organizational and administrative skills;
5. Basic working skills in field research (working on GPS, mapping, navigation in nature,monitoring);
6. Introduction to the work and the notion of of protected areas;
7. Getting acquainted with local tradition and mentality;
8. Learn the basics of the Croatian language;
9. Acquire skills to work in a team;
10. Acquire a sense of independence, self-initiative;
11. Acquire work experience.
We expect to host 15 participants ie. Volunteers.
Volunteers will be staying in a creative environment and will therefore be able to direct their ideas to improve park services for users. Volunteers will be in direct communication with visitors of the Cave park. For each proposed activities volunteers will be divided in groups, according to their skills and interest, and each group will be working one part of the activity.
In order to become a partner in this project you must comply with the following criteria:
 high motivation, inovative
 aged of participant over 18
 team workers, desire to work in the nature and field research
- communication skills, good knowledge of English language
 represent fully registered NGO/Institution which has PIC number and uploaded registration documents to URF portal
 You are legally established in a country belonging to one of the following groups:
- the 27 EU member states
As a part of the project all volunteers will visit (within several one-day excursions) the Cave Samograd, Kuterevo-refuge for bears, Old town Perušić, river Lika (boating), Center for fruit processing - Perušić, Centre for horseback riding.
Near the Cave park are several Nature and National parks (within 50km) - NP „Plitvice lakes“, NP „North Velebit“, Nature park „Velebit“, Memorial centre „Nikola Tesla“, Adventure park „Rizvan city“. Adriatic sea is 1 hour of driving from the Cave park (Zadar, Karlobag, Senj...).
Important:
Work experience is not necessary, everything what you need is a desire to work in protected area and dealing with matters concerning on environmental protection.
Together with your application please send a motivation letter.

Deadline for application the project is 1st of Octobre 2015.
Also, please forward this call to any person, organization or network you deem possibly interested.
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact me.
We wish you good luck and we look forward to our future partnership in this great project!
If you are interested to be part of our project and to stay in Croatia for one month, please contact me: jelena.milkovic@pp-grabovaca.hr
Best regards,
Jelena Milković, Public institution „Cave park Grabovača“

www.pp-grabovaca.hr